I need some tips.

I have a few questions. I recently restarted my campaign because I was a fool, and decided to kill everything, waste all my ammo, and boards on windows I didn't need to. I'll outline them down below.

My first question. What windows should I board up? The ones I haven't boarded up at least in my new playthrough. In my first playthrough I boarded up the entire West Hallway, and East Hallway. I only had one board left by the time I found it. At the point of my new playthrough I've only boarded up the window by the Dark Room, and the entire East Hallway. I've heard that I'll be going through that area a lot, and that in the West I can use shortcuts to bypass the zombies. I had plans to board up the hallway by the Break Room, and from what I've heard one window by the Interrogation Room. I've used four so far, and I know I only get seven.

My second question. In my first playthrough when I was down in the cell block I had triggered the Mr. X cutscene where he kills the reporter. I found the fuse to open up the cells, but I had seen a few playthroughs where Mr. X cuts you off when you're trying to escape. Will he show up in the Cell Block after you open it up, and are trying to escape? Even if you haven't doused the helicopter, or only after you have?

My last question. I'm trying to get the Magnum. I've heard multiple sources saying you can only get the Magnum after Mr. X has spawned. Yet again I'm bringing up my first playthrough, because I haven't made it that far yet in my new one. I came up from the Parking Garage to the staircase by the Break Room. I opened up the door to the Watchman's Room. I took the long way around, and made my way back up stairs, and used the lever to open up the other door near the Chief's Office, and the stairs. I was able to go outside, but I was also of course able to access the Interrogation Room. I need the club key to get in there, and get the box, and I know the key is in the Boiler Room. I didn't go down the ladder, because I didn't want to chance anything. I never checked out the Boiler Room. Do you have to douse the helicopter, to be able to access the Boiler Room? I would think that would be a silly reason to be able to get in there, but I figured I'd ask. It seems so easy to get down there, grab the key, and go back up, and around to the Interrogation Room, but I want to make sure it's not forcing anything on me. Of course getting Mr. X to spawn is the easiest way to get back across to the S.T.A.R.S. Office because the path is clear, but I wouldn't mind taking the long way around. Couldn't I just go down to the Boiler Room, and get it, get the box open, and go back across without him spawning?

It's partially because I'm terrified of the Tyrant, and part of me also doesn't want to deal with the pain in the tail for as long as possible. I'm open to any advice, tips, or suggestions. Thank you. 😄