Andy -

Just be sure to check, if you're putting WinXP on the machine you've been using, that the machine meets the requirements for WinXP. Some older machines do have trouble running it.

Once your new Operating System (OS) is running, you should make sure you have at least an AntiVirus program installed and working before attempting any connection to the internet. WinXP, if it's SP2, has an "adequate" built in AV that should turn on automatically. You'll likely want something better later, but the built-in one should be good enough to continue setup if you're careful about where you go.

If you're purchasing WinXP, by now it should be "WinXP SP2." If by some chance it doesn't include SP2 you should go to the Microsoft download site and ask for the free SP2 CD, which they'll snail-mail to you, but it will take a week or two. You can download the SP2 files, but my recollection is that it's around 800 MB, which isn't practical unless you've got a very fast connection. You NEED to have the SP2 CD for future maintenance, if your installation disk isn't an SP2 version.

Since new patches/updates come out at least monthly, it's unlikely that a new installation of WinXP from a CD will be really up to date, so as soon as you've got it running you should visit the Microsoft Update Site and get it set up for regular updates. (This link is intended for US users, others should find the one for their location - just go to microsoft.com and play around - try the support area - and it shouldn't be difficult to find if you need a different one.)

Although it will make some here cringe and cry, I have to say it, for less experienced users:

At the Microsoft Update site, TRUST MICROSOFT AND DO WHAT THEY ASK YOU TO.

(Pause until the screams subside. Console the injured, and continue.)

At a first visit to the update site, you'll be asked to validate your copy and will need the proper codes from your CD package. (Your installation CD may give you an option to "register" and/or "validate - two different processes - during installation, so this may already have been done.)

Once in, you may be asked to let them install an update manager and possibly an XML package, after which they'll look for specific files on your machine to see what you need. They don't CARE who you are so don't worry about them "spying" on you.

Choose the Express Install, and they'll download and install the Critical Updates (security related) that you need.

You should, when/if offered, set up for automatic updates for the future.

When you visit the update site "manually," especially with a new installation, there may be a lot to download. Although it's recommended that you get everything up to date as quickly as possible, you can select as many as you have time for, and leave the rest for later. They will give you an estimate of how long each item should take, but it's not necessarily exact. If you get set up for automatic updates, the rest of what you need should - eventually - get download in the background while you use your computer.

John