I was just wanting advice on how to install Xp. Well not really the install but the best way to do it. What order should i go in? Os > Drivers > Antivirus etc....?

Also are there any tips on the performance aspect?

And lastly is there any way to save the bookmarks in Firefox? I looked through the folder but didnt see them.

I guess its a matter of opinion but ive done it dozens of times and just wondering how everyone else goes about it.

Thanks!

Heya Don,

1. There is really only one way to do it. OS, Drivers, then Antivirus/Spyware. Install the Antivirus/Antispyware before any internet browsing.
2. Here are a couple easy tips to speed up XP:

First, turn off your page file. This is only recommended if you have an abundance of memory. To check how much memory you have, run your typical applications, then hit CTRL+ALT+DEL to bring up task manager. Then hit the performance tab to see your available physical memory. If you have 512 megs or more leftover, turn off page file. If you have just a bit, or none leftover, leave your page file. A good rule of thumb at the moment is if you have 2 gigs, you're safe. Running Crysis on Vista takes about 1.5 gigs of memory....I can't think of anything that's more of a memory hog.

To turn off page file, go to control panel, system, advanced tab, click settings on performance, advanced tab, click change button at virtual memory, then click no paging file, click set, click ok, reboot computer.

This will cause your OS to stop creating a virtual memory file on your hard drive so it forces the computer to use your memory rather than your hard drive and memory.

Another thing you can do to speed up XP is to disable as many startup processes as you can. All programs can be run by running their executable either by an icon or start menu. You don't need any program (with the exception of antivirus/spyware protection and programs you want to run as soon as Windows opens). You should disable all running programs that you don't need/want when Windows starts. You can do it either in the program options, or through MSConfig. To use MSConfig, click Start, Run, MSConfig, enter, then go to startup tab and just disable all the unnecessary programs.

If you have two hard drives and a motherboard that supports it, you can run a striped RAID array which will speed things up a good bit.

I use an Internet Security program, CCleaner, Registry Mechanic, Disk Cleanup, and Disk Defragmenter on a very regular basis to keep registry in order, viruses/spyware/junk files off my pooter, and my disk defragmented. Keeping those things in check makes a big difference.

3. To backup your Firefox bookmarks, go into Firefox, hit Bookmarks, Organize Bookmarks, File, Export, then pick the location you want to save your bookmarks file. Then when you want to put it back into Firefox, do the same thing except Import it.

Hope that helps!

All went ok but i have the same problem i had a couple years ago when i re-installed. When i did it made the D drive the main drive. So now my back ups are on the C drive and the OS is on the D drive. Its not a big deal but now if i try to save something it will save it to the C drive which is the back up drive now.

So is there a way to change the letters or switch the locations of the files from the C to the D. Make sense?

When you install XP, unplug your backup drive. I would suggest reinstalling XP again while it's still fresh and you haven't done too much to it yet.

Just turn off computer, unplug backup hard drive, leave the drive you want Windows to be on still plugged in. Then turn on the computer, format and reinstall XP. Then when the install is done, turn the computer back off, plug the backup drive back in, then all should be well.

Hope that helps!

Doing Wadd's suggestion about unplugging an HD before installing Windows is good, there isn't a way to rename the drive Windows is installed on because that would cause issues with Windows. There are ways to assign new drive letters to other drives but at the moment I can't remember it. I'm on my laptop at the moment which only has one HD, when I get home I can check for you how I did it if you'd like

Its in disk management