Hi All Having just successfully completed building my PC, I installed XP Home. During install, I only had a graphics card connected to a monitor, and a keyboard plugged in. I completed the time zone, language settings and internet stuff during the install (all of which can be done via a keyboard), but then it gets to a screen which does a funky graphic and then says something like: "Now, lets set XP Home up so it works the way YOU want it to... click Next". At this point I realised I hadn't got a mouse plugged in. So I plugged one in, and, of course, it didn't work - it had to be booted with the mouse already in. So I rebooted, thinking it would take me straight back to the same setup wizard - but it just booted me to the default XP desktop. So, my questions are as follows: 1) Are there any setting which that process would have taken care of which I really need to know about - or is it all just preferences which I'll probable set myself through control panel, etc, anyway? 2) I have since heard that it is more sensible to install XP with all your sound cards and other hardware connected for XP to communicate with them in the most efficient way. Is this common knowledge, or just a bunch of cr@p? As always, your advice is really appreciated Tom

You do know if you didn't have your mouse plugged in you could have simply used the "Tab" key to get to any box or field. 1. I believe it's just all perferences. 2. If you already have your hardware connected during the OS install then you want have to do it yourself when the OS is finished installing. I don't see any reason why you wouldn't have all the hardware installed unless it wasn't compatible with the OS or it was crashing the install.

Yes, install all the hardware first, I would go back and start all over by re-formatting to start with a clean HDD.

mbrook - yes, I do know that - but it wasn't working on that screen. (Worked with all the normal dialogue boxes beforehand - just not with that first screen) I didn't have the hardware in because this was my first ever build, and I want to put some stupidly expensive components in there - didn't want them blowing up first time! Thanks both for your advice. Will redo right now! Cheers Tom