How do you install an operating system for windows XP?

Answer 1

The copying of computer software products is illegal, unless the program is freeware, which Microsoft products are not.

There are of course legal circumstanses where copying XP is actually legal.

If you par example have bought a new (preferably larger) HD and wish to use this instead of your old HD in your laptop.

Perfectly legal but it seems like this is not "supported" by microsoft.

After searching the net a bit I found clues to suggest that your XP-installation actually checks your HardDisks hardware serial number, and will only boot on that particular HD after installing.

You can make a perfect copy of XP, but it won't boot on your new HD as serial is different.

Answer 2

If you have same kind of multiple computers. You can use disk image software to install it on one computer, and after make an image of the hard drive and use it for other computers. If you are familiar with PXE server, you can use that too. If you have one kind of chipset, for instance, Intel there is a way how to make an universal image, just Google it. If you have different kinds of chipsets but only couple kinds (Intel, AMD) you can make couple of universal images one per each kind of the chipset.

Answer 3

You must have an installation CD for XP. (the product CD)

switch on the computer

put the CD in the CD ROM drive

watch the screen and when the screen says 'press a key to boot from CD' press (the) any key :)

from that point on, read the screen and follow the instructions.

If you don't see the 'press a key to boot from CD' message. leave the disc in the drive and switch the computer on then off again. this time the message will appear.

Yes, you will need a CD key - the license number.

Answer 4

I assume that you want to use hardware or software that needs XP for compatibility.

I haven't tried to do what you are asking, but would advise the following instead, if you have a fairly fast machine and Windows 7 is working :-

1) Install VirtualBox (free, from Oracle), with Windows 7 as your Host Operating System, and run it.

2) Use your XP installation disc to install XP as a Guest OS running in VirtualBox.

This can be a bit fiddly, but is worth it for the ability to have the best of both worlds. You can also install as guests Linux, even older versions of Win, or even DOS (I've done that, to run old shareware games!)

Bob Lindsay-Smith