Question on update to SP3

[DK]

I have a laptop with SP2 and an OEM SP3 CD from another
computer. Everything is legit and activated. I'd rather not
reinstall the entire system.

As an alternative to downloading full SP3 and running it, is
it possible to do repair installation from SP3 CD? Would
it simply refuse to run or will it "repair" and update all the
components to SP3?

Thanks!

Dima

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a laptop with SP2 and an OEM SP3 CD from another
computer. Everything is legit and activated. I'd rather not
reinstall the entire system.

As an alternative to downloading full SP3 and running it, is
it possible to do repair installation from SP3 CD? Would
it simply refuse to run or will it "repair" and update all the
components to SP3?

Why would you not just update it? Do you have bandwidth issues?

And what you want to try would probably fail.

- as given, you have not provided enough information to be 100% sure
- but even though in theory it would work, there are so many
different editions of Windows XP, even different product keys for
certain editions based of the service pack/release date of the CD and
edition - that makes it unlikely you have the right combination -
although you might.

I suggest downloading the entire file or having a friend download it
or the ISO for you and installing using that. You can download it at
work, burn a CD, have a friend do it and burn it to CD or USB thumb
drive, etc.

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

Just in case you ever need them (shouldn't, but...)

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

 

[relic]

I have a laptop with SP2 and an OEM SP3 CD from another
computer. Everything is legit and activated. I'd rather not
reinstall the entire system.

As an alternative to downloading full SP3 and running it, is
it possible to do repair installation from SP3 CD? Would
it simply refuse to run or will it "repair" and update all the
components to SP3?

Just the versions need to match:
XP Home or Pro
Retail or OEM

The SP level must be the same, or newer than what is currently installed.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

Just the versions need to match:
XP Home or Pro
Retail or OEM

The SP level must be the same, or newer than what is currently
installed.

Not necessarily true.

There was a version of Windows XP Home OEM released that used different
product keys. If one or the other of the OEM versions (if this is Windows
XP Home Edition as opposed to anything else) is this specific version - then
the repair (in-place upgrade) may actually cause more problems than desired.
SP2b I believe.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a laptop with SP2 and an OEM SP3 CD from another
computer. Everything is legit and activated. I'd rather not
reinstall the entire system.

As an alternative to downloading full SP3 and running it, is
it possible to do repair installation from SP3 CD?

No.



Would
it simply refuse to run

Yes.

Why do you want to do this? Why not simply download and install SP3
normally?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

A1. No.

A2. Yes.

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP2 fully patched
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

NB: Computers running WinXP SP2 will NOT be offered any further critical
security updates, Automatic Updates will cease to function, and Windows
Update website will not be available after 12 April 2010 until SP3 is
installed.