How to Install Windows XP on an Eee PC 900 Xandros Model Netbook

The Eee PC 900 and 900A model netbooks comes installed with the custom Linux distro Xandros pre-installed. If you find the model limited, or you're more comfortable using Windows, then it is possible to wipe the machine and install Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. This task isn't particularly difficult, but it is time consuming, and requires basic knowledge of computers.

Note: If your Eee PC has a 4GB or 2GB SSD, it will require you to reduce the size of your install using an application like NLite.

Step 1

Get an external USB CD drive. It is possible to install XP without a CD drive, but it is complicated and time-consuming, and there is no guarantee that it work. Plug the USB drive into the Eee PC 900, insert the Windows XP CD, then restart the laptop and press TAB to enter the boot menu. Scroll down and choose "External CD" from the menu.

Step 2

The Windows XP installation screen should appear. Follow the prompts to install the software as you would on any other machine. The process will have several stages, and may reboot. Overall, it can take many hours to install Windows XP, so be patient and only install it on a day when you can afford to go without your computer.

Step 3

Once the OS is installed, you will need to either connect to a wireless network, or to connect to the Internet using an Ethernet cable. If your wireless card doesn't work because you lack the appropriate drivers, then you will need to use the Ethernet first.

Navigate to Asus' website and download the drivers specific for the Eee PC 900 netbook. It will take awhile to download and install them all, but this step is crucial for the operating system to function properly.

Step 4

After you have downloaded all of the drivers and installed them, run the update manager and install any updates that it prompts you with. Once the updates are installed, it will be necessary to reboot for them to take effect. Reboot the system, then login with the info you setup. Try to connect to the wifi, to an external display, to an external hard drive, to your mp3 player and/or camera. If something doesn't connect or run properly, you will need to install the driver separately.