How to setup your XP from scratch!!!

[gorski]

Somebody asked me, after I sorted her PC from scratch, if I could have talked her through it over the phone... I guess it's possible but not easy... I mean, it takes a whole day or more, depending on how much stuff you have and what your needs are, how efficient/experienced you are etc. Plus, it differs a bit, from one machine to another, from one OS to another, although the same principles apply, of course...

So, I tried to paint an overall picture and if that helps some of you who don't have anyone in the vicinity and/or no money to pay for it, here is - broadly - "how to"...

Thanx to some guys from ex-YU who posted the screenshots, so I incorporated it into the text I have written, with a few comments by them, that are self-explanatory anyway... but hey... better safe than sorry... mgblinky:

Good luck!

========================================

Step 0:

If you had some problems with your HDD's bad sectors etc. put this CD in your CD or DVD drive and boot [restart your PC] from it.

Choose which programs you need to repair your PC's HDD etc. - like the HDD Regenerator proggy etc.

Hiren Boot 8.5 [8.6 is the current version] is here:

h**p://rapidshare.de/files/37536432/Hirens.BootCDv8.5.rar

It's an .iso file, which you burn with your burning SW onto a CD and put into your machine, then boot and see what you wanna do - which SW to use to check what might be wrong...

Your PC will boot from it, no matter of the condition your HDD is at right now. Choose the HDD Regenerator SW to do it and voila!

Remember, sometimes, in some bad cases, it might be working for days! It will not just hide your bad sectors, it will restore them properly.

But, as I'm being told by pros, if you have more than just a few bad ones - throw it away, it ain't worth it. Buy a new one, these days they are quite cheap!

================================

Step 1:

Install it all from scratch as briefly and roughly described bellow.

Collect all your CD's that came with your PC, you need the XP and your drivers for both the PC and your peripherals, like scanners, printers etc.

Unplug all the stuff you have connected to the USB and other ports, except the monitor, mouse and keys.

If you can: open the machine [normally the left side when you're facing it] and take your memory sticks out for a minute or two. Put it back in, then plug the PC back into electricity.

Start your PC.

[Now, remember that not all PC's are the same and there are possible variations to the general theme... But this should suffice to get you the overall picture of how to redo your OS from scratch and then... it's up to you...]

The booting sequence:

When booting immediately start clicking on either DEL, F2, F11 or F12 [in most cases, anyhow] to enter BIOS [there's a chip on your motherboard and it's programmed in a certain way - it makes possible for it all to work in a certain way...].

There, among other things, you can set it up so it boots from a CD first. You need that [besides a bootable CD or DVD] to install it all anew! Just read carefully what you see on your monitor/screen and use your arrows/cursors to move to the Boot panel and then whatever is necessary to change the booting sequence [either + or - or maybe Page Up or Down?]. Then Save and Exit [sometimes it's F10 and sometimes something else but it is written just in front of you - PATIENCE!!!].

So, save the changes/confirm, so the machine reboots, this time with your XP disk in the CD or DVD drive. Press Enter when prompted by "Press Enter to boot from a CD".

:newyear:

 

[gorski]

Ergo step 2:

Put your XP disk in the CD or DVD drive.

Reboot.

Press Enter when prompted by "Press Enter [or "any key"] to boot from a CD".

Btw, do not do it any more, later on, because when your PC finishes with the first part of the installation it will offer you to boot from a CD again, if you do not take the CD out. A common mistake to make - do not do it twice! Leaving a CD in, on the other hand, might help you later, if there are special settings for your XP you want installed. Just remember not to do it again, after the first time!

You will have a number of choices now. To Repair [never do that!] or Install afresh [yes!!] and then there are ways of doing it.

If you get this click on F8:

 

[gorski]

1) Delete the partitions [D, then Enter, then L - in most cases, anyhow]

2) Create them by pressing C [determine the size for each one you create]

2a) one partition for the OS and proggies {about 12.6 Gig, some 13.000 meg, at least, methinx, which is 12.6 Gig - my advice: nothing else goes on that one} +

2b) the other partition for all your data

2c) depending on the size of your HDD you can have a partition for Audio Visual stuff, another for Docs etc.

3) Install the OS, Windows XP in this case, on the Partition C by pressing Enter

Then it will ask you how to format the Partition and choose NTFS - Quick if you're in a hurry, if not let it do it carefully, the longer way.

 

[gorski]

Wait a bit 'till it does it:

The file copying is next:

The next screen:

When it's done you'll see this:

 

[gorski]

This time don't touch the keyboard when you see the screen bellow!!!

Windows are starting for the first time:

The installation continues:

Various components are being installed next:

 

[gorski]

Step 3:

Install and configure your XP as needed [just follow the prompts - it's all easy, from choosing a time zone you're in or adding a language or keyboard setup etc.]... If you are not sure about something let Windows choose for you [WORKGROUP in Networking section etc. - see bellow]. Or decline the offer [like trying to go to the net immediately - stuff like that, i.e. connecting to the net etc. comes later; hopefully, you'll be prepared to do it by having an Anti Virus and Firewall SW at hand before you go on the net]...

Adding a language is under Languages -> Details -> Add, if memory serves... Also, Remove the default one, if you don't need it [US] and voila!

Just follow the prompts... XP Pro doesn't need it, so no such screen comes up... Well, the well hacked versions, too...

If you must... hehe...

 

[gorski]

Name your PC and put in the Admin password!!! Important for NETWORK configuration later - or rather "sometimes", if you use the Remote Desktop function, that is... or just to protect your stuff...

The Time Zone...

Network card now...

Just leave the Default configuration, if you're not sure or if you don't have the need for it...

 

[gorski]

However, if you do need it - name your WORKGROUP:

A bit more of watching the paint dry...:nana:

And a bit more...

 

[gorski]

Registering it all now...

Saving it all...

Restarting is automatic now. Your bare Windows await for your help now...

Just click on Next...

 

[gorski]

Then skip:

Never mind the Registration [not compulsory!]:

Name yourself and potential other users:

And then the triumphalist finish:

 

[gorski]

Choose your account [must be logged into the Admin account to make any big changes, major installations that would be used by any user etc.]

At this point you might wanna use a crack to make your copy legit, if it ain't... Oh, well, the greater part of Humanity is forced to do it - by poverty... Something the MacroHard group can not be accused of...:nana:

==================NOW THEN===================

...for your next trick, put in the drivers that came with your machine [Recovery/Support CD], for your specific HW to operate properly, although most HW already has the drivers included in the XP bundle...

In other words, there may be special drivers for your motherboard [included on your motherboard you may have Audio, LAN and other circuits], then your PCI stuff, like your graphics and other cards etc. and then some SW included in the bundle [like Acrobat Reader etc.].

Add your extra machines, i.e. peripherals, like printers, scanners etc. in the usual manner described in the Manuals that came with them. Easy-peasy!

Before going to the net install an anti virus SW, like KAV or Anti-Vir, plus a firewall like Outpost Free by Agnitum or Zone Alarm, which are free for personal use. A note: they need to be stopped/"exited" sometimes, when installing your modem and then as soon you're on the net - activate them immediately, then update and - good luck!!

Btw, I also use Spybot, Spywareblaster and other SW that helps against the idiots on the net. See my other post on the subject:

Free and necessary in this hobby!!! Protect your PCs and Macs

Update them all regularly with the latest definitions of IT immaturity and idiocy [some people writing viruses and trojans, diallers and all that crap are to be pitied!:nana:] and let them [security SW, like AV and Spybot] run occasionally/regularly to check your machine.

Also, after cleaning, defragment!

Defragmenting:

My Computer -> right click on a partition/drive [like C] -> Properties -> Tools -> Defragment now -> ****yse -> just do it...mgblinky:

======================================


A way of installing a missing driver [code 28 or something like that]:

Right click on My Computer [if it's on your Desktop, if not right click on My PC icon in the Start menu and Show on/Send to Desktop] -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager

If something is not OK it usually is marked with a yellow question mark and a comment I put in the bracket above.

Right click on it -> Update Driver or Properties.

Have the disk with the drivers in your CD or DVD drive and then let XP search for it.

If not XP may want to go to the net to try to do it. Most of the time it will be unsuccessful. Good luck with that...

=======================================

The final version of Firefox2.0

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Configuring your Mozilla Firefox browser for greater efficiency/speed:

FireFox Exploit Amazing

FireFox Load Time

1. Type "about:config" into the address bar and hit return. Scroll down and look for the following entries:

"network.http.pipelining"
"network.http.proxy.pipelining"
"network.http.pipelining.maxrequests"

Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time.
When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading.

2. Alter the entries as follows:

Set "network.http.pipelining" to "true"

Set "network.http.proxy.pipelining" to "true"

Set "network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to some number like 8. This
means it will make 8 requests at once.

3. Lastly right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer.
Name it "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set its value to "0".
This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it recieves.

If you're using a brodband connection you'll load pages 2-3 times faster now.

Btw, altering these entries is easy - simple double click would do, I think.

If a value must be in numbers - you'll see it.

The last one needs doing twice: first paste the "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" in and then set it to "0", as suggested...

You're flying now...:emot51:

 

[gorski]

Plus, in addition:

Firefox Tweak Guide

h**p://www.tweakguides.com/Firefox_8.html

FireTune for Mozilla Firefox was developed for an optimization of your browsing experience with Firefox. It is based on a collection of popular and well working optimization settings used and tested by the experts. Usually you have to optimize Firefox manually, which can be time consuming and difficult for the novice user. FireTune helps you here--it includes all the performance optimizations.

Version 1.1.3 is compatible with Firefox2

h**p://www.download.com/FireTune-for-Firefox/3000-11745_4-10383402.html?tag=tip-2505461

Also:

h**ps://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/

- to download videos from Youtube etc. arty:

Download videos from Youtube, Google, Metacafe, iFilm, Dailymotion, Pornotube... and other 60+ video sites ! And all embedded objects on a webpage (movies, mp3s, flash, quicktime, etc)! Directly!

VideoDownloader add a small icon on the status bar at the bottom of your Firefox window, and a toolbar button. Just click that and download the video you are watching!

Since we're talking about grabbing videos from the net, here's another one:

YouTube Grabber 1.0.0.1 - find it on the net... BUT I MUST WARN YOU TO INFORM YOURSELVES ABOUT IT, AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THIS IS A PIECE OF - SPYWARE!!! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Everything you need to download and watch YouTube videos on your computer.
YouTube Grabber is a free tool that downloads FLV files from youtube. Simply copy and paste the URL of a video from youtube into the program, press grab OR enter, and the file will be downloaded into the same directory as the program.

FLV Player 1.3.3

FLV Player is based on Flash Player 8 and utilises the default Macromedia FLV Playback component, which uses a slightly customised skin (blue instead of green highlights).

Flash Video Splitter 1.0.0.1

Flash Video Splitter or FLV (the format used to display video in Flash content) Splitter helps to watch .FLV files locally.

=================================

Some more tips re. free SW:

DVD Shrink [I have v. 3.2] can reduce the size of your DVD while copying it, regardless of the fact that it might be protected in that regard, all the time maintaining the same format 100%...

Install Nero, then DVD Shrink, start DVD Shrink, choose the DVD to copy and resize, click on the TOP menu, where the WHOLE movie is contained, then BACKUP and wait for a while...

It'll preview it, then shrink while copying it to your HDD and then use Nero to burn it...

All stuck on automatic!arty:

NJOY!!!:newyear:

 

[gorski]

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeewaaaaaaaaaaaaaaareeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In case one has an official laptop or PC or Mac and can't or won't put in the cracked SW...:thum:

A copy of my message from other forums:

_http://www.freewarearena.com/

- info

_http://www.webattack.com/

- more info

===========ANTI-VIRUS FREEWARE!!!============

Powered by Kaspersky Lab, one of the largest anti-virus providers, worldwide.

Advanced detection technology to help stop known and new viruses, spyware and other malware before they attack you.

Always-on, automatically checks for updates every hour- providing real-time scanning and protection against virus threats

Easy-to-install, works with most Windows® operating systems. (Windows 98, 2000, ME & XP)

Free to everyone- No AOL [Arseholes On Line ] subscription required

Coming Soon - Active Virus Shield for Vista

_[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]w*w.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp[/U][/COLOR]

--------------------------------------------------------

http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

- yet another gratis AV SW!! You can find there Registry Mechanic and a few other things...

--------------------------------------------------------

_[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]w*w.free-av.com/[/U][/COLOR]

You can see this:

Free Products
[LIST]
[*][COLOR=#ffcc00][U]Avira AntiVir PE [/U][/COLOR]
[*][COLOR=#ffcc00][U]Avira UnErase[/U][/COLOR]
[*][COLOR=#ffcc00][U]Avira NTFS4DOS[/U][/COLOR][/LIST]

=============FIREWALL FREEWARE=========

_http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php

- gratis firewall (the best, it seems!!! ), no spywarea, unlike ZA

Read before you use ZA:

_http://www.multiproxy.org/board/1474.shtml

- weeping is optional....

_http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=GB&lang=en

- ZA

=========MAC SECURITY FREEWARE=========

_http://www.defyne.org/agax/#download

- Agax antivirus 4 Mac

Mac firewalls:

_http://www.securemac.com/firewallsecurityshareware.php

Brickhouse has good reviews:

_http://personalpages.tds.net/~brian_hill/brickhouse.html

=============ANTI-SPY SW============

_http://www.panicware.com/

- Popup Stopper is FREEWARE! (at least it used to be...)

---------------------------------------------

_http://www.webroot.com

- Windows Washer cleanses Temporary & cookies foldere etc. etc., easy to configure; Spy Sweeper is there also...

---------------------------------------------

_http://security.kolla.de/news.php?lang=en

- SpyBot is an excellent additional layer of protection (dialers etc. etc.)... From laguages onwards, easy to configure! Startup Menu is an easy and great way of controlling your programs starting when booting. Warmly recommended!!!!

---------------------------------------------

I nealrly forgot the Sypewareblaster, protector of your IE and Firefox...

Spyware, adware, browser hig*jackers, and dialers are some of the fastest-growing threats on the Internet today.

By simply browsing to a web page, you could find your computer to be the brand-new host of one of these unwanted fiends!

The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.

Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hig*jackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software.
Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.

Restrict the actions of potentially unwanted sites in Internet Explorer.

SpywareBlaster can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web.

And unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background.

SpywareBlaster is freeware for personal and educational use./quote]

_[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]w*w.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html[/U][/COLOR]

----------------------------------------------------

AdAware free version:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/download_and_buy/product_comparison_chart.php

========MORE FREEWARE COMPILATIONS========

In case I forgot of some good stuff and you need different SW/drivers etc....

_h**p://www.filehippo.com/

- freeware/drivers for it all... [ta V@NJ@!!!]

Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from MS:

h**p://www.hitspy.ru/2007/04/09/polnyjj_spisok_besplatnykh_programm_dlja_windowsrazrabotannykh_microsoft.html

- Microsoft has over 150 FREE Windows & Office Programs available for download -- finding them all is extremely difficult . . . until now.

http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-freeware-utilities/index.html

- a great compilation...

More freeware [dunno how good it is, though, not yet tested it myself]:

Spyware Terminator 1.7.0.899

Arovax Shield 1.3.15

CCleaner 1.36.430Some more good free-ware for windows

h**p://www.theorica.net/download.htm

Codex for all and everything

h**p://rapidshare.com/files/25977517/KLMCP171.rar

Thanx be to the big bosomed [= DD or Dig Deep] guy!!!!:thum:

============A FEW MORE NICE THINGIES=============

Your emails encrypted:

_[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]w*w.hushmail.com/[/U][/COLOR]

- 2 meg service used to be free...

Info:

_[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]h**p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hushmail[/U][/COLOR]

MSN encryption for free [when it's working with new versions of IE]:

_[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]w*w.secway.fr/us/products/simplite_msn/home.php?PARAM=us,ie[/U][/COLOR]

Also for other products:

[COLOR=#ffcc00][U]_w*w.secway.fr/us/products/all.php[/U][/COLOR]

NJOY!!!:thum:

 

[gorski]

All for free [and more] here:

www.filehippo.com

 

[rebhaf]

Thanks gorsky for these usefull post.:thum:
I am a little bit late to read your post which I found very instructive. The link you gave fot the boot is not available anymore, could you please post a new one?

 

[gorski]

Just Google for Hiren Boot.:thum: The last I know of is 9.5. Good luck!

http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

Torrent file here [first link]

http://www.9down.com/Hiren-s-BootCD-9-5-23765/

:thum:

 

[gorski]

To create a boot floppy disk visit Avira website and follow their instructions to the letter...:thum: