Microsoft Windows XP

Training Module
What is Windows XP?

Built on the foundation of Windows 2000.

Merger of Consumer and Business Operating
Systems
Two Versions
Professional
 Windows XP Home Edition
 Windows XP Professional
 Single Code Base Home Edition

Core OS
Home Edition versus Professional
Same core operating system
Windows XP Home Edition
 Consumer platform
 Simplified interface
Windows XP Professional
 Business platform
 Different characteristics when joined versus disjoined
 Hardware Requirements
Home Edition Professional

CPU Minimum Speed Intel Pentium

233 MHz

Maximum Number 1 2 What is an HCL System?

Recommended Speed 300 MHz Tested by WHQL
RAM Minimum 64 MB HCL published online
Maximum 4 GB
Why is it important?
Recommended 128 MB
Guaranteed compatibility
Hard Disk Minimum to Run Setup 1.5 GB
Space Increased customer
Typical Install Size – Clean Install 1.5 GB

Approximate Disk Space Used in Upgrade 925 MB

satisfaction
over Windows Me* Lower support costs
Approximate Disk Space Used in Upgrade N/A 675 MB
over Windows 2000 Pro More information
Other Required for Installation Supported CD, DVD or Network http://www.microsoft.com/
Hardware
winlogo/hardware/
* This includes 125 MB for uninstall information saved automatically during an upgrade over
Windows Me. http://www.microsoft.com/hcl
Upgrade Paths
Home Edition Professional
Upgrading from

Windows 3.x  
Windows 95  
Windows 98  
Windows Me  
Windows NT 3.x Workstation  
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Up to SP4  
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation SP5 & Higher  
Windows 2000 Professional  
Windows Server Products  
Windows XP Home Edition  
Windows XP Professional  
 = Upgrade Not Supported  = Supported Upgrade Path
Windows 98/Me Upgrade Process

Special process used when upgrading

Windows 98/Me
Winnt32 mode
 Captures uninstall information
Winnt32.exe command
 Creates upgrade report
 Scans current system for user option /checkupgradonly
accounts can be used to create
 Creates new boot environment the upgrade report
Text Mode
without installing the OS
 Perform clean Install
 Migrate save registry to new
install
 Execute application migration
 Migrate user accounts
GUI Mode
 Finish clean install process
 OOBE
 Welcome screen
OOBE A new Feature
OOBE(Out Of Box Experience) is a helpful tool for the users to configure
their computers when they start the computer for the first time.

The following are the functions of OOBE:

a. Check for USB K/B and Mouse f. Configuring Network

b. Welcome Screen g. Direct or network connection
c. Using Mouse and K/B h. Activate Windows
d. Internet Connectivity I. Multiple users
e. Selecting Internet Connection j. User Accounts and ThanX

When OOBE does not appear?

800x600x16-bit not detected Computer in domain
 Screen Resolution Full unattended setup used
Color Depth Safe Mode
Switchbox Once triggered, OOBE cannot be bypassed
Dynamic Update Overview
What is Dynamic Update?
 A feature of Windows XP Setup that
downloads important updates and
required drivers at Setup time from the
Windows Update site.
What is the difference between Dynamic
Update and Windows Update?
 Windows Update can be used any time
after installation to download any updated
drivers or applications.
 Dynamic Update only downloads the most
critical drivers necessary during setup.
Activation and Registration

Activation: This is compulsory

Registration: This is Voluntary

*Compaq does not require the Activation as it uses the SLP technology.
System Locked Preinstallation
• Locks an OEM installation to the machine’s unique BIOS/DMI strings.
• The pre-installed image as well as the CD that is shipped with the machine will
only install to a machine with a particular BIOS setting specific to that OEM.
• If there is no BIOS string or if the secure file has been tampered with, the user
will have to enter his unique product key from the (COA) sticker on the side of
the box.
Methods of Activation
Internet
 Primary method
 Quick and easy
 HTTPS
Modem
Telephone call
 Activation code
 Confirmation ID
 All calls responded to by clearinghouse, NOT to Microsoft Support
User Questions

What (or where) is the Hardware Rules List that will require
reactivation? This list should not be discussed in
detail; exposing this would only
encourage hacking of WPA.

This is incorrect. Office permits this but

Why can’t I install on both my
desktop and laptop like I used to
be able to do?
Windows never has.
From the EULA:
1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you
the following rights…
Installation and use. You may install and use
one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on a
single computer, including a workstation,
terminal or other digital electronic device.

The system only sends information back to

Does Activation communicate Microsoft during the activation process.
my system information Any checks are done on the local machine and
the clearinghouse is only contacted during the
periodically? Activation process.
Summary

WPA is a tool to reduce casual copying.

 Ties the Product Key to a specific machine,
preventing people from buying one copy of
Windows XP to install it on more than one
machine.
WPA cannot stop the outright piracy.
 Makes it more difficult.
 Makes users more aware of piracy.
 There will still be people who will pirate the software and attempt to break
product activation.

When is Activation required?

 Retail media must be activated.
 Evaluation and Not for Resale (NFR) media requires activation.
 Select, Volume and Open License distribution channels will receive Volume
Licensing (VL) media, which do not require activation.
 Royalty OEMs, such as Dell, Compaq and HP, may use System Locked
Preinstallation (SLP), a special BIOS-locked version of WPA that does not
require Activation.
Desktop Changes : Only Recycle bin appears on fresh
XP Features1
installation and all the other icons can be added.
Desktop icons can be retained on up-gradation.

New Taskbar : Few new Features are included like

“Taskbar Locking”, “Button Group”, “Button
Clustering”, And “Notification Area” Formerly known as
“Systray”.

New Start Menu : “Pinned programs”, “Most

Frequently Used Programs”, “All Programs button” and
“The MY area”
 New Search Utility : “Search Companion”, Uses Wizard-Style and
XP Features2
Includes Animated “Assistants”. It Can be configured for
“Standard” or “Advanced”
Searching for “Hidden Files” or in “System Folders” can be
toggled

Advanced Visual Options: May be automatically disabled on lower

performance machines Manual enabling may cause performance
problems
Configurable via:

Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Adjust visual

effects > Visual Effects
Some steps to improve the system
performance
Unexpectedly poor overall performance can be due to Multiple
users logged on with applications running or Advanced visuals
enabled on low performance hardware with Insufficient system
memory

Failure to successfully use the Search utility can be due to

a. Not configuring the Search Utility to find hidden files and in
System Folders
b. Not configuring the Search Utility to search tape drives

Folder properties set to an inappropriate type can be resolved by

For subfolders: Changing the type in the properties > Customize
For root folders: Manually changing the type in the registry

1. Configure the Advanced visual effects to automatically

2. Disable the Fast User Switching on 64 MB memory machines
3. When Multiple User have logged-on
File Management UI Changes
New folder properties options
 Custom folder icons (“Folder Pictures”)
New Web pane
 Task options vary with folder type
New “View” options
 Example: Filmstrips
Folder style “inheritance”
 Triggered by the first file in new folders only
Folder tree pane can be toggled
Arrange files and folders by groups
File type Autolookup for unregistered types
 By Internet
 By Program List
Control Panel
The Control Panel is “ Categorized” by task type.
The “Classic View” can be restored via the UI
Third party CPLs can specify the category in
which they appear
Some incompatible CPLs may be deleted during
upgrades

File Folder changes:

 Multiple web view task possibilities exist
 Folder icons can be customized
 Files can be grouped and sorted
 Folders can be set to “styles”
Classic View
 Auto lookup can access the Internet to
identify file types

Control Panel:
 Icons are now grouped by “task” Categories
 “Classic” view can be selected
 What’s on the Welcome Screen?

List of the users who may log on and a picture associated with Notes the number of applications
each user running

Notes the number of unread

messages

Indicates if currently Logged

On
Can show password “hints” if needed

Button to “Turn off computer”

The Welcome Screen is available in…(a)WinXP Home Edition (b)WinXP Profl if not joined to a
Domain (referred to as “Disjoined Pro”)
The Administrator Account

*Admin Account is available in only Safe mode*

Users are added or customized via: Administrators can:
Change a user’s name
Control Panel > User Accounts Reset or remove a user’s password
Limited Users can modify aspects of their own account Change a user’s picture
Change a user’s account type
 Password
Delete a user’s account
 Picture
Users with Administrative Rights see different options than limited
Administrators cannot:
users Read another user’s password
Modify another user’s .NET Passport
Fast User Switching (FUS)
Allows Multiple Users to use one computer, in separate sessions, without the need to close
applications and log off.

Potential FUS Support Issues

Fast User Switching is not enabled on machines with minimum installed memory (64Mb)
Fast User Switching is resource intensive and performance may degrade on lower end
hardware with multiple sessions running
Screen resolution is a system setting which affects all users
Replacement GINAs may disable Fast User Switching

Enabling Fast User Switching

The Welcome Screen and Fast User

Switching can be enabled or disabled On
Home or disjoined Pro via

Control Panel > User Accounts > Change

the way users log on or off

Fast User Switching requires the Welcome

Screen, but the Welcome Screen can be
used
with Fast User Switching disabled
 NTFS security and Permissions

FAT File Size Limitations

FAT16 FAT32
Maximum file size 4 GB minus 1 byte 4 GB minus 1 byte

Maximum volume size 4 GB 2 TB read/32 GB format

Maximum files per volume Approx 65,536 Approx 4,194,304

Maximum root entries 512 (less with long file None

names in the root)

Maximum entries within a Limited by hard drive 65,534 (less with long file
single folder space names)

Windows XP can format volumes to 2 GB with the FAT32 file system. However, it can
use FAT32 to read volumes up to a theoretical size limit of 2TB.
Summary

Disk maintenance tools

included with Windows XP
include
 Chkdsk, Autochk and
Chkntfs
 Disk Defragmenter
 Recovery Console
 Automated System Recovery
(ASR)
 Diskprobe
Device and Driver Management Device Manager

Offers a new recovery feature called

Driver Rollback
Driver Rollback
Allows user to replace an individual
device driver package with the
previously installed version
Useful when a newly updated driver
causes system instability
Driver Resiliency
Blocks the installation or dynamic
loading of known bad drivers
WHQL Driver Signing
Driver Signing support continues in
Windows XP
Device Manager Overview
Device Management
Options
 Enable/Disable Devices
 Troubleshoot problems
 Update or Rollback
Drivers
 Change resources
assigned to a device
 Scan for New Hardware
Device Tree
 View Devices by Type
 View Devices by
Connection
Driver Installation & Policies
Closest match driver is always installed
 Signed or unsigned
 If the same rank, system installs signed
driver
System hashes driver binaries
 Match means driver package not tampered
with since signature
Policy set in System Control Panel
 Click the Driver Signing button of the
Hardware tab
 Used if:
 Driver not signed
 Hash values don’t match
 Three possible actions:

• Ignore
• Warn
• Block
System File Protection and Driver Rollback

Driver Signing & SFP have different goals

Driver Signing is the means of tracking a
file’s version and creator
System File Protection is the enforcement
mechanism that uses Driver Signing
signatures and catalog files to keep system
files at their correct versions.

Driver Rollback:
One of the System Recovery Options in
Windows XP
Re-install a previously installed driver
Focuses recovery effort on a single driver
Helps user recover from installing a bad
driver
Implementation Details
Rules
 One Level
 No Printer Rollback
 Muti-Function devices have driver
for each function
 User is prompted when reverting
to unsigned driver
 Active and Functioning Drivers
only
• Updating a Driver
 Driver tab of device properties
• Rollback

 Available after driver is updated

 Option is available through
Device Manager
Driver Resiliency
Block defective drivers during:
 Installation
 Boot loading
 Dynamic loading
User Notification
 Dialog box displayed on install
 Bubble and taskbar icon display on
boot or dynamic load blocking
 Help and Support - Health Tool
Defective Driver Database
 Drvmain.sdb
 Driver added to database if >90%
chance of Bluescreen
 Database managed by Microsoft
 Made available to customers via
Windows Update
Display
DualView
 Support for video adapters with
two outputs Troubleshooting tools
Power management update
 LCD display is dimmed when 1. Device Manager
running on battery power 2. DxDiag
High-resolution monitor support 3. MsInfo32
 Scales text for monitors with high
pixel density
UGA support
 High resolutions and color depths
ClearType
 Font smoothing technology
Visual effects settings
 Include fade in menus, shadow
effects, Window animation for
minimize/maximize, etc.
Digital Audio

Because digital audio is an integral part of

the operating system, a separate sound
card is not required to support it.
Digital audio is generally a higher quality
than audio produced from a sound card.
Windows XP supports Digital Audio on
several bus types
 PCI
 ISA
 PCMCIA
Windows XP supports external Digital
Audio devices connected with USB and
IEEE 1394.
 Multimedia Media Maker 1.1
Multimedia support in Audio and video editing
Windows XP includes application
Audio/video capture
Update to version included with
Audio/video playback, Windows Me
local and streaming
DVD playback Functions
CD recording Importing saved media files
CD playback Capturingaudio and video
Media management from supported devices
High performance audio Basic editing
and video for gaming
Network game support
Movie Maker No advanced editing and
encoding capabilities
Windows Movie Maker and Power
Management
Basic video capture and Windows XP supports both ACPI
editing application
and APM Power
Terminology
Management BIOS
 Clips
 Collections Standby/Hibernate
User initiated
 Monitor
 Workspace System initiated
 Projects Processor Throttling
Import Allows the OS to reduce the CPU
Capture clock speed and voltage to save power
Assembling project Effective in low CPU operations such
Saving movie as viewing documents
 Locally
 E-mail
 Web server
Help and Support Features

New Help User Interface

originally released in
Windows ME
Expanded Search Help
options:
 Search multiple
resources at once
 Open multiple
instances
OEM configurable
Remote Assistance
Tasks:
 Compatibility Service
 Tools Service
 Update Services
 System Restore
Accessing Help and Support
Start Menu
Hotkey <Windows + F1> The three most common ways to
access Help and Support Center are
System Search from the Start menu, keyboard hotkey
and from the System Search.
Help and Support Center Interface

Click on an area of the screen to view that feature

Pick a Help Topic
4 areas:

User

Networking

Customization

System
Ask for Assistance

Invite a friend to connect to

your computer with Remote
Assistance MSN Messenger 4.0 includes
Get support, or find information in the feature to ask your online
Windows XP newsgroups contacts for remote
assistance. There are also
links to get support in
Windows XP newsgroups on
the Internet.

Click on the Support or Windows Messenger areas for more information

Pick a Task
Did You Know?
Helpful tips and facts
 Updated Help and Support
Center check for updates when
you are online.
 Every month/day/time the user
connects to the internet
The ‘Did You Know?” section of the
Help and Support interface provides
regularly updated content so that
users can access the most current
help content.
Search
Summary

Help and Support Interface Content Navigation Bar

 Global Navigation Bar  Add to Favorites
 Search
 Pick a Help Topic
 Print
 Ask for Assistance  Change View
 Pick a Task  Locate in contents
 Did you know?

Help and Support Options

 Sub site that allows Remote
Help and other configuration
 Help and Support Center
options
 Set search options
 Share Windows Help
Steps of the Boot Process
1. POST
• BIOS initialization
The boot process encompasses the
2. MBR steps performed by the hardware and
• the operating system to take the
Locates and loads boot sector,
which points to NTLDR computer from Power On to a usable
interface.
3. NTLDR
• Locates Ntoskrnl.exe using Boot.ini
• Starts computers in hibernation
using Hiberfil.sys

4. Ntoskrnl.exe
• Loads drivers and services needed
to run Windows
5. User logon
• Authenticates user, processes
logon scripts, initializes startup
applications
Issues with MBR/Boot Sector

Can appear as BIOS error

“Invalid System Disk or Disk Error”
Causes
 Virus infecting MBR
 Drive overlay problems
 Drive not partitioned or problems with
partition table
 Hard disk or controller failure
 No active partition
Resolutions
 Eliminate virus from MBR with updated virus
scanner
 Repair with Recovery Console tools

• FixMbr
• FixBoot Recovery Console
Issues with NTLDR

Can appear as BIOS error

“Missing Operating System” Recovery Console is the key tool for
Can appear as error “Windows resolving issues at this stage of the boot
could not start because the process.
following file is missing or corrupt
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll”
Causes
 NTLDR and NTDetect.com not
in root of system drive
 Incorrect entries in Boot.ini

Resolutions
 Expand missing boot files from
the Windows XP CD with
Recovery Console
 Repair Boot.ini with BootCfg
tool in Recovery Console
Issues with Hibernation

Failures when resuming from

hibernation can appear as
error messages or hangs
Causes
 Hardware changes while in
hibernation
 Damaged Hiberfil.sys
Resolutions
 Restore to hardware
configuration used before
computer entered hibernation
 Bypass the resume from
hibernation using F8
Issues with Ntoskrnl.exe

Can appear as error “Windows could

not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: <Windows Ntoskrnl.exe is the Windows XP kernel.
root>:\system32\Ntoskrnl”
Causes
 Incorrect entry in Boot.ini
 Missing Ntoskrnl.exe file
Resolutions
 Repair Boot.ini with BootCfg tool in
Recovery Console
 Restore system files if backup is
available with ASR
 Expand missing files from Windows XP
CD with Recovery Console if backup is
unavailable
 Reinstall Windows XP to restore
needed files if backup is unavailable
Issues with Drivers or Services
Can appear as blue screen
errors, other error messages, Troubleshooting driver and service
or hangs failures involves a process of
elimination. If you can start in Safe
Causes
Mode, use MSConfig to narrow down
 Bad drivers the source of the issue for services, and
 Incompatible or failed services use Device Manager for drivers.
Resolutions
• MSConfig
– Safe Mode • Device Manager

• ListSvc
• Disable
– Recovery Console
• F8 to enable boot logging
– Boot logging • Information provided in
Ntbtlog.txt
Issues in the Logon Process
Can appear in several ways, typically as
error messages or hangs
Causes
 Incompatible or damaged application
 User profile issues
 Network issues
 Logon script issues
Resolutions
 Safe Mode
 MSConfig
 New user profile
 Alternate user account
 Disable network adapter
 Test without logon script
What Is Recovery Console?
Command: Winnt32.exe /Cmdcons
Troubleshooting feature in
Windows XP
Provides access to operating
system to
 Copy, rename or replace
operating system files and
folders
 Enable or disable devices and
services
 Repair the file system boot
sector and Master Boot
Record (MBR)
 Create and format partitions
on drives
 Repair Boot.ini

Requires Administrator password

What Is My Computer Information?

New tool in Help and Support providing easy access

to:
Computer status

General system information Hardware information

Software information
Advanced System Information
Administrator Accounts

A user with a Computer The Computer Administrator account is

Administrator account: intended for someone who can make
system-wide changes to the computer,
Can create and delete user accounts install software, and access all non-private
on the computer files on the computer. Only a user with a
Computer Administrator account has full
Can change other users' account
access to other user accounts on the
names, pictures, passwords, and computer.
account types
Can manage his or her network
passwords
Install software and change system
configuration
Cannot change his or her own
account type to Limited unless there
is at least one other user with a
Computer Administrator account.
Limited Accounts
A user with a Limited account:
 Can access programs that have already been
installed on the computer The Limited account is intended for
 Can change their account picture and can someone who should be prohibited
also create, change, or delete their password from changing most computer settings
and deleting important files.
 Can manage their network passwords, create
a reset password disk, and set up their
account to use a Microsoft .NET Passport
 Cannot change their account name or
account type
 Cannot install software or hardware

Some programs might not work properly for users with

Limited accounts.
 Change the user's account type to Computer
Administrator, either temporarily or
permanently.
Special User Accounts
Guest account Owner account
For someone with no user •Created during installation if
account on the computer no user accounts are set up at
that time
No password •Computer Administrator
privileges
Off by default
•Can be renamed
A user logged on to the guest
account: There are two additional user accounts in
Windows XP Home Edition and Professional
 Cannot change the guest •Guest
account type •Owner
 Cannot install software or
hardware
Owner
 Can access applications
 Can change guest account
picture
Summary
Windows XP Home Edition
 Administrator logon only available in safe mode
 No configurable group accounts

Two types of user accounts in Windows XP Home Edition and Professional

(Disjoined with simple sharing turned on)
 Computer Administrator
 Limited

Two special user accounts

 Guest
 Owner

Windows XP Home Edition and Professional provide different levels of support

for users and groups

Password hints
 Available in Home Edition and Professional (disjoined)
 Assist a user if they forgot their password
Password Reset Disk
Log on without knowing the
password if the user created a
Password Reset Disk
 Can only be used for local user
accounts
 User doesn’t lose local user
account settings, applications, or
data if the account password is
forgotten

Useful in the following situations:

 User has forgotten password for
a seldom used account
 User has forgotten the local
Administrator password
Using the Password Reset Disk

To use the Password Reset Disk

 CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at main
logon screen
 Enter username click OK
 Follow the prompts to reset
password
For the password reset option to
be available during logon the
user must have already created
the disk
There is no need to update the
disk after creation
Microsoft Windows XP

Training Complete