How to Install a Computer Operating System |
Ok, so the computer assembly has been completed and it is time to move on to the next step. I will need to hook up the power cable to the back of the computer system and plug it into a wall socket. It is advisable to use a surge protector when hooking up a computer and its components. I will also need to hook up the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I need to have my motherboard manual ready because this will guide me in the setup of the CMOS (BIOS). After the BIOS has been setup, I will then install windows XP and my computer will be fully functional. There are many different BIOS versions and motherboards that require different procedures for setup so I will only go over the basics. Always follow the Motherboard user guide when doing this.
(Note: These are some of the steps needed to take during this computer build and I had to follow the user guides that came with the motherboard and operating system to ensure proper installation.)
- Once I hooked everything up, it was time to start up the computer. (I start the computer by pressing the power button.)
- A couple of screens popped up and then I saw the Startup Screen and it looked like this. (Depending on the motherboard this screen will look different.) When this screen popped up I needed to hit the appropriate key to get into the CMOS Setup. (Example: F2, Delete, etc.)
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Startup Screen |
- When the CMOS screen opened, I saw a menu. I then needed to check the bios to make sure all of my components were showing up, the boot sequence was in the proper order, and that the time and date were set correctly. Once in the BIOS I came to a screen that looked like this (This depends on the motherboard and what BIOS is installed. Check the user guide for further instructions):
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BIOS main Screen |
- I first needed to go into the standard CMOS settings and check to make sure all of my Drives were there. I also set the date and time from this screen.
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Standard CMOS Screen |
- If all of the drives are not showing up, shut down the computer, disconnect the power supply to the computer and begin checking the drive(s) connections that are not showing up. Nine out of ten times it ends up being a connector that is not seated in all the way. After this is done, restart the computer and check to see if the drive is there. If it still is not being recognized, the computer will need further diagnosis that I will not be covering in this tutorial.
- After I make sure all of the drives I installed are there, I move on to the Advanced BIOS Features Screen and check the boot sequence.
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Advanced BIOS Screen |
- Once in the advanced BIOS screen, I press enter to proceed to check the boot sequence.
- The drive that I used to install my operating system had to be first in the boot sequence. Always check and follow the user guide that came with the motherboard for further setup instructions.
- I followed the user manual that came with my motherboard and set up the BIOS properly. I then saved my BIOS settings, and I am now ready to install my Operating System. I load my Operating System CD into the DVD drive that I set as number one in the boot sequence and restart my computer. (Note: I will not be using a RAID setup on the two hard drives that I have installed. If running a RAID setup, read the motherboard user manual and follow the instructions on how to set the RAID up before installing the operating system.) I came to a windows setup screen and began following the instructions for setting up my Operating System.
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Windows setup Screen |
- Always follow the user instruction guide that came with the windows, or any other Operating System CD. This will ensure the proper installation of your Operating System.
- After I have my Operating System Installed, I install the various driver CD’s that came with my computer components. These might not be the most up to date drivers, but they will be good enough to get the computer components operating properly. (Examples: Onboard Sound, Video Cards, Sound Cards, PhysXCards, etc.) Once I setup my internet I can go to the manufacturer’s websites of the components I have already installed to get the most up to date drivers.
- Next, I follow the Operating System User guide on how to Hook up my internet. This will ensure proper internet hookup.
- Once I have gotten this far, I give myself a pat on the back. I built my own computer from scratch!
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