How to install Windows operating systems using the WinNTSetup program. How to install a system from a hard drive

The legendary and beloved Windows XP has not been supported by Microsoft for more than a year, but continues to remain quite popular among users. The reason for this is its amazing stability and performance, plus a convenient and familiar interface.

If for some reason you decide to return to this version of the OS from Microsoft or are faced with the need to restore its functionality, then it will be useful for you to remember how to install Windows XP.

What you need

First, let's figure out what you should have on hand to successfully install Windows:

Also, if you don't have an installation disk, you'll need special software to create it. Fortunately, such utilities are distributed free of charge, and therefore there should be no problems downloading them.

If you do not have an installation disk, you will need to create one. To do this, it is better to use Windows XP SP3, downloaded from a reliable source and not burdened with a huge number of additional programs and features.

Ideally, the downloaded assembly will be as close as possible to the original distribution. Then the chances that the system will install and work correctly are very high.

Create installation disk You can use any program that supports burning ISO images. Let's take the DeepBurner utility as an example.

As an alternative, you can use the UltraISO utility, which will also burn the distribution to disk without any problems. Another option is Ashampoo Burning Studio.

BIOS setup

After creating the disk (if you did not have the original media), you need to change the parameters BIOS operation by setting the boot order.

Insert the disc into the CD/DVD-ROM and restart the computer. Open BIOS. This can usually be done using the F2, Delete or F12 keys. The specific key must be indicated on start screen, which appears immediately after starting the computer.

Depending on the BIOS version, the location and name of the partitions may change. In any case, look for the item called “BOOT”.

The "BOOT" section may be visible or hidden in other sections - for example, in "Advanced BIOS Features".
You need to set the boot priority: the disk drive should be first, then the HDD. Changing the boot order in the BIOS is done using the PageUp/PageDown keys or the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Press F10 to exit the BIOS, saving the new system boot settings.

System installation

After exiting the BIOS and rebooting, you will be taken to a screen that says “Press any key to boot from CD.” Follow the request and press any button on the keyboard.
The installation menu should appear on the screen, where you can choose how to install - manually or automatically. It is recommended to select manual mode.

will appear blue screen labeled "Installing Windows". Wait until the system configuration check is completed.
On the next screen you will see the installer's greeting. Press "Enter" to proceed to the Windows installation.
" License agreement"(if you are using the official distribution and not a build like Zver). Press F8 to accept the terms of the agreement.
If you already have a system partition, select it. If you have new hard disk, you will have to create a new partition where they will be copied Windows files. To perform this procedure, press the "C" key.
Select formatting in NTFS system(Quick) and run it. The formatting process will erase all files stored on the system partition, so make sure that there is no important data on it.

After formatting is completed, copying Windows files will begin.
When the files are copied, the computer will reboot.

Attention! When starting your computer, you must select to boot from drive C, otherwise you will start the system installation process again.

Next, the installation of the system on the computer will begin. You only need to specify some parameters, for example, language:
After some time, another window will appear asking you to enter your name. It can be anything.
Enter license key product if you have one. When using various free assemblies, you usually do not need to specify a license key.
Enter your computer name and password if you want to protect your system from unauthorized access.
Change the time, date and time zone if they are determined incorrectly.
Wait for the installation to complete – it usually takes about 40 minutes.
After this, you will see a greeting and the long-awaited Windows desktop with familiar hills.

Installing drivers and useful programs

Sometimes additional programs are installed immediately after the Windows installation process is completed. This usually happens when installing not the original distribution, but an assembly downloaded from the Internet.
After completing the system installation, proceed directly to installing the drivers. First install software motherboard and network card, then add drivers for your video card and other hardware. Don't forget to restart your computer after installing the next driver package.

The main problem when installing software on Windows XP is compatibility with the system. Many programs and device drivers simply will not install correctly, which will lead to incorrect operation of the computer. Therefore, it is important to choose the right software, taking into account Windows version and its capacity.

After installing all the components necessary for correct operation, you can proceed to setting other parameters - for example, appearance. Install the theme on Windows XP if you want to make your system different from others or to modernize it a little.
Would you like to add convenient mini-applications to your desktop? Install gadgets on Windows XP and manage their location on the desktop. The main thing here is not to overdo it and not to overload the system with externally attractive “tricks” that do not provide any practical benefit.

Conclusion

Now you know how to install Windows XP from a disk. Finally, let’s once again go over the main points that you must remember when installing the system if you want everything to go without errors.

Use the original distribution or a build as close to it as possible. No need to install various super assemblies that are crammed with additional programs and functions.

Prepare a disk with drivers for the motherboard and network card in advance. Find out in advance whether your hardware is compatible with Windows XP; if you have new computer, some problems may arise.
If you absolutely don't like latest versions OS from Microsoft, think better about installing Windows 7. “Seven”, although also no longer supported by Microsoft, is more modern system, and therefore there will be much fewer problems with equipment compatibility when using it.

Introduction

Each software product is, first of all, an executable module with the extension *.EXE (for example, ARJ.EXE) or *.COM (for example, WIN.COM), and this module can work either autonomously (for example, ARJ.EXE), or accompanied by many service files and other programs (for example, WIN.COM).

Before the advent of modern software products, problems installations the program on the PC practically did not exist: the executable module was simply copied from a floppy disk to any directory hard drive(if necessary - together with service files), and then launched for execution using conventional MS-DOS tools. If the product was compatible with the hardware, it operated in accordance with the conventions intended by the software developer.

Simple programs are still installed in the same way. For example, to install an archiver or copy program large files on floppy disks (such as LONG.EXE), you just need to copy the corresponding module from a floppy disk or CD into any directory.

However, for most modern software products, developers provide special procedure installations(installation) in which a special distribution copy product. This copy comes either on multiple floppy disks or on a CD, with the first floppy disk (or CD) always containing the SETUP.EXE (or INSTALL.EXE) installation program. Run this program and follow its instructions.

Here are the typical steps that are performed during product installation:

1). entering the name of the user who has a license to use this program and the name of the organization;

2). checking the system hardware elements (disk memory, random access memory, connected external devices and so on.);

3). configuration product according to user requirements and recording on HDD all program and service files necessary for the product to operate as ordered configurations(in this case, some product functions may be excluded);

4). creation and (or) modification of settings files - both system (for example, CONFIG.SYS) and specialized WINDOWS files (with *.INI extension).

When installing a product on Windows 98, it most often creates software element, equipped with a corresponding pictogram. At the user's request, this element can be included either in an existing or in a newly created program group.

In the Panel Windows management 98 there is a special “Add or Remove Programs” window (with three tabs) that allows you to:

1). create a backup system disk Windows 98 on floppy disk;

2). install any software product from a floppy disk or CD;

3). reinstall (or remove) Windows component 98.

How to install new software?

The new Windows 98 application may cause some difficulties when using it. Indeed, it is not always possible to find a new application icon waiting for you when you launch a program using the Start button. Instead, the new program may end up on a floppy disk with a lot of strange files on it. Which file does what? What happens as a result of their implementation?

Some programs are supplied with special installation programs, or so-called installation programs, which greatly simplify the entire process of installing them. Other programs place all installation difficulties on your shoulders. In my work I will consider the following questions: how to transfer a program from a floppy disk to the hard drive of your computer, how to assign it a name and an icon in the start menu.

Installation on Windows.

Windows 98 still greatly simplifies the process of installing new programs, if, of course, the software developer took advantage of all the advantages of this operating system. To find out if the program you have is easy to install, you just need to follow the following procedure.

1. Click on the Start button, then on the Settings button and select the option Control Panel from the menu that appears.

The Control Panel window will appear (Fig. 1), displaying many different icons.

2. Double-click the Add or Remove Programs icon.

3. Click the Install button.

Next, follow the instructions that will appear in subsequent windows. Windows 98 will ask you to insert the disk containing your program. However, if Windows 98 cannot find your installer and the window shown in Fig. 2.

Main problems when installing programs.

In the very general view a program is just a set of instructions for the computer, telling it what to do and when.

Unfortunately, most programs do not store these instructions in a single file and do not provide easy access to it. Instead, they are most often located in several files and, moreover, even on several floppy disks.

No matter what program you are installing, the basic procedure you need to follow before installation is the same. You copy your program from the floppy disks to your computer's hard drive. Then move the so-called “Start-with-me” button (icon) to the Start button menu to ensure that you can launch the installed application immediately after a simple mouse click.

Programs for IBM computers come in two types: DOS programs (old, weak) and Windows applications (new, powerful). Using Windows programs There are fewer problems because they were written specifically for Windows. To help such DOS programs, Windows often requires a special form of their properties. Windows recognizes some DOS programs when they are installed, and the form is filled out automatically. Windows Applications in most cases, they perfectly fill out all the necessary data. They can automatically find all the resources they need: existing sound and video cards, hard disks and other equipment.

What is the installer?

Installing a program can be a rather long and rather painful process. Therefore, programmers had no choice but to write special programs, intended for installing applications.

The program known as installer, manages the process of copying files to the computer's hard drive and checks the software's compatibility with Windows.

Most applications that you buy from specialized software stores are sold with installation programs.

Some programmers, being quite lazy, did not bother to write installation programs. As a result, all the routine work of installation goes directly to you, the user.

Most of the so-called shareware programs also fall into your hands without installation programs, so you must solve this problem yourself.

How to install the program?

All the following steps will help you figure out how to move from a floppy disk or a whole bunch of floppy disks to a program that will actually run on your computer.

Installing a program is not such a difficult task as it might seem at first glance, installing new program, follow the following sequence of steps:

1. Take the disk with the program.

2. Insert it into the drive.

3. View the contents of the drive using the My Computer application.

4. Find and download the installer and read the file README (Read me).

5. Create new folder on your hard drive.

6. Copy the program files to this folder.

7. Place the program name and icon in the Start menu.

How to find the installation floppy disk?

If the software consists of several disks, then find the diskette labeled Disk 1 (Disc 1), Setup(Installation), Installation(Installation) or something similar. If your program is located on a CD - that's all you need, the installer in this case is usually located on the same CD.

Search for the installer.

If the program has an installer, it automatically manages the process from the floppy disk to the Start button. Below is how to perform this procedure without error.

1. After the My Computer application displays the contents of your disk, find among the icons that appear on the screen the installation program launch files with the names INSTALL . EXE , SETUP . EXE or anything similar.

Errors when installing applications from files with the .msi extension are one of the manifestations of operational problems Windows services Installer (in the Russian version - Windows installer). Users of all versions of this OS, with the exception of the earliest ones, encounter a similar phenomenon. Until now, the problem with the installer is one of the common reasons why users decide to reinstall the system. Let's try to figure out how to avoid this. The reason that Windows Installer does not work may be the following:

• viral infection, and removing the virus does not always solve the problem;
• incorrect installation Windows updates;
• a malfunction of the security software when, instead of blocking one suspicious msi file, the installation service is blocked entirely;
• changes in computer security policies;
• damage system files or the registry for reasons not related to viruses (removal of installer components, unqualified editing of the registry, crooked software, hard drive failure, etc.).

Checking the integrity of the Windows Installer structure

Windows Installer represented by the following components:

• file C:\Windows\System32\Msiexec.exe - directly by the installer application itself;
• file C:\Windows\System32\msi.dll - Windows Installer library;
• Msiserver service, whose settings are stored in the registry key.

Before diagnosing, it is important to make sure that both of these files are present in the system, that the above section is in the registry and its parameters have normal values ​​(the values ​​can be viewed in the registry of a similar, working system). Also open the list of services (press Windows + R and enter the command services.msc in the "Open" line of the "Run" application). Find "Windows Installer" and make sure it starts. If the files are missing, copy them from another system of the same version or from the installation disk. If a registry key is missing or damaged, also move it from working system. To do this, on a working computer, run the registry editor (C:\Windows\Regedt.exe) and find the above section. Expand by right click context menu msserver folder and click "Export". Save the file in .reg format and transfer it to the problem machine. Double-click this file and agree to add data to the registry. Restart your computer. If the Msiserver service still does not start, check that the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) service on which it depends is running. You can re-register the installer files and restart the service using a set of special commands, in command line. For convenience, you can create batch file: Paste the action set into notepad and save it as a .bat extension. To launch a file, simply double-click on it. For the changes to take effect, click on the desktop and press F5.

Checking security settings and access rights

Windows Installer may not work because it is blocked by security software or the operating system does not have the necessary rights. First, let's look at the software. If you have an antivirus installed, temporarily disable it. Each product has its own methods of disabling, but most often this is done through the context menu of the antivirus icon in the system tray. Now let's take care of the rights. Open the context menu of Msiexec.exe and expand its properties. View the list of groups and users on the Security tab. Among them must be "System" and the "Trustedinstaller" service, and the latter must have full access to the file and be its owner. The system must have "read" and "read and execute" permissions. The Trustedinstaller service first appeared in Windows Vista, so in Windows XP full access must be granted to the system. Everything written below applies to versions released later than XP. To check who owns Msiexec.exe, click the "Advanced" button on the same tab. In the next window, expand the "Owner" tab. Set the owner to the Trustedinstaller service if something else is specified as the owner. If it is not in the "Change owner to" list, click the "Change" button, and then click "Other users and groups." Enter Trustedinstaller in the "Enter names..." field, click "Check names" and OK. Return to the previous window. On the "Effective Permissions" tab, assign the necessary rights to Trustedinstaller and the system. The msi.dll library should have exactly the same security settings. Now let's check if there are any restrictions for the "System" user to access the following:

• system drive (usually drive C);
• temporary folders (these are C:\Windows\Temp and C:\Users\Current_User\AppData\Temp);
• folder C:\Config.Msi;
• the folder where the msi file from which you are trying to install the program is located.

The system must be given full access to all these objects. This is done in the same way as we discussed above. After these operations, in most cases the problem with the installer is successfully resolved. If our advice did not help you, the cause of the failure lies in something else and specialists should deal with it.

The installation is designed to solve issues in the sequence given below.

1. Selection of application file system. If you are installing Windows NT Server, you must decide whether to choose a domain model or a working group. During installation, you need to clarify the role played by the machine running Windows NT Server: primary or backup domain controller, file server, printer, or application server.

2. Formation of a set of necessary protocols installed by default. If you select the Express Setup installation type, you can install other protocols later.

3. Preparing the specified password.

4. Selecting the type of network card used, type of disk adapter, sound card configuration.

5. Determining the type and model of the printer and its connection port while simultaneously installing Windows NT and printer drivers.

6. Testing equipment for serviceability using diagnostic tests.

7. Checking the compatibility of all computer devices with Windows NT

During installation Windows systems The NT installation program requests the installation parameters necessary for installation on the hard disk, and then copies the applicable files, creates and displays the start menu on the screen.

Windows NT installation can be:

Initial, if no system was previously installed on the computer or the existing OS must be completely replaced;

Upgradable when Windows NT is installed over a previous version while maintaining the existing OS. In this case, all existing Windows files NT and saving registry settings, the data of which is associated with application loading and security identifiers.

Installation of Windows NT begins by launching the winntexe utility, which is a 16-bit application that runs in DOS, Windows NT, etc. In case of an update, the 32-bit version of this file, winnt32.exe, is launched.

You can install Windows NT in different ways:

From an HCL-compatible CD-ROM using boot disks;

CD, if there is an OS without using boot disks;

A drive that is accessible on the local computer network.

If the CD-ROM is an HCL-compatible device, then Windows NT is installed using boot floppy disks.

When the computer has a previously installed OS and the CD-ROM is not an HCL-compatible device, the contents of the corresponding folder are copied to the hard drive. Using the key, the installation program copies files from any other media, except boot disks, to the hard drive. These files will be launched after the computer is restarted.

With the support of the network card and Windows NT network protocols, it is possible to run the installation program without using additional keys. Files and distribution directories can be located on a CD-ROM or the server's hard drive. If LAN card or the protocol is not supported by Windows NT, then the entire distribution catalog should be copied to the computer’s hard drive.

If any of the OS has not been previously installed on the computer, then a boot disk for the user can be created with using Windows NT Server Client Administrator Utility. This disk initiates DOS loading, and it becomes possible to copy distribution files to the disk.

There are several ways. Firstly, if your distribution CD is similar to the one produced by Microsoft, then it must be bootable. To boot from it, you need to set the “Boot sequence” parameter in the BIOS to CD-ROM, insert the CD and reboot. After the computer starts, the installation program will launch. Then just follow the instructions.

This is the only method to boot directly into the installer with just the CD. Microsoft believes that a CD-ROM is an integral and absolutely necessary part for a computer on which Windows XP is installed, so tools for implementing the good old method of booting from floppy disks are no longer included in the distribution kit.

Secondly, you can boot from a DOS system floppy disk with a CD-ROM driver and run the “winnt.exe” program in the i386 directory on the distribution disk.

Note: if your hard drive is connected to an external controller (SCSI or IDE), then do not forget to download new Windows XP (or W2k) driver for it and put it on a floppy disk. It will be needed if the installation program cannot correctly detect and install the device. In this case, you must press F6 when searching for such devices.

And finally possible from under W9x, NT4 or W2k run the “setup.exe” program from the root directory of the CD, or winnt32.exe from the i386 directory, and upgrade the system to Windows XP. This is done correctly, and before rebooting the system displays a list of programs and drivers that are incompatible with Windows XP.
But, last method is not the most optimal. Although Windows XP tries to independently determine the list of programs and drivers that will not work correctly with it, it is not able to do this correctly in all cases. Therefore, in order to avoid compatibility problems, we would recommend that you install the system again.
There is an even more radical method of solving compatibility problems. When installing over an existing OS, you will have the option of choosing an OS (Dual boot).
Note: After installing Windows XP as a separate OS, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer in Windows 9x, because Windows XP will replace the latter. This is only true if both OSes are installed on the same disk partition. But this problem can be solved by copying some DLLs from WinXP\System32 to Windows\System. To determine the required libraries, you can use the ShowDep program (www.showdep.com) or Outlook Express displays similar information in the “About” window.
In addition, many programs will have to be installed twice, separately for Windows XP and for W9x. Sometimes it is possible in the same directory, for example, Office 2000, already during installation, is able to understand that it is already installed, and in the end it installs only about 18 megabytes.

Choose the required version kernels and HAL during installation.
At the very beginning of the text stage of installing Windows XP, when the message “Setup is inspecting your computer’s hardware configuration” appears, press and hold the “F5” key. In the list of HAL library versions that appears on the screen, select the version that matches your computer, or select the “Other” option to specify the library file from the hardware manufacturer. Then continue Windows installation. The following versions of the HAL library are included with Windows XP:

• ACPI Multiprocessor PC- for ACPI systems with multiple processors.
• ACPI Uniprocessor PC- used for ACPI systems with multiprocessor system board and one installed processor.
• Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC- used for single-processor ACPI systems.
• MPS Uniprocessor PC- for systems without ACPI support, with a multiprocessor motherboard and one processor installed.
• MPS Multiprocessor PC- for multiprocessor systems without support.
• ACPI Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% compatible- for Compaq SystemPro computers or fully compatible with them.
• Standard PC- used for any standard computer, not multiprocessor and without ACPI support.
• Standart PC with C-Step i486- used for computers that support this technology.

During installation, the system does not allow you to select components, and even after installation there is almost nothing in Add/Remove programs - Windows Components.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to select anything during installation. But, after installation, in Windows/inf, find the sysoc.inf file and delete the word hide or HIDE in it wherever you find it. New items will appear in Add/Remove Windows components. Unfortunately, you cannot delete everything from the items that appear, but some things are still possible.

Is it worth switching from FAT32 to NTFS?
It all depends on what purpose you use the computer for and how much RAM you have. Please note that NTFS works somewhat slower than FAT due to additionally loaded services and its security system. If you have little RAM and you decide to install XP, then you definitely cannot install NTFS. If you have 128MB or more, then you can already think about NTFS. You should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of NTFS for the average user and decide what you need. The advantages of FAT32 include the fact that it is faster and requires less memory to operate. If the system only works with FAT32, then the drivers and services required by NTFS are not loaded into memory. In addition, when using FAT32, it is possible to access the disk when booting from the W9x boot floppy. The advantages of NTFS for the average user can be described in one succinct word: indestructible. In all seriousness, it is extremely difficult to disable NTFS, although it is possible. For the experience, I launched a bunch of different applications, disk optimizers, and pressed the reset button at the most inopportune moments. Repeating this sadism a good dozen times did not make any impression on the system; it continued to work without errors. In addition, NTFS has built-in file encryption capabilities, which provides some confidence in the safety of data. Of course, provided that the system will not be reinstalled.

What exactly is NTFS, and how does it work?
NTFS grew out of the HPFS file system developed jointly by IBM and Microsoft for the OS/2 project. It began being used with Windows NT 3.1 in 1993. Windows NT 3.1 was supposed to compete with servers based on NetWare and Unix, so NTFS absorbed all the technological advances of that time. Here are the main ones:

1. Working with large disks. NTFS has a cluster size of 512 bytes, which in principle is optimal, but it can be changed up to 64K. More importantly, NTFS is theoretically capable of handling volumes as large as 16,777,216 terabytes. Theoretically, because there are such hard drives They simply don’t exist yet, and they won’t appear anytime soon.

2. Sustainability. NTFS contains two copies of the FAT analogue, called MFT (Master File Table). Unlike FAT MSDOS, MFT is more like a database table. If the original MFT is damaged in the event of a hardware error (for example, the appearance of a bad sector), then the next time the system boots, it uses a copy of the MFT and automatically creates a new original, taking into account the damage. But this is not the most important thing. The main thing is that NTFS uses a transaction system when writing files to disk. This system comes from a DBMS, where protecting data integrity is vital. This already speaks to its effectiveness. In simplified form it works like this:

• The NTFS I/O driver initiates the recording process while simultaneously telling the Log File Service to log everything that happens.
• Data is written to the cache under the control of the Cache Manager service.
• Cache Manager sends data to the Virtual Memory Manager (manager virtual memory), to write to disk in the background.
• Virtual Memory Manager sends data to the disk driver, passing it through the Fault Tolerant Driver (if you have a RAID array of disks).
• The disk driver sends them to the controller, which already writes them either to the cache or directly to the disk.
• If this operation goes through without errors, the log entry is deleted.
• If a failure occurs, the log entry remains in the transaction table, and the next time the disk is accessed, the Log File Service detects this entry and simply restores everything as it was before this operation.

Such a system guarantees absolute safety of data in case of copying, moving and deleting files or directories. When you make changes to a file, you lose those changes that were in memory or in the controller cache at the time of the failure and did not have time to be written to disk.

3. Security. NTFS treats files as objects. Each file object has properties such as its name, creation date, date last update, archive status, and security descriptor. The file object also contains a set of methods that allow you to work with it, such as open, close, read and write. Users, including network users, call these methods to access a file, and Security Reference Monitor determines whether the user has the necessary rights to call any of these methods. In addition, files can be encrypted. True, you should be careful with encryption. If your system crashes or you reinstall it, you will not be able to read the encrypted files if you do not have an ERD.

4. Data compression. NTFS allows you to compress individual directories and files, unlike DriveSpace, which only allowed you to compress entire disks. This is very convenient for saving disk space, for example, you can compress large graphic files in BMP format on the fly, or text files, and all this will be transparent to the user.

5. Support ISO format Unicode. The Unicode format uses 16bit to encode each character, unlike ASCII, which used 8bit, or worse, 7bit. For a simple user, this means that he can now name files in any language, even Chinese - the system will support this without requiring changes code page, just like DOS and W9x did.