Upgrade Your BIOS in a Flash

If your computer's more than a year old, chances are there's a flash BIOS upgrade available from the manufacturer. Get it (usually via download from a BBS, Web site, or on CompuServe or America Online) and do the upgrade before you run the Windows 95 setup procedure.

Preflight Checklist

Make sure all your system components work properly before taking off on your first setup flight. If something "isn't quite right" before you install Win95, fix it or get rid of it.

Don't Upgrade to Win95

If you have the space, install Win95 into a fresh directory. It will take a bit longer to reinstall all the applications you want to keep, but you won't be stuck with all that stuff you don't want to keep. (For more on this, see "Optimizing Windows," December.)

Come Clean

If you do decide to upgrade over Windows 3.x, delete anything on the load= and run= lines in the [windows] section of WIN.INI. If you've been using a non-Windows shell extension, open SYSTEM.INI and restore the following line in the [boot] section: shell=progman.exe. Next, reboot the system and hold down the Ctrl key to bypass the Startup group applets (if any).

Do It the Hard Way

Resist the temptation to let Win95 decide what you need. Choose custom setup and take the time to select just the options you want. Note that Win95 usually has trouble finding a PS/2 mouse, and may think you have a standard serial mouse connected to COM1 even if you don't. It may also think you have an unknown monitor. In either case, highlight the appropriate device, click on the Change button and select the correct hardware.

Run Setup in Unprotected Mode

If your Startup files load any kind of virus protection, disable it and reboot. Some virus watchers will get quite upset at the Win95 setup procedure, so put them to sleep before starting the installation.

Power to the Peripherals

If you have any external devices you want Win95 to discover, turn them on before you run the setup procedure.

It's Not Over 'til it's Over

When Win95 finally opens at the conclusion of a successful setup procedure, select Control Panel/System and then the Device Manager tab. Scan the list of devices under the Computer icon and check for missing hardware (CD-ROM drive, for example), an incorrect modem or monitor, duplicate entries (especially under the Mouse icon), warning icons overlaid on other icons and anything else that doesn't look quite right. With luck, everything will be in order, but if not, now's the time to make the necessary corrections. Once that's done, the setup procedure is truly over. Enjoy!

Close Everything

Both Win3.1x and Win95 run a lot of little programs that don't shown up on the task list or the task bar. In Win3.1x, you couldn't shut them down if they were running properly. In Win95, you can see a list of these "behind the scenes" programs by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete. This brings up a Close Program dialog box. Your installation may go more smoothly if you close or shut down everything but Explorer. When you're done with your install, use Alt+F4 to shut down Windows. When it's safe to do so, turn off the power to your computer and restart.

Options? Just Say No

When reviewing the various lists of installable options, if you're not sure what something is, don't select it. Do you really need the Calculator? Screen Savers? If you don't, clear the appropriate check boxes to save a bit of space. If you guess wrong, you can always use Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs applet later on. Select the Windows Setup tab and you'll find a complete list of components waiting to be installed.

Don't Overlook Accessibility

The Accessibility Options are a series of enhancements for users with various physical impairments. Even if you don't need them, install them anyway. They don't need much space, and the ToggleKeys option on the Keyboard tab is a welcome addition to anyone's system. It discreetly beeps at you if you hit the Caps Lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys, accidentally or on purpose. Check out the Mouse tab, as well.

What's the Password?

When prompted to enter a user name (required) and password (optional), don't enter the latter unless you really want password protection. That way you won't be pestered for a password every time you start Windows. You can always disable the password prompt later, but if you know you don't want it, skip it now and be done with it.

Let Win95 Help

In Win95, you're never alone at installation time, particularly when you install new 32-bit apps. To access the installation wizard, select Start/Settings/Control Panel, then double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon. The Install/Uninstall tab is the default. Click on the Install button. Win95 searches for an install program on removable media, and will ask for your help if it can't find one.

Create a Rescue Diskette

In Win95, as in Win3.1x, installation of new applications sometimes renders your system unbootable. To help in these situations, create a bootable "rescue" floppy disk. Insert a diskette that's either blank or contains nothing you need. Select Start/Settings/Control Panel and double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon. Click on the Startup Disk tab then click on Create Disk. When Win95 is done, make the disk read-only, label it and test it to be sure you can boot your computer from it. To be extra safe, make two boot disks.

Here are some simple-yet-sound tips for upgrading from Windows 3.1x to Windows 95.

Make two complete backups of your hard drive.

Make sure you have the original installation disks for all your essential software.

Make on-disk copies of all critical system files (INI, GRP, DAT and PWD files, plus your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files).

Use MSD (Microsoft System Diagnostic) or a similar program to completely document your system setup.

Record all system and application passwords and software registration, validation or unlocking codes.

Choose one of the following options:Aggressive"Reformat your hard drive, reinstall minimal DOS and Windows.

Conservative"Pare your CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI to the bare essentials, eliminating as many nonstandard, third-party or unusual items as possible.

Delete or move your Startup group's contents.

Switch to a temporary swap file.

Switch to vanilla VGA or SVGA video.

Take special care to make sure you can get your e-mail connections back if you encounter some incompatibility.

Verify that everything's working properly.

Back out to DOS, run SCANDISK.EXE and fix any errors you may encounter.

Once you have as plain a setup as possible, you can install Windows 95 without the likelihood of running into problems. After your new operating system is running and stable, you can add or restore whatever unusual, custom or third-party items you desire.