Windows Vista - Collecting Information

While it is not the main focus of this tutorial, most of you will install Windows Vista on your new computer. The following chapter will show you step by step how to do so. Installing an operating system like vista is very easy as you will be able to see. However, we strongly advise you to also look at a tutorial on security as it is particularly important for windows.

Wherever you buy an OEM or a retail version you will have a CD.
Switch on your computer and insert the install cd. Chances are, your computer has an option to choose the medium before booting. Check during post to see what to press to be able to change the boot sequence. Choose the cd/dvd rom option

Once CD-ROM is selected press “enter” to continue. Windows now check if your computer will be able to run windows Vista.

The first interactive screen asks you to confirm the language; time; currency; and, keyboard layout. It should be the right information by default, change it if it is not accurate.

Install now

Read and check the “I accept the license agreement terms” before pressing “next”

Unless you already have Windows XP installed on the hard drive, you are using you should only have one option. Press “Custom” to continue.

Here is where you choose where to install your system:

• If you have only one hard drive and this one is new then press next without doing anything else. Windows will create a partition, format it, and begin the installation on it.
• If you have several new hard drives it is better to choose drive 0 to install the software. Select it and press “next.”
• If you want to have 1 partition for the system and one for the data, then press “drive options (advanced).” A new menu will appear (see above) and you will be able to create a new partition by pressing “new” . You can now choose how big the partition will be (see below) . We advise you to make the partition 20 Gb to allow numerous software programs to be installed without clogging the partition.