WinXP Pro SP2 on CD-ROM?

[Robbie in Houston]

Hi all,
I'm trying to help out my aunt. She's using XP Pro SP2 and got hold of a
virus. McAfee deleted four files that were infected, and now the computer
moves EXTREMELY slowly - it takes about 10 minutes for the start menu to
appear after clicking the start button. She is unable to do a system
restore, and when trying to repair the Windows install from the CD, it
errors out because the CD is not SP2 - says something like the files you
have are newer than the CD. I'm 300 miles away from her and I don't know
the exact error messages she's getting. She didn't write down the names of
the files that were deleted. Is there a way to obtain XP Pro SP2 on CD-ROM,
so as to repair the Windows installation, without re-purchasing? If not, is
there anything else I can do without reinstalling from scratch? Any help is
GREATLY appreciated.

Robbie

 

[Malke]

Hi all,
I'm trying to help out my aunt. She's using XP Pro SP2 and got hold
of a
virus. McAfee deleted four files that were infected, and now the
computer moves EXTREMELY slowly - it takes about 10 minutes for the
start menu to
appear after clicking the start button. She is unable to do a system
restore, and when trying to repair the Windows install from the CD, it
errors out because the CD is not SP2 - says something like the files
you
have are newer than the CD. I'm 300 miles away from her and I don't
know
the exact error messages she's getting. She didn't write down the
names of
the files that were deleted. Is there a way to obtain XP Pro SP2 on
CD-ROM,
so as to repair the Windows installation, without re-purchasing? If
not, is
there anything else I can do without reinstalling from scratch? Any
help is GREATLY appreciated.

Robbie

I doubt your aunt's computer is clean. She definitely should not attempt
to install Service Pack 2 on this computer at this time. Here are links
to help her clean up her machine and to get and prepare for SP2, but I
strongly suggest that she simply take the machine to a local
professional computer repair shop. You aren't going to be able to walk
her through what will be necessary.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When the computer is known to be clean and is working well, get SP2 and
follow the SP2 checklists before installing:

Download full SP2 - http://tinyurl.com/5bobl
Order SP2 on CD from MS - http://tinyurl.com/6g675
SP2 links to OEMs - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2? -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_s.htm#sp2 - Windows SP2 Information,
Guidelines and Troubleshooting

Follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist -
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

Malke

 

[Malke]

I doubt your aunt's computer is clean. She definitely should not
attempt to install Service Pack 2 on this computer at this time. Here
are links to help her clean up her machine and to get and prepare for
SP2, but I strongly suggest that she simply take the machine to a
local professional computer repair shop. You aren't going to be able
to walk her through what will be necessary.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

You know, I just reread your post and realized that I misunderstood part
of your question. I thought you were asking how to get SP2 on CD, but
on closer reading I see that your aunt's machine already has SP2 and
you were asking how to get the whole operating system on CD. I
apologize for misinterpreting what you said.

Regarding getting an XP CD:
How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the PC.

Regarding slipstreaming SP2 into an XP CD (if applicable):
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
- AutoStreamer
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49
http://www.windows-help.net/windowsxp/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

I still think your aunt's computer isn't clean and the best thing for
her to do would be to take it to a pro.

Malke

 

[Robbie in Houston]

Thanks for your help. I think I will still have her take it to a pro, but
the Slipstreaming answer is what I was looking for. She already has XP on
CD - pre SP1. I was looking for a way to upgrade to SP2 on CD without
buying another upgrade. This will allow a fresh reinstall from SP2 without
having to install pre SP1 and then do Win Update. Please correct me if I'm
wrong.

Robbie

 

[Andrew Murray]

You can get the service pack on CD - contact Microsoft, they'll send it to
you.

 

[Malke]

Thanks for your help. I think I will still have her take it to a pro,
but
the Slipstreaming answer is what I was looking for. She already has
XP on
CD - pre SP1. I was looking for a way to upgrade to SP2 on CD without
buying another upgrade. This will allow a fresh reinstall from SP2
without
having to install pre SP1 and then do Win Update. Please correct me
if I'm wrong.

No, that's quite right. I'm glad we're on the same page! I like
Autostreamer for slipstreaming, but any of those links I gave you will
work. Also, any competent professional computer repair shop would be
able to make a slipstreamed XP disk for your aunt.

Malke

 

[Ron Martell]

Thanks for your help. I think I will still have her take it to a pro, but
the Slipstreaming answer is what I was looking for. She already has XP on
CD - pre SP1. I was looking for a way to upgrade to SP2 on CD without
buying another upgrade. This will allow a fresh reinstall from SP2 without
having to install pre SP1 and then do Win Update. Please correct me if I'm
wrong.

Robbie

If you are going to make up a slipstreamed CD with SP2 and send it to
her then you need to ensure that the CD you create and the Windows on
your aunt's computer are *identical* with regard to:

Edition: (Home, Pro, Media Center, Tablet)
Version: (OEM, Retail Upgrade, Retail Full Install, Volume license,
etc.)
Language: (English, Spanish, French, Chinese, etc.)

Otherwise her Windows XP Product Key will not work with the CD that
you send her.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."