Greetings, All.
This has probably been answered here someplace, but seeing as there are
about a gajillion questions and answers, I figured it'd be quicker to ask
afresh. So:
I have a few-years old Dell (WinXP SP3 and all attendant updates) that is
suffering from the usual ailments; slowness, etc. I'm PRETTY sure it came
with a recovery disk vice an actual WinXP disc [I'm at work, and it's at
home].
My question (in a few parts) is this:

Since these discs are supposed to return your PC to "factory condition", is
there a difference between just popping it in and going, or doing a complete
format and THEN reinstalling? Does either carry an advantage?

Part II: if indeed it is a Recovery disc, is there a way to backup the
beaucoup updates that have come out since then, or am I doomed to redownload
alllllll of them? :-p

Part III: if I luck out and it's a WinXP disc instead of Recovery, what is
the *best* way to create a slipstream disc, so as to avoid the aforementioned
re-downloading horror?

Many thanks!
Chuck

"Chuck" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:7F2C83E5-ACFE-4541-85D0-(E-Mail Removed)...
> My question (in a few parts) is this:
>
> Since these discs are supposed to return your PC to "factory condition",
> is
> there a difference between just popping it in and going, or doing a
> complete
> format and THEN reinstalling? Does either carry an advantage?

Image restore (to factory condition) will bring back all preloaded
junk/trial software.

> Part II: if indeed it is a Recovery disc, is there a way to backup the
> beaucoup updates that have come out since then, or am I doomed to
> redownload
> alllllll of them? :-p

You'll have to redownload/reinstall service packs and updates.

> Part III: if I luck out and it's a WinXP disc instead of Recovery, what is
> the *best* way to create a slipstream disc, so as to avoid the
> aforementioned
> re-downloading horror?

You can slipstream service pack into the original setup CD but you'll still
have to (re)download the service pack (SP3). Post SP3 updates are not
"slipstreamable".

On Jan 20, 5:47*pm, Chuck <Ch...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Greetings, All.
> This has probably been answered here someplace, but seeing as there are
> about a gajillion questions and answers, I figured it'd be quicker to ask
> afresh. So:
> I have a few-years old Dell (WinXP SP3 and all attendant updates) that is
> suffering from the usual ailments; slowness, etc. I'm PRETTY sure it came
> with a recovery disk vice an actual WinXP disc [I'm at work, and it's at
> home].
> My question (in a few parts) is this:
>
> Since these discs are supposed to return your PC to "factory condition", is
> there a difference between just popping it in and going, or doing a complete
> format and THEN reinstalling? Does either carry an advantage?
>
> Part II: if indeed it is a Recovery disc, is there a way to backup the
> beaucoup updates that have come out since then, or am I doomed to redownload
> alllllll of them? :-p
>
> Part III: if I luck out and it's a WinXP disc instead of Recovery, what is
> the *best* way to create a slipstream disc, so as to avoid the aforementioned
> re-downloading horror?
>
> Many thanks!
> Chuck

The only major advantage of the recovery systems is the fact that "all
drivers" will be install back onto the PC. When using a "generic" XP
install CD, you will need to locate several "missing" drivers after XP
is installed,

"Chuck" <(E-Mail Removed)> said this in news item
news:7F2C83E5-ACFE-4541-85D0-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Greetings, All.
> This has probably been answered here someplace, but seeing as there are
> about a gajillion questions and answers, I figured it'd be quicker to ask
> afresh. So:
> I have a few-years old Dell (WinXP SP3 and all attendant updates) that is
> suffering from the usual ailments; slowness, etc. I'm PRETTY sure it came
> with a recovery disk vice an actual WinXP disc [I'm at work, and it's at
> home].
> My question (in a few parts) is this:
>
> Since these discs are supposed to return your PC to "factory condition",
> is
> there a difference between just popping it in and going, or doing a
> complete
> format and THEN reinstalling? Does either carry an advantage?
*** A factory restore disk usually involves repartitioning and formatting.
*** Installation of Windows will then proceed more or less automatically.
*** A manual format & installation is much more demanding because
*** you have to locate the necessary drivers.

> Part II: if indeed it is a Recovery disc, is there a way to backup the
> beaucoup updates that have come out since then, or am I doomed to
> redownload
> alllllll of them? :-p
>
*** You're doomed.

> Part III: if I luck out and it's a WinXP disc instead of Recovery, what is
> the *best* way to create a slipstream disc, so as to avoid the
> aforementioned
> re-downloading horror?
*** Best to consult one of the many Google references for creating
*** slipstream CDs, e.g. http://theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd.htm
> Many thanks!
> Chuck

Chuck wrote:
> Greetings, All.
> This has probably been answered here someplace, but seeing as there
> are about a gajillion questions and answers, I figured it'd be
> quicker to ask afresh. So:
> I have a few-years old Dell (WinXP SP3 and all attendant updates)
> that is suffering from the usual ailments; slowness, etc. I'm PRETTY
> sure it came with a recovery disk vice an actual WinXP disc [I'm at
> work, and it's at home].
> My question (in a few parts) is this:
>
> Since these discs are supposed to return your PC to "factory
> condition", is there a difference between just popping it in and
> going, or doing a complete format and THEN reinstalling? Does either
> carry an advantage?
>
> Part II: if indeed it is a Recovery disc, is there a way to backup the
> beaucoup updates that have come out since then, or am I doomed to
> redownload alllllll of them? :-p
>
> Part III: if I luck out and it's a WinXP disc instead of Recovery,
> what is the *best* way to create a slipstream disc, so as to avoid
> the aforementioned re-downloading horror?
>

Re-installation to cure slowness is like hitting a tree to stop the car.
Other solutions are more appropriate (like using the brakes). Only if all
else fails should you aim for the tree.