1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD into your CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer. Your computer BIOS (set-up) must be configured correctly to boot from cd as first boot option To do this...start your computer and enter set-up by pressing the appropriate key(usually F1, F2, Del) immediately when the POST screen shows...if your computer has a LOGO screen press ESC to show POST. While in the BIOS find the BOOT ORDER and change it to boot to CD first then Hard drive.
2. When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD.
3. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup.
4. Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then press F8.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Windows XP Setup.
Note*******************
a)You will need the motherboard driver files for your computer....they are on the drivers CD that came with the computer. If you do not have the CD or your computer originally came with a recovery partition then you can get the drivers from the computer manufacturer's website....find the website and under "support/downloads >drivers"...use your computer model number to assure that you get the correct files.
XP finds and installs most hardware drivers, but you will still need to update them.

b)If the Installation fails due to"cannot find harddrive"error, then you will need to install third party controller drivers for that motherboard to read your SATA harddrive. This is commonly known as SCSI drivers and can be found on the manufacturer's website....note that there are specific ways to do this so you will need to follow the directions from the manufacturer's website as to how to download and install to the proper media for use with your computer.
Once the disc or diskette is created set it aside and you will need to follow the installation proceedures over.

After the "press any key to boot to CD" prompt there will be another prompt "need to install third party or SCSI drivers press F6" press the F6 key and then use the CD or Diskette that you created with the proper files...continue to follow the prompts!

The different versions of installation discs are as follows:
1) Retail.....this is a full installation of the operating system which has special options for allowing the installation on different computers as you upgrade from time to time....usually about $250 US
2) Upgrade....this requires that a selected previous copy of an older version of windows has been installed on your computer. This version adapts your files and folders from the old version into XP....indoing so it also migrates troublesome issues as well.. usually about $90 US
3) OEM.....this is a full version of the operating system and is used by computer manufactures. It is not transferable to any other machine once installed. Generally one must buy a piece of qualifying hardware in order to purchase this version...usually about $140 US
4) Corporate... this version is the same as "Retail" but has capability to install on as many computers as required by the purchase of addition licenses. Usually only sold in quantities of 50 or more licenses.
5) Student and Teachers....this is a discounted Upgrade Version and you will need to PROVE that it is for a Student or Teacher or Academic Institution.
usually about $80 US.

Note****** each installation CD must be accompanied by a license or COA (certificate of authenticity)
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Beware of unscrupolous dealers that will sell these at super low prices...they are generally pirated versions and will not be able to be activated after the installation....Only buy from reputable dealers.