RekaTech
Reka on Windows XP@www.RekaTech.co.uk©

Difficulty Level: Average

If you are about to install or reinstall Microsoft Window's XP then now is the perfect time to install XP to ensure you get the most out of it. This method of installing XP has several advantages over the default install method, apart from obvious performance benefits, it means if you ever need to reinstall again you wont loose all your documents or files. Basically what happens is we split your hard drive into several sections (Partitions). Window's XP will be on its own partition, meaning it can be reinstalled separate from all your documents. We will also tell windows, where to install programs and documents, so from a user point of view there will be no new processes for you to remember than what you currently know or do. I have broken the install down into several sections:-

1. Preparation 2. Start install 3. Partition hard drive 4. Install drivers 5. Format & Name partitions 6. Change default locations 7. System Restore and Paging file 8. Install Programs 9. Finish and clean up

It is essential that you make preparations before you actually start to physically reinstall XP. Make sure you have all of the following:

Microsoft Windows XP disc: Make sure you have to hand your copy of Microsoft Windows XP. I strongly recommend you slipstream your disc to ensure a cleaner install. If you haven't already slipstreamed your disc click here read the "Update XP Disc" article, otherwise carry on.

Motherboard Drivers: I recommend that you go to your motherboard manufacturers or PC manufacturers web site to get the latest drivers for your motherboard and burn them to disc. If you are unsure what motherboard you have or who the manufacturer is then go to Belarc.com and run the PC audit. It will tell you all the details you need.

Software: Make sure you have all the software you want to install on disc and have the serial numbers. If you have it installed on your PC but cant find the serial number, then go to Belarc.com, this will give you the serial numbers of all installed programs.

Anti Virus, Anti Spyware and Firewall: I strongly recommend you download and burn to disc free copies of the following so you can protect your PC before you connect to the internet after install. AVG Anti virus, Malwarebytes and Zone Alarm firewall. you can get all of those from the Download section on this site. (note: I personally would not touch some of the popular products like McAfee or Norton)

Graphics Card/Sound Card drivers: If your graphics card or sound card are not integrated on the motherboard (ie separate components) then I suggest you go to the manufacturers site to get the latest drivers and burn to disc. You can get the relevant details from Belarc.com.

My documents: Any documents that you have on your PC that you don't want to loose you will need to back up. I recommend you do a bit of a spring clean and just back up what you actually really do want, don't be tempted to just copy entire folders, you may end up with lots of rubbish and hidden nasties. Make several new folders for the items you want to copy, separate them into types, like Music, Video, Work, Serial numbers etc or whatever is appropriate. Drag and drop the items one by one into these new files. It will help your new install be more organised and less cluttered.

As i mentioned earlier, during the install process you will be partitioning your hard drive, with installed programs being installed to a separate partition. You should download the "RekaProgDir" , extract the contents of the zip and save.