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5
Preparing for installation
Even after confirming that the computer you want to install XP or 2000 on meets
Microsoft’s recommended minimum specifications, you still may wish to do a little more
investigating before you attempt an install or an upgrade, to make sure that all of your
hardware is compatible with Windows XP or 2000.
There are two valuable Microsoft resources that you should employ before installing
Windows XP or 2000 on your existing hardware: the Hardware Compatibility List
(www.microsoft.com/hcl/default.asp
), and the Windows Upgrade Advisor
(www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/home/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
). Together
these applications review your system hardware and existing software and deliver a list of
potential compatibility problems. These are divided into two basic categories: critical
incompatibilities (those which would prevent XP from running, e.g. an outdated
motherboard), and compatibility warnings (hardware and/or software which might not
function correctly after upgrading – these might require you to reinstall the program or
driver, or update your version to a Win2k or XP compatible version). If you are
connected to the Internet while running Upgrade Advisor, Windows will offer to retrieve
and install any available updates.
It’s also a good idea to check and see if there is a BIOS update for your motherboard,
especially if it contains any fix regarding ACPI or Windows 2000/XP, and flash it following
the instructions from the manufacturer.
Fig 1 – Microsoft’s Upgrade Advisor page