Now that you have set CMOS, you are ready to load your operating system.
This could be just about anything, but for sake of argument, we'll assume you'll be using the most popular OS (operating system) out. You'll need a BOOT disk or BOOT USB device, and might need to alter your BIOS settings to see that boot device with the initial setup program on it. Pre-configured systems have the OS already installed. Most parts manufacturer's understand you'll need a boot device (and will charge you for it). Some OEM (original equipment manufacturers), like Windows or Linux, have ready made boot discs forsale at a huge discount with the parts for a new computer. That is always worth looking at getting and having on hand for each and every computer you have.
For ease of discussion we will assume that you are going to install the most popular operating system currently in existence, as 220 million others around the world have... Microsoft Windows, and assume that the hard disk drive is brand new.
 | You should have bootable something - DVD or USB drive. |
| Insert the boot device, make sure you set your BIOS to boot from that device if it doesn't find it the first time around |
| IF your BIOS has a virus checker, make sure it is DISABLED in your BIOS - or you might get erroneous errors, because you are trying to write to the boot-sector of the hard drive, which is ALL this virus protector can detect and verify (the actual attempt - NOT whether there is a virus or not). |
| Turn on the computer and following the bootup installation prompts. |
The only problems might be your Hard drive isn't configured correctly, or boot device might not function correctly. If either of these problems occur, you will need to solve them before continuing. Basic Trouble Shooting might help you.
The installation program Microsoft has now is pretty nice. It will partition, low level format, and high level format the Hard Disk Drive automatically (with prompts). The set up process will automatically transfer all of the necessary files that are needed to run the system. Setup will ask you questions... these days, even some of your personal information. It should 'auto-detect' most of the modern devices, like the keyboard, mouse and display that you are using. Read the screens carefully and follow the instructions. In most cases the defaults are the best choice.
Once Windows is successfully installed, move to the next step.
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Copyright 1998 - 2017 T.E. Mercer, all rights reserved. This page was last updated
16 April 2000