file systems using in windows xp

after you create the installation partition, setup prompts you to select the file system with which to format the partition.like microsoft windows NT 4 and microsoft windows 2000 professional, windows xp professional supports the NT file system (NTFS or new technology file system) and file allocation table (FAT). both windows 2000 professional and windows xp professional supports FAT 32.

use NTFS when the partition on which windows xp professional will reside requires any of the following features.

• file and folder level security. NTFS allows you to control access to files and folders.
• disk compression. NTFS compresses file sto store more data on the partition.
• disk quota. NTFS allows you to control disk usage on a per-user basis.
• encryption. NTFS allows you to encrypt file data on the physical hard disk, using the microsoft encrypting file system (EFS)

the version of NTFS in windows xp professional supports remote storage, dynamic volumes, and mounting volumes to folders. windows xp professional, windows 2000, windows 2003, and windows NT are the only operating systems that can access data on a local hard disk formatted with NTFS.

FAT and FAT 32

FAT and FAt 32 offer compatibility with other operating systems. you must format the system partition with either FAT or FAT 32 if you will dual boot windows xp professional and another operating system that requires FAT or FAt 32.

FAT and FAT 32 do not offer many of the features (for example, file level security) that NTFS supports.therefore in most situations you should format the hard disk with NTFS. the only reason to use FAT or FAT 32 is for dual booting with another operating system that does not supports NTFS. if you are setting up a computer for dual booting you need to format only the system partitions as FAt or FAT 32. for example if drive C: is the system partition you could format drive C: as FAt or FAT 32 and format drive D: as NTFS.

disk partitions

the windows xp professional setup program examine the hard disk to determine its existing configuration.setup then allows you to install windows xp professional on an existing partition or to create a new partition on which to install it.

new partition or existing partition

depending on the hard disk configuration, do one of the following during installation.

• if the hard disk unpartitioned, create and size windows xp professional partition.
• if the hard disk partitioned and contains enough unpartitioned disk space use the unpartitioned space to create windows xp professional partition.
• if the existing partition is large enough, install windows xp professional on that partition.installing on an existing partition overwrites any existing data.
• if the existing partition is not large enough, delete it to provide more unpartitioned disk space for creating the windows xp professional partition.

remaining free hard disk space

although you can use setup to create other partitions, you should create and size only the partition on which you will install windows xp professional.after you install windows xp professional, use the disk management tool to partition any remaining unpartitioned space on the hard disk.

installation partition size

microsoft recommends installing windows xp professional on a 1.5 or larger partition.although windows xp professional requires less disk space for installation, using a larger installation partition provides the flexibility to install windows xp professional updates, operating system tools, programms, user documents or other necessary files in the future.

what is hardware compatibility list (HCL)

although the windows xp professional setup wizard automatically checks your hardware and software for potential conflicts.before you install windows xp professional you should verify that your hardware is on the windows xp professional HCL.microsoft provide tested drivers for the listed devices only.using hardware not listed on HCL could cause problems during and after installation.the most version of HCL for released operating systems are on the microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx

note - if your hardware is not in the HCL the hardware manufacturer might be able to provide you with a windows xp professional driver for the component.

remove autorun.inf virusus using command prompt

use "attrib" to check for Viruses or Malware

"attrib" is a very useful tool to check if your hard drives even your usb disks have been infected by a virus.

You will know if a Malware is inside your hard drive just by looking at the attributes of each files and the file that has the attributes of +s +h +r

The function of attrib is to set and remove file attributes (read-only, archive, system and hidden).

start attrib

To start attrib

1. Go to Start Menu > Run

2. Type cmd (cmd stands for command prompt)

3. Press Enter key

The Command Prompt will appear showing us where is our location in the directory.

using attrib

To use attrib

Go to command prompt

1 then Go to the root of the directory first by typing cd\ then press enter.(because this is always the target of Malware / Virus)

2. Type attrib and press Enter key

+s - meaning it is a system file (which also means that you cannot delete it just by using the delete command)

+h - means it is hidden (so you cannot delete it)

+r - means it is a read only file ( which also means that you cannot delete it just by using the delete command)

Now we need to set the attributes of autorun.inf to -s -h -r (so that we can manually delete it)

1. Type attrib -s -h -r autorun.inf in command prompt and press enter.( be sure to include -s -h -r because you cannot change the attributes using only -s or -h or -r alone)

2. Type attrib again to check if your changes have been commited

3. If the autorun.inf file has no more attributes, you can now delete it by typing del autorun.inf

Repeat these steps for removing virusus from the other partitions,external hard disks or usb drives.

NOTE : when autorun.inf keeps coming back even if you already deleted it, be sure to check your Task Manager by pressing CTRL + ALT + DELETE ( a virus is still running as a process. that’s why you cannot delete it. KILL the process first by selecting it and clicking End Process.use process killing softwares like runscanner or autoruns to view suspected process.you can find these softwares in here

hardware requirements

you must determine whether your hardware meets or exceeds the minimum requirement for installing and operating windows xp professional.

windows xp professional hardware requirement.

• processor - pentium 233 mhz or equivalent
• memory - 64 MB minimum, 128 MB recommend, 4 GB maximum
• hard disk space - At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk
• display - Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600)or higher resolution
• other drives - CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive (not required for installing windows xp professional over a network)
• accessories - keyboard and mouse or other pointing device.