Can I clean install from SP2 Upgrade CD?

[Andy Bonanno]

I may have to re-format my C Drive. Can I do a clean install of the XP SP2
CD if I am using WinXP Home OEM?

 

[Kelly]

What problems are you having, Andy?

 

[Andy Bonanno]

I have 2 other posts in this newsgroup that explain the problem I'm having.
The posts are dated 10/6/04 and 10/9/04, and are titled "System files
damaged?" and "System Restore worked twice then quit." respectively and I
haven't been able to get any help for my problem other than being told which
program I asked about (SFC). That program didn't want to work in windows
either. I had to run it from a command window. It didn't give me any
feedback, so I don't know what it did, if anything. It just ran and
concluded with a new prompt.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Andy,

I had to run it from a command window. It didn't give me any
feedback, so I don't know what it did, if anything. It just ran and
concluded with a new prompt.

That is what it is supposed to do. If it didn't ask you to place the XP CD
in (depending on where or how your pointer is set), this has nothing to do
with system files.

As for System Restore, (if you have moved them - not a great idea, you will
have issues):

Restore/Enable System Restore (Line 278)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449

Added info:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD
2. Click Start/Run and type:
"rundll32.exe advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection C:\Windows\Inf\sr.inf"

System Restore core files should be reinstalled.

Alternately, you may also open Windows Explorer, navigate to
"C:\Windows\Inf" folder and right-click sr.inf (choose Install)

Single Click Creation of a System Restore Point/Runs as a Scheduled Task
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_sysrestorepoint.htm

System Restore Issues Discussed Here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

Troubleshooting System Restore in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q302796&

System Restore by Anshul Rawat [MS]
http://microsoft.com/technet/itcommunity/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.asp

 

[Alex Nichol]

I may have to re-format my C Drive. Can I do a clean install of the XP SP2
CD if I am using WinXP Home OEM?

The SP2 CD is only additional to an installation, not a complete one in
its own right (though it may feel big enough). So you need to do a
reinstall of your existing Home system, probably in a New Install
hitting ESC when it asks for a confirmation on where so you can delete
the present partition and make a fresh one for a true clean install.
Then when it is running, before connecting to the net *at all* run the
SP2 program from it