First backup all the files you want to save including emails and the email address book. If you save to a CD remember to remove the read-only attributes after you restore them.
Next identify all of the peripherals and acquire the device drivers for them. This would include the sound card, modem, video card, network card, monitor, printer, scanner, cameras, and anything else connected to the computer that requires drivers. You will also need the disks for any software you wish to install on Windows XP (MS Office or Works, Antivirus etc…)
Make sure you can boot with your CD drive. Unlike Windows 9x/Me, the Windows XP CD-ROM is bootable, so you will not need a boot floppy to initiate Setup. However, some PCs don't offer the capability to boot from CD, though this should be rare on the newer systems that can run XP. More likely is that your system can boot from CD but isn't set up to do so. To set up your system to boot from the CD, you'll need to enter the BIOS software and change the boot order. Typically, you will want your system set up to boot from CD, then floppy, then the first hard drive. Check the manual that came with your PC or motherboard for information about entering the BIOS and making this change, if needed.
1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
2. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER to continue.
3. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
4. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you will be prompted to repair it. At this point hit the ESC key (do not repair).
5. The screen will now list all existing partitions and un-partitioned space for each hard disk.
6. Use the cursor/arrow keys to choose where to create the new partition.
7. Press D to delete an existing partition or press C to create a new partition in un-partitioned space. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete that partition.
8. Repeat this process for each of the existing partitions that you want to move (or remove) in order to create your new partition. When all necessary partitions are deleted, you can then select the remaining un-partitioned space and then press C to create new partitions.
9. Install Windows XP, use the arrow keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP and then press ENTER.
10. Select the NTFS formatting option and press ENTER
11. From this point, you will follow the on screen prompts.
12. Personalize your XP Enter your Name and Organization.
13. Enter the Product Key. The Key is located on the back of the CD folder in the Retail versions, and on a holographic label with the OEM versions purchased with a piece of hardware. Write this key down and secure it in a safe place in case the original is misplaced or destroyed through natural causes.
14. Choose a name for the computer; this should be a unique name for the computer, especially if it is to be connected to a network. In XP Pro, you are given the option of creating a password or leaving it blank.
15. Set your Time Zone and Time and Date.
16. Setup will scan for network. If detected you will have the choice to choose a typical configuration or custom. Choose typical if you are unsure.
17. For home you will choose your workgroup, if a network is already established and you intend to connect to it, use the existing workgroup name, otherwise, I suggest using the default. For Pro, the same goes for Pro as suggested for Home, but you will have the choice to join a Domain, if you do not have a Domain or do not know leave blank.
18. Setup will continue and reboot when completed ignore the "Press Any Key". The XP loading window will now display after reboot. All XP SP2 versions now show the same XP loading screen. Windows XP is displayed for both Home and Professional.
19. You will see a change display settings, say yes, and accept the setting if you can see the screen after accepting.
20. You will see a welcome screen, press next and unfortunately you have to wait for the dialog to finish.
21. Setup users screen. Set at least one user for yourself or the person that will be using the computer.
22. Logon to XP and apply Service Pack and Critical updates from Windows Update before installing any software or hardware.
23. Install your anti-virus software.
24. Install all applications and setup your email.
25. That’s it!