How do I set up IIS on my WinXP computer

First time poster. I have an IBM P/IV 256 mem, 30GB, DSL, Cisco PIX 501 firewall.
I want to install a webserver on my WinXP system. (1). In using the add components
on WinXP, Do I just check the IIS box, it now states 84 MB with a number of other
items such as IE explorer etc, if I uncheck them it says it will delete them, If I leave
them alone, will it just install the IIS. (2). Are there any checklists etc.. on the
installation, maintenance and use of IIS. (3). Will this act as a webserver for my
home page. Thanks in advance for any replies. I really appreciate any help at all.

I think you are correct: just select Internet Information Services (IIS) from the Add/Remove components dialog box. Complete the wizard, and then run the IIS Management console from the Administrative Tools in the Control Panel. From there, you should be able to configure it as you want it to setup your homepage.

In addition, make sure you are an Administrator user when you install IIS. I have never attempted an IIS5 install on a FAT filesystem but I suspect it will cause problems, I recommend NTFS. With NTFS, I'd disable the "simple file sharing" setting.

Don't uncheck any of the other windows components just add the selections for IIS. Yes, if you uncheck other windows components they will be uninstalled.

Thanks very much for the replies. I will try to install the IIS as you all
state. Although I do not understand about the NTFS statement. I
currently installed windows with FAT32. I have (2) disk drives, c &
E, and both are FAT32. Will I have a problem installing plain vanilla
IIS as it is directly from the checked component install. What should I do.
Thanks in advance.

NTFS is a filesystem that's supported by Windows NT, 2000, XP and 2003. One major difference from FAT is that NT supports ACL's (access control lists) providing user-based security for files. FAT doesn't support this security model, it's more a share or don't-share security.

I have never run IIS on a FAT filesystem. I have read often that you don't want to run on FAT if your webserver is public. For private development, I suppose a FAT system will work, but you won't be able to duplicate the conditions you'd find on an IIS-based web host.

If it's feasible, I'd recommend converting your FAT filesystem to NTFS for best results. NTFS is a far superior filesystem imho. There is a convert command line utility provided with XP. Take a full backup first for good luck if you choose to convert. I have converted a small number of FAT XP computers to NTFS without any problems, but you just never know