Extract SP3 from Current XP Installation?

[Clueless in Seattle]

Hi!

Is it possible to extact XP Service Pack 3 from a system that has it already
installed, and then use it to reinstall of XP on the same computer?

I just received a used computer which has XP Pro with SP3 already installed.

But I don't have the CD for the present installation. I do, however, have
an old licensed CD of XP Pro that I installed on a patched together computer
last year. But that computer died soon after I got it, and I'm now using it
for parts.

I guess my first question should actually be: "Can I use my old XP ProCD
with the version of XP Pro that's already installed on my "new" hand-me-down
computer? For example, if I were to want to add a Windows component to the
current installation, could I use my old CD? Would it matter that the
product key on my CD would be different from the product key of the version
already installed on the computer?

In any event, all I have at home is a free dial-up ISP, so I don't look
forward to trying to download SP3 via dial-up. So, whether I end up having
to reinstall XP or just continue using the version already installed, it
would still be nice to be able copy SP3 from the computer to a CD rather than
having to download it.

Can that be done?

Or, failing that, does MS provide CDs of SP3 to owners of licensed copies of
XP Pro?

 

[smlunatick]

Hi!

Is it possible to extact XP Service Pack 3 from a system that has it already
installed, and then use it to reinstall of XP on the same computer?

I just received a used computer which has XP Pro with SP3 already installed.

But I don't have the CD for the present installation.  I do, however, have
an old licensed CD of XP Pro that I installed on a patched together computer
last year. But that computer died soon after I got it, and I'm now using it
for parts.

I guess my first question should actually be:  "Can I use my old XP ProCD
with the version of XP Pro that's already installed on my "new" hand-me-down
computer?   For example, if I were to want to add a Windows component to the
current installation, could I use my old CD?  Would it matter that the
product key on my CD would be different from the product key of the version
already installed on the computer?

In any event, all I have at home is a free dial-up ISP, so I don't look
forward to trying to download SP3 via dial-up.  So, whether I end up having
to reinstall XP or just continue using the version already installed, it
would still be nice to be able copy SP3 from the computer to a CD rather than
having to download it.

Can that be done?

Or, failing that, does MS provide CDs of SP3 to owners of licensed copiesof
XP Pro?

You can download the network administrator's version of SP3 and save
it. You can then use a process to "integrate" this onto your
"original" XP install CD and create a newer install CD. However, it
needs to be told that depending on the version of the original XP CD,
if the CD is an OEM version, you can not transfer this XP license to
your "newer" PC.

 

[Clueless in Seattle]

You can download the network administrator's version of SP3 and save
it.

Thanks, smlunatick, for taking the time to respond to my query. I'd be
grateful if you could elaborate on some of the points you made:

How big are the SP3 files? Would they fit on a 4 GB flash drive? I'm
thinking I might try downloading SP3 at my neighborhood library. They have a
much faster connection that my sluggish dial-up ISP.

Would I need my XP3 product key to get the SP3 download?

You can then use a process to "integrate" this onto your
"original" XP install CD and create a newer install CD.

Could you point me to a web page that explains how to do that?

However, it
needs to be told that depending on the version of the original XP CD,
if the CD is an OEM version, you can not transfer this XP license to
your "newer" PC.

My CD of XP Pro is the retail version, not an OEM version.

So, would you recommend I delete the OEM version that is currently installed
on my second-hand computer? Rather than just continuing to use the version
that is already installed?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

Thanks, smlunatick, for taking the time to respond to my query.
I'd be grateful if you could elaborate on some of the points you
made:

How big are the SP3 files? Would they fit on a 4 GB flash drive?
I'm thinking I might try downloading SP3 at my neighborhood
library. They have a much faster connection that my sluggish
dial-up ISP.

Would I need my XP3 product key to get the SP3 download?

Could you point me to a web page that explains how to do that?

My CD of XP Pro is the retail version, not an OEM version.

So, would you recommend I delete the OEM version that is currently
installed on my second-hand computer? Rather than just continuing
to use the version that is already installed?

If you were not the one to install the OS and applications on your new
(second-hand) computer - you should do that anyway. You have no definitive
way (otherwise) of knowing what exactly is on there. You can use an OEM
licensed version if you have that option or the retail. The retail is the
only one of the two that no one can argue can move from one computer to
another as long as it is only installed in one place at a time.

Slipstreaming/integrating the service pack? Just look into nLite or
AutoStreamer, good/easy ways.

You do not need a product key to download the patches for later
installation - service packs included.

SP3 is *far* smaller than a 4GB USB drive. All of them were/are. In fact -
fairly certain you could get all the patches and the install of Windows XP
on a 4GB USB drive pretty easily.

Now is a great time to point you to one of the easiest ways to find
information on problems you may be having and solutions others have found:

Search using Google!
http://www.google.com/
(How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )

keywords: slipstream, "Windows XP", "service pack", nlite, autostreamer,
bbie, integrate

Windows XP SP1a for IT Professionals (it works for anyone really)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=83E4E879-FA3A-48BF-ADE5-023443E29D78

Windows XP SP2 for IT Professionals (it works for anyone really)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (it works for anyone really)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4