JSI Tip 4145. Windows XP Read1st.txt File Contents.

The Windows XP Read1st.txt File Contains:

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"Read First" Release Notes
Windows XP
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CONTENTS

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MORE INFORMATION

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1.0 Read Me First

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Before you install Windows XP, print and read this document forcritical preinstallation information concerning this release. For themost up-to-date list of supported hardware, see the HardwareCompatibility List at the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/). In addition, print and read the following files located in the docs folder on your Windows XP compact disc (CD):

* Setup instructions

* Release notes (relnotes.htm), important compatibility and postinstallation information.

New features are described in detail in Windows XP Help and SupportServices. To open Help and Support Services, after completing Setup,click Start, and then click Help and Support.

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2.0 System Requirements for Installation

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For the full list of system requirements, see the Setup instructionsfor your operating system referenced in the readme.htm file on yourWindows XP CD.

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3.0 Preinstallation Notes

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Before you install Windows XP on your computer, be sure to read thissection. This section contains information about issues that affectthe installation process. By using this information to perform your installation, you can ensure that the installation process proceeds smoothly and that Windows XP functions correctly.

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3.1 Windows Product Activation (WPA)

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Products: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional only

If you are prompted to activate your installation of Windows XP, deferactivation until you have completed planned upgrades or changes toyour computer's FIXED hardware and their device drivers. Otherwise,you may need to reactivate after making such changes. FIXED hardware/drivers include the first instance of devices such asvideo, network (excluding modems), SCSI, hard drives, CD-ROM/DVD, andsystem memory. USB or other removable devices (such as cameras andprinters) do not affect activation.

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3.2 Using Passwords

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3.2.1 Password Backup Disk
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Products: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional only

If you created a password backup disk for a previous version ofWindows, this process has changed. Re-create your password backup diskfor Windows XP.

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3.2.2 Restrictions on the Use of Blank Passwords
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Windows XP has a new default security feature that helps protect userswith blank passwords from network-based attacks. Users who do not password-protect their accounts can only log on at their physical computer console: the monitor, keyboard, and mouse that is physically connected to their computer. This restriction only applies to local user accounts, not to domain user accounts.

Caution: If your computer is not in a physically secured location, youshould assign strong passwords to all local user accounts. Failure todo so allows anyone with physical access to the computer to log onusing a user account that does not have a password. This is especiallyimportant for portable computers, which should always have strongpasswords on all local user accounts.

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3.3 Software Compatibility Issues

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3.3.1 Message Queuing
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Products: Windows XP Home Edition only

Message Queuing is not supported on Windows XP Home Edition. If youare upgrading from Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows MillenniumEdition computers running MSMQ version 1.0, consider upgrading yourcomputer to Windows XP Professional.


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4.0 Copyright

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This document provides late-breaking or other information thatsupplements the Windows XP documentation.

Information in this document, including URL and other Internet Website references, is subject to change without notice and is providedfor informational purposes only. The entire risk of the use or resultsof the use of this document remains with the user, and MicrosoftCorporation makes no warranties, either express or implied. Unlessotherwise noted, the example companies, organizations, products,people and events depicted herein are fictitious and no associationwith any real company, organization, product, person or event isintended or should be inferred. Complying with all applicablecopyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting therights under copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced,stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in anyform or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express writtenpermission of Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks,copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subjectmatter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any writtenlicense agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document doesnot give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, orother intellectual property.

(c) 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are either registeredtrademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United Statesand/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be thetrademarks of their respective owners.

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