How to save updates

[Linus]

Running an Intel Conroe Extreme and Windows XP Pro. That’s very fast but my
internet connection is Extremely Slow.

My OS and programs are on hard drive partition C: My Documents are on
partition D:

When the system gets full of bugs and slows down, it’s quick and simple to
wipe partition C: and reinstall the OS and the other programs, but I just
spent three hours finding and installing all my program updates from the
internet. (I use automatic updates so my system is always up to date)

My Question:

Is there some way I can transfer all these updates already on my
computer (for my OS and all my other programs) to a CD and save them before I
wipe the partition, then after I reinstall the OS and all the other programs,
just reinstall all the updates from the CD?

Seems like there should be a way to save those updates to a CD and install
them in ten minutes, rather than spending hours finding them and downloading
them again from the internet.

Any advice in this regard will be appreciated.

 

[Unknown]

Run your computer so that you NEVER need to re-install the OS. Why do you do
that? Where are you getting all the bugs?

 

[Rich/rerat]

Linus,
Consider purchasing a program like Acronis TrueImage version 10 (version I
own) or higher (XP & Vista compatible).

Once you get your computer the way you want it, with all the programs and
updates installed. Use the backup feature to create a backup/image file of
your C:\ Drive, and save it to your D:\Drive in a folder. The avg size of
the backup/image file is about 10 GB's, so if your HDD and the D:\ Drive
partition are large enough, you can maintain several copies of the backup or
image. There is also a feature to backup changes to the C:\ Drive on a
scheduled basis. This usually takes less than 2 hours, depending what you
have installed on your PC.

So if you ever need to revert back to a working setup of the C:\ drive. You
will not have to spend too much time, getting updates or reinstalling
programs. For me, I can restore the C:\ drive usually in less than 15 mins.
And since I backup once a week, I just need to install the updates or
programs, after the backup date.

www.newegg.com sells it for $29.99 with free shipping today at least, make
sure you choose the one that provides the CD, not the downloadable version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832200004

You can manually download the MS Service Packs from Microsoft, and save them
on your D:\ Drive in a folder.
WinXP SP2:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

WinXP SP3:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FD-6F69-4289-8BD1-EB966BCDFB5E&displaylang=en

My experience with some of my Dell PC's was if the XP Restore CD did not
include at least WinXP SP1 , and you installed all the PC & hardware
manufactures' drivers, you had to first Install WinXP SP2 upgrade, then
install WinXP SP3. That was my personal experience, others may have not
needed to install WinXP SP2, first.

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Running an Intel Conroe Extreme and Windows XP Pro. That’s very fast but
my
internet connection is Extremely Slow.

My OS and programs are on hard drive partition C: My Documents are on
partition D:

When the system gets full of bugs and slows down, it’s quick and simple to
wipe partition C: and reinstall the OS and the other programs, but I just
spent three hours finding and installing all my program updates from the
internet. (I use automatic updates so my system is always up to date)

My Question:

Is there some way I can transfer all these updates already on my
computer (for my OS and all my other programs) to a CD and save them before
I
wipe the partition, then after I reinstall the OS and all the other
programs,
just reinstall all the updates from the CD?

Seems like there should be a way to save those updates to a CD and install
them in ten minutes, rather than spending hours finding them and downloading
them again from the internet.

Any advice in this regard will be appreciated.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

It would be easier to 'image' your 'clean' drive using Acronis True Image
(currently version 11). All that I do is install Windows XP, download and
install the available updates, then install any software I need on the PC.
After I have checked that everything is working Okay (usually after a week
or so) I then Activate Windows.

So now I have a nice clean system. The next step is to image the hard drive
either to a removable hard drive or a set of DVDs. This I do by using
Acronis True Image. This images the whole drive/partition. This image is
usually burnt to a set of DVDs and is set aside in case of a disaster
remember it also images the activation information, so if you need to
re-image the data back to your hard drive you will not have any further need
to activate.)

I also have a removable hard drive which I also image the operating system
hard drive/partition to. The only difference with this image is that I use
it to incrementally back up the system as and when things are updated or
changed.

By using one or both methods you always have a working backup copy and there
is no need to keep having to spend hours re-installing XP and any other
software onto your PC.


--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Running an Intel Conroe Extreme and Windows XP Pro. That's very
fast but my internet connection is Extremely Slow.

My OS and programs are on hard drive partition C: My Documents are
on partition D:

When the system gets full of bugs and slows down, it's quick and
simple to wipe partition C: and reinstall the OS and the other
programs, but I just spent three hours finding and installing all
my program updates from the internet. (I use automatic updates so
my system is always up to date)

My Question:

Is there some way I can transfer all these updates already on my
computer (for my OS and all my other programs) to a CD and save
them before I wipe the partition, then after I reinstall the OS and
all the other programs, just reinstall all the updates from the CD?

Seems like there should be a way to save those updates to a CD and
install them in ten minutes, rather than spending hours finding
them and downloading them again from the internet.

Any advice in this regard will be appreciated.

Install a clean system next time - get it up and running and then make an
image of the hard disk drive (or at least the boot/system partition) using
your favorite imaging application... Acronis TrueImage, Symantec Ghost,
BootItNG, Casper, etc... Then you can apply that image the next time you
feel you need to rebuild your system.

However - you would probably be better off learning what happens to break it
so often and fixing that issue instead. I have over 6 years on one XP
system - never been wiped and fresh installed. In fact i finally just made
it into a virtual machine using VirtualBox and am actually using it right
now on top of my Vista machine to post this very message. *grin*

Now if you really want to do the clean install everytime for some reason -
you can downbload SP3 and post SP3 updates each month and keep them
set-aside. The easiest method would likely be to download the ISO image
provided each month (as well as the ISO image for Windows XP SP3.)

Service Pack 3 for Windows XP (ISO of CD):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en

Each month Microsoft puts out that months
patches in an ISO format for burning to CD:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913086

Have a physical CD writer but need a way to burn the ISO images?
ISORecorder page (with general instructions on use):
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm