How to Install Windows 7 for Beginners

Hardware requirementsSome errors during Windows 7 installation

This article is to demonstrate the basic steps for installing Windows 7 and is aimed at beginners and
above. You should check the disk does not contain valuable data before formatting or installing.
Recommend to backup any data if of importance.
EditSteps

1.

Turn your computer on then press Del or F2 (depend on your computer’s mainboard) to enter the
system BIOS

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2.

Go to Boot menu and choose Boot From CD/DVD.

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3.

Press F10 to save the configuration and exit BIOS then reset your computer.

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4.

Insert Windows 7 DVD into your DVD drive then start up your computer, Windows 7 will be
loading files.

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5.

Select these parts: Language to Install,Time and currency format, Keyboard or input method. Then click
Next.

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6.

Choose Install Now if you want to install Windows 7. Choose the Windows 7 version that you want to
install in 'Select the operating system you want to install' . Here we choose Windows 7 Ultimate then
click next (depending on your Windows DVD, this step is an option).

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7.

Click 'I accept the license terms' in 'Please read the license' then click Next.

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8.

Choose 'Upgrade' in 'Which type of installation do you want' if you want to upgrade from an older
Windows version to Windows 7, 'Custom (advance)' if you want to install a new version of
Windows.

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9.

Choose Partition for installation, if your computer has only one hard disk, it will be easy for
selection, but if it has some Partition, you will have to consider which Partition to choose.

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10.

Wait for Installing Windows to progress. Your computer might be restarted during the process.

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11.

Type you’re a user account and computer name. After click Next.

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12.

Type a password for your account, you can also Type a password hint to help in case of forgetting
the password in the future, and then click Next.

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13.

Type in activation code or key for your license in Product key box if you have any. Click Next.

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14.

Choose how to protect your Windows. Here we choose Use recommended settings.

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15.

Set up your Time zone then click Next.

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16.

Choose an option from 3 choices: Public Network, Work Network, Home Network. Choose Home
Network for using Internet at home.

EditMethod 1 of 2: Hardware requirements

• This is minimum hardware that you need to have on your computer and should be checked in advance of
installing.
o 1 GHz CPU with 32 bits or 64 bits.
o 1 GB Ram for 32 bits or 2 GB Ram for 64 bits.
o 16 GB empty space hard disk for 32 bits or 20 GB for 64 bits.
o DVD drive (if installing from a DVD).
EditMethod 2 of 2: Some errors during Windows 7 installation
• After Windows 7 installation, if you cannot connect to Internet, please check these troubleshooting:
o Make sure Internet cable and the modem are working properly, the connection points are not getting
loose.

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o Check the network drive (normally Windows 7 automatically detects drivers).
o Set up Windows IP if the modem doesn’t analyze it automatically (searching on Internet for how to set it
up)
o Some devices might not work such as: USB 3.0, Webcam, Bluetooth etc. then you should check the
driver ok to see if it has been installed properly.

Installation Of Xp

Make Sure you have your Windows XP CD-Key Ready before starting the install. Insert the Windows Xp
CD-ROM and reboot your computer. When prompted to press any key to boot from CD press a key.
If you do not get that message it means that you have to change your boot sequence in your BIOS.
First, Bookmark This Page so you can come back and continue the installation. To go to the boot
sequence change page, Click Here.

Windows XP will load the necessary file, and then ask you what you want to do. Press Enter to install
windows XP.

Press F8 to accept the Agreement.

If you do not have any partitions (like in a new Hard Drive) press C to create a partition. If you already
have a partition Click Here.

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 Select size (Use maximum if you do not want any other partitions later on)

Select the partition where you want to install Windows XP.

Format the partition (NTFS Recommended).

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 Windows XP will start the preliminary install.

Select your language. For English just press NEXT.

Enter your name.

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 Enter your Windows XP CD Key to continue installation.

Enter a name for your computer. Password is optional.

Select your Time Zone and setup the time if necessary.

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 Windows xp will load the network .

Choose typical settings.

Choose No.
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 Time for a break :-)
Windows Xp will take a few minutes to install itself. Come back in about 15 min!

Welcome back!
Click OK.

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 Again OK.

Now you are at Windows XP post install page. A few more clicks and you are done. Click NEXT to
continue with the setup.

Click NO if you have your modem connected directly to your computer (internally or externally through a
cable). If you have more than one computer sharing your internet through a router select YES.

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Choose No. You can always Register Windows XP later! I want to keep this install page as short and
straight forward as possible.

Choose as many usernames as you need!

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 Click FINISH.

Et Voila! You have installed Windows XP!

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About your BIOS

BIOS (Basic Input Output System), Is the first piece of software loaded
when you boot your PC. It has all the softwares necessary to control the
monitor, hard drive, keyboard, ect...

The BIOS code is stored on a CMOS (complementary metal oxide

semiconductor) chip on your motherboard, but because RAM is faster
than ROM, the BIOS is copied from the CMOS to the RAM when the
computer is booted. This is called shadowing.

There are different BIOS from different companies. The most used BIOS are Phoenix and Amibios.

How to Reset?

Boot your computer and as soon as you hear a beep or see the "Press DEL to enter setup" start pressing
the "DEL" button on your keyboard a few times.

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As soon as you press the "DEL" button, The BIOS Setup Utility launches.

The above picture is of the Phoenix BIOS Setup Utility. Notice on the right hand side that there are a few
options to load the default settings. In the rabove situation you should go with the optimized default and
then in case it doesn't work you should fall back on the fail safe default.

If your BIOS is really damaged, and that it even prevents you from accessing the setup utility tool, then
you will need to do that manually by opening the computer case. Don't worry it is very easy.

Reset BIOS with the Motherboard Jumper.

Get your motherboard's user manual and look for the motherboard layout diagram. Look for the BIOS
jumpers.

Make sure to read the Computer Repair Safety page before opening the case.

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There are three pins, and the jumper connects only two of them at any time. You will need to move the
jumper to the next pin as showed in the picture below.

Leave it in this position for about ten seconds to erase all your settings and revert to the default.

Just put the jumper back where it was and you are good to go.

To update your BIOS.

If you BIOS is corrupted for whatever reason, you can always re-install it.

Go to your computer manufacturer's site and look for the BIOS update. You'll find either a floppy or a CD
version. There are different ways to do that depending on the manufacturer, so I can't just write
how to do it. You'll have to read you manufacturer's Guideline to update your BIOS.

But basically, you'll have to reboot with the rebootable floppy or CD and this should update your BIOS.

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NTLDR missing or corrupt

nsert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM, and boot from it.

- In the Windows XP setup menu press "R" to repair Windows.

- Log into your Windows installation by pressing "1" and then enter. If you use a password for Windows,
you will be prompted for your administrator password.

- Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. Note that your CD-ROM may be
under a different letter on your PC.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\

copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

After both of these files have been copied, remove the CD and reboot.

CPU Failing

CPUs rarely fail (unless you overclock them!).

One of the rare times your CPU may fail is when your heatsink is full of
dust and is not able to cool your CPU. Sometimes, if you CPU / heatsink
heats up too much, the plastic that holds them together may fail. You can
check that by cleaning the heatsink and then applying gentle pressure on it
to make sure that there is proper contact with the CPU. SO if during that
time your computer is stable, you know where the problem comes from!

Your Motherbord is defective.

Checking your motherboard's connections

Make sure all your cards and cables are plugged in correctly. Specially
you video card.

Take out any non-essential component (CD ROM, PCI cards[except

video],...) and try to boot. Also try swapping power cables and
connector ribbons.

At this point you need to replace your motherboard and RAM.

CPUs burn very rarely, and if your PCI cards do not overheat they should be OK. Be very carefull to
change the RAM and Motherboard as if you try to recycle one, you might burn the new one. It is a risk!

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If your motherboard has failed, it is better to buy another motherboard with a new CPU because old
motherboards tend to become hard to find & expensive whereas deals on combo CPU/motherboard are
cheap.

Power Supply Test!

Power Supply!

At this point it is either your power supply that is failing or your motherboard.
The reason why we can disregard the other components at this point is that if any
part fails, your motherboard will give you an error message one way or
another by either beeping or giving an error code on the screen.

Most likely your Power Supply is damaged. Don't worry, it is one of the most failure-prone items in PC
systems. It is also very easy to replace and does not cost much!

On the bright side, your Motherboard, CPU and RAM should be OK. (It is very rare that the Motherboard
gets damaged, specially if you have a good quality motherboard as they have some level of protection).

You need to get a working power supply and try it on your PC. Power Supplies are not servicable.

But if changing the power supply does not repair the problem then you need a new Motherboard.

Tools to help fix your power supply

How to install a power supply.

To learn how to change your power supply yourself read our Power Supply Inatalltion Guide.

Compare for the best prices across vendors.

You can also visit our computer hardware and equipment vendors list, where you can browse for all
the major computer parts equipments on the web.

Look for Quality to avoid future troubles.

Do not buy the cheapest ones as they are unstable and tend to burn. Also get at least 450W of power
output to have ample power. This should fix your problem.

Check the power consumption calculator to find out what power output you should look for.

Avoid Common Mistakes!

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Even if you find your power supply working and your computer is still dead (by trying your power supply
on another computer), there is a high probability that your power supply becomes unstable under
high loads and that is what has burnt your motherboard in the first place.

At this point if your motherboard is fried and that you have to buy a new one do not risk burning it to save
30$ on the power supply (you also need to change the RAM & CPU or risk burning your new
Motherboard).

Installing RAM

RAM Installation guide

Usually the RAM slots are close to your CPU and they are
closely packed. Make sure that the brackets are open.

Then align your new RAM as shown on the picture.

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The RAM should be in a vertical position with respect to the motherboard. Then push the RAM into the
slot until the brackets on both sides are in a closed position (you should not have to close the brackets,
they should close as you push the RAM into the socket).

Done.

Installing a Power Supply.

First place your power supply at the back of your computer case. Standard power supply should have their
fan toward the outside of the case. You will have to tighten your power supply to the case with 4 screws.

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Then you must make the connections to your motherboard. Here are the typical connections.

Older motherboards use a 20 pin connector, slightly newer motherboards have an extra 4 pin connector.
Nowadays, motherboards have simply a 24 pin connector. Look on your motherboard or see your owner's
manual.

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Now connect the power to your floppy drive (if you have one)

Finally connect the power to your hard drive and CD/DVD ROM.

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Computer Repair Safety Precautions!

Please take a few minutes to read about the safety precautions to take before opening your computer
and attempting to repair.

Electrical Hazards.

UNPLUG THE COMPUTER and wait a few minutes before opening the computer
and keep it unplugged at any time you are working on the hardware! This will ensure
that the capacitors are empty or only partially charged avoiding electrical shocks that can
damage your computer

Ensure that the power outlets are properly grounded and that all equipment electrical wires are in good
condition and provide proper grounding to avoid charge build up.

Avoid wearing loose jewelry or other conductive objects, such as rings and watches with metal bands,
whenever you work around electrical equipment.

The energy stored in a monitor or computer power supply is high enough to be dangerous. Even when
the electricity is disconnected, capacitors in the monitor and power supply can hold a harmful amount
of electrical charge.

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Never open a power supply case or monitor unless you’re experienced working with electricity.

Touch a large piece of metal to Ground yourself! Your computer is very sensitive to static electricity,
and you could burn it if you do not follow this step!

Hardware repair or replacement manipulation.

Repairing your computer is rather easy when you know what you are doing. By that I mean you don't
need any other tool than a screw driver and the parts are easy to reach and manipulate (compare to
repairing a car).

The hardware itself cannot be repaired if burnt. With the exception of the Power Supply and hard Drive, I
would be very careful changing the parts if burnt. If anything else is damaged in your computer, you risk
burning the new part.

I say that from experience. I burnt a New Mother Board once by installing damaged RAM on it, to test the
RAM. Instead try to replace the part with a cheap old/used part to see if everything works properly before
replacing the part with a high performance new part.

Make sure to follow this Computer Repair Flowchart systematically to avoid any mistake that would cost
you time and money or even worst!

Always put safety first even when repairing your computer! H o w t o i n s t a l l a C P U o n y o u r

motherboard

Old CPUs have hundreds of small connectors tightly packed underneath it. So when manipulating your
CPU make sure that you do not damage them (if one connector becomes out of line you most likely wont
be able to mount it on your motherboard), also be careful about static electricity.

Newer CPUs do not have connectors so you can relax and follow the procedure.

Before you start, you should have your motherboard, a CPU, a heatsink, a fan and a small tube of
Thermal Compound (for proper contact between CPU and heatsink).

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Take the cpu and fit it in the socket on the motherboard, but do not push if it does not fit, simply jiggle
with it. Note that the CPU will only fit in one way, notice the few missing legs on the corner of the CPU.

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Once you have put the cpu in its socket, there is a lever that you must close to secure the cpu in its socket.

At this time you should put the mount for the heatsink (if it was not there already. It is just a matter of
putting four screws (note that on some model, there is a square plate behind the motherboard where the
screws will fit)

Now put as evenly as you can the Thermal Compound on the CPU. Do not put too much of the compound
towards the edges as when you will put the heatsink on the CPU, the thermal paste will even out and leak
out from the edges.

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Now put the heatsink on the mount. If you press hard enough, you should feel the heatsink dispersing
evenly the thermal compound on the CPU. At this point, you should secure the heatsink with the mount
locking mechanism.

The CPU fan sits right on to of the heat sink. There are different mechanism to fix it to the heat sink but
usually it is very straight forward.

The last step is to connect the fan's power connector to the motherboard. Usually the connector on the
motherboard is close by (you can't miss it, but you can still check your motherboard user guide).

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HDD install

Put your new hard drive in the slot provided for. It is usually toward the front end of the computer case.
You must use screws to tighten the hard drive to the case (when the hard drive works, it creates lots of
vibrations which could damage it in the long run)

Then, you must plug the data cable from the motherboard to the hard drive. Make sure you use that on the
motherboard you are connecting to the blue slot!

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Connector the other end of the data cable to the hard drive and then connect the cable from the power
supply to the hard drive.

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