In: Categories » Computers and technology » Windows Vista » Performing a Clean Windows Vista Install
|
The Windows Vista installation DVD is bootable and self-installing, so you need only put it into your DVD drive and reboot, and the installation program will launch. To configure your computer to boot off a DVD, you'll need to use your system's BIOS setup utility. When you first power on your machine, you'll see a text screen with a summary of your motherboard, processor, and installed memory. (If you see only a logo, try pressing the Esc or Tab key.) Here, you typically press F2, Delete, or some other key combination to "Enter Setup." (Refer to your PC's documentation for specifics.) Once you've entered the BIOS setup utility, go to the boot section and change the "boot device priority" or "boot sequence" so that your DVD drive appears before your hard disk. (Some computers offer a boot menu, usually accessible by pressing F12, which lets you choose to boot from CD/DVD without having to enter the BIOS.) Exit the BIOS setup screen when you're finished. You'll be prompted to type in your product key (find it on the DVD case or the retail box). Then you need to accept the license terms. You'll now come to a screen with two optionsto upgrade, or to perform a "Custom" install, which is the choice you'll make for a clean install. If you boot from the install disc, the Upgrade option will be grayed out. (For more details about doing an upgrade rather than a clean install, see the next section.)The next screen will allow you to choose a drive and partition on which to install Windows; in most cases, you'll have only a single drive and a single partition. Here, you'll have the option of installing onto an existing drive, making changes to your partition table, and formatting or deleting a partition. It's important to note that if you delete a partition that has data on it, all of the data will be erased. If you're installing on a clean system (with a new, empty hard disk), you'll want to create a new partition using all of the available space (or several partitions, as desired). If you're installing on a hard disk with data on it and you don't want to erase the data, simply select the desired partition (usually the first one, C:\). Note that if you've backed up your data, you can safely choose to delete your partition, create a new one, and install fresh. Although this does require the additional work involved in restoring your data, it results in a cleaner, usually faster, and more reliable installation. Choose the partition and click Next. The rest of the installation process should be fairly straightforward. Your PC will restart, possibly more than once; don't remove the DVD from the drive when it reboots, because your PC needs the DVD to complete the installation. The first time Windows Vista starts, you'll be prompted to choose a username and password to create a user account, then a name for your PC. You'll also be asked for other information, such as your time and date settings and your computer's current location (home, work, or a public location). Then Windows will finally run for the first time.
|
legal disclaimer
1) Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article as well for any and all copyright infringements by authors and writers. E-articles is a free information resource. If you suspect this article for any copyright infringements, please read the Terms of service and contact us to investigate the problem.
2) The E-articles directory team is not responsible for inaccuracies, falsehoods, or any other types of misinformation this tutorial may contain and will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by a user through the user's reliance on the information gained here. Please read the Terms of service
Useful tools and features
If you like this article (tutorial), please link to it from your web page using the information above. Linking to this page, this is the only way to help us improve our service, the same time providing your visitors with a way to improve their online experience.
related articles
When you buy Windows Vista, you buy either a full version of the operating system or an upgrade. Ideally, you'd like to upgrade, because an upgrade is less expensive than buying the full version. Only PCs with Windows XP or Windows 2000 qualify for upgrades; users with PCs running earlier versions of Windows will have to buy the full version. Users who have Windows XP or Windows 2000 and can upgrade will have one of two choices when they do the Windows Vista installation. They can either perform an in-place upgrade or do ...
2. Potential Problems During Windows Vista Setup
Fully documenting all of the problems that could occur during the installation of Windows Vista would require a tutorial10 times the size of this one. Here, though, are some of the most common problems you're likely to encounter, and how to solve them: An out-of-date BIOS may cause a failed installation. Your motherboard will have a software-upgradeable flash BIOS. Contact the manufacturer of your system or motherboard for any BIOS updates it has available, but don't bother unless a BIOS upgrade is absol...
3. Windows Vista Sidebar and Gadgets
Gadgets perform automated tasks and display information; they live in the Windows Sidebar on the Desktop. To open Double-click the Windows Sidebar icon in the notification area. Control Panel -> [Appearance and Personalization] -> Windows Sidebar Properties -> Start Sidebar when Windows starts Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Sidebar Description One of Windows Vista's most useful new features is the Windows Sidebar and the Gadgets that ...
4. How to Start Up Applications in Win Vista
Windows Vista has more ways to launch a program than just about any other operating system: Double-click on a program icon in Explorer, on the Desktop. Double-click on a file associated with an application to launch that application and open the file. Pick the name of a program from the Start menu. Click on a program's icon in the Quick Launch Toolbar to start it. This toolbar can include icons for any programs, although by default, it often has icons...
A shared, system-wide storage area for temporarily holding and moving data. To open Edit -> Cut (Ctrl-X) Edit -> Copy (Ctrl-C) Edit -> Paste (Ctrl-V) Description The Clipboard is an invisible portion of memory, used to temporarily hold data as it's moved or copied from one application to another. Although you will never "see" the Clipboard, it's used every time you cut, copy, or paste something. Using the Clipboard is easy. Select a portion of text in your...
6. Deleting Windows Vista User Accounts
It happens somebody graduates, somebody gets fired, somebody dumps you. Sooner or later, you may need to delete an account from your PC. To delete a user account, open the User Accounts program, click the appropriate account name, and then click "Delete the account." Windows now asks you if you want to preserve the contents of this person's Documents folder. If you click the Keep Files button, you'll find a new folder, named for the dearly departed, on your desktop. (As noted in the dialog box, only the documents, t...
7. Short introduction into Windows Vista Control Panel: windows|system32|control.exe
The central interface for most of the preferences, hardware configurations, and other settings in Windows Vista. To open Start -> Control Panel Windows Explorer -> navigate to the Desktop\Control Panel folder (it's not available in the \Users\username\Desktop folder, however) Search box or Command Prompt -> Control Search box or Command Prompt -> filename.cpl Usage control [filename.cpl] [applet_name] control [keyword...