Now that you’re finished building your PC, you’ll need to install an operating system. If you want to use Windows XP and you don’t have an old disc lying around, you can purchase an OEM version off of Newegg for $100.
Since we didn’t factor in the price for the OS, the choice is yours; XP, Vista, or even the readily available Windows 7 Beta. We chose to use an old XP key from a previous build to install and run our benchmarks, which we believe is what most budget-minded builders would do.
Check the following before you decide to install an operating system:
- All the parts are properly seated
- All the cables are in place
- Double check that the front panel connections are correct
- Plug in the monitor, keyboard, and mouse
- Plug in the power cord to the PSU
- Flip the PSU switch to the on position
When everything is read to go, press the power and voila! Hit the DEL key during startup to be taken to the BIOS screen.
Go to Advanced BIOS Features – Boot sequence and select the CD/DCD optical drive as your first boot device. Press ESC to go back and disable the Full Screen Logo Display to enable Quick Booting and increase your boot time. Once you’ve made the necessary changes, press F10 and select Yes. The PC will restart and during reboot, insert your Windows CD of choice into the optical drive and setup will begin. Follow the instructions to successfully install Windows.
After Windows has installed, head back to the BIOS set up and change the boot sequence to set it up so that the hard drive boots first and then the optical drive. Find the manufacturer’s CD that came with your MOBO and be sure to install all the appropriate drivers, as well as the drivers that came with your GPU.
Hooray! Now you’re all finished assembling this PC. That wasn’t so hard, now was it?
Since we didn’t factor in the price for the OS, the choice is yours; XP, Vista, or even the readily available Windows 7 Beta. We chose to use an old XP key from a previous build to install and run our benchmarks, which we believe is what most budget-minded builders would do.
Check the following before you decide to install an operating system:
- All the parts are properly seated
- All the cables are in place
- Double check that the front panel connections are correct
- Plug in the monitor, keyboard, and mouse
- Plug in the power cord to the PSU
- Flip the PSU switch to the on position
When everything is read to go, press the power and voila! Hit the DEL key during startup to be taken to the BIOS screen.
Go to Advanced BIOS Features – Boot sequence and select the CD/DCD optical drive as your first boot device. Press ESC to go back and disable the Full Screen Logo Display to enable Quick Booting and increase your boot time. Once you’ve made the necessary changes, press F10 and select Yes. The PC will restart and during reboot, insert your Windows CD of choice into the optical drive and setup will begin. Follow the instructions to successfully install Windows.
After Windows has installed, head back to the BIOS set up and change the boot sequence to set it up so that the hard drive boots first and then the optical drive. Find the manufacturer’s CD that came with your MOBO and be sure to install all the appropriate drivers, as well as the drivers that came with your GPU.
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