Local i386 folder after SP3 Update

[Richard]

I have several laptops originally installed with WinXP SP2.
I keep a local copy of the i386 folder on the PC, in C:\i386.
I am uncertain what the correct way is to maintain a local
i386 folder on a PC that has been updated from SP2 to SP3.

After installing the SP3 upgrade, I now have a folder
c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386
that contains the SP3 files.

1. Can I now delete C:\i386 ?

2. Can/should I move c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 to C:\i386?

3. What do I do with the registry settings in
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup ?

 

[Jim]

Reples inline

I have several laptops originally installed with WinXP SP2.
I keep a local copy of the i386 folder on the PC, in C:\i386.
I am uncertain what the correct way is to maintain a local
i386 folder on a PC that has been updated from SP2 to SP3.

After installing the SP3 upgrade, I now have a folder
c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386
that contains the SP3 files.

1. Can I now delete C:\i386 ? No

2. Can/should I move c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 to C:\i386? No

3. What do I do with the registry settings in
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup ?

Can't say.
Jim

 

[smlunatick]

I have several laptops originally installed with WinXP SP2.  
I keep a local copy of the i386 folder on the PC, in C:\i386.
I am uncertain what the correct way is to maintain a local
i386 folder on a PC that has been updated from SP2 to SP3.

After installing the SP3 upgrade, I now have a folder
c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386
that contains the SP3 files.

1. Can I now delete C:\i386 ?

2. Can/should I move c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 to C:\i386?

3. What do I do with the registry settings in
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup ?

No, you should not erase C:\i386 nor move c:\Windows\ServicePackFiles
\i386. The laptops came preinstalled with XP, therefore you have on c:
\i386 folder and the SP3 install will forever look for c:\Windows
\ServicePackFiles\i386 folder. If you want to clear these folders,
you will need to completely wipe the laptops and then re-install the
XP from a true install CD that has SP3 pre-installed.

 

[Richard]

I'd like to revisit this. Thank you for your earlier answer.

Through experimentation I have validated that your response to
my original question is correct. The original SP2 i386 folder AND
the new ServicePackFiles folder are both required.

However, I have also tried copying the SP3 version of the i386
files (from SP3 installation CD) to the local i386 folder. So far,
in each of my test cases, this has been successful. Modifications
to the OS configuration that have required the i386 folder have all worked.

Am I at risk by removing the ServicePackFiles folder and replacing the
SP2 i386 folder with its i386 equivalent?