Another Recover vs Format/reinstall question

[Chuck]

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?

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

 

[John]

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?

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".

 

[smlunatick]

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?

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,

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

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?

*** 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

 

[HeyBub]

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?

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.