Question re Repair Install

[Walter R.]

After several years of running smoothly, I have a lot of little kinks on my
XPSP2 system. In order to get a clean installation, I would like to run a
repair install. I know how to do it.

Should I disable my (Avast) Anti virus resident scanner before running the
repair?

Thanks

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

After several years of running smoothly, I have a lot of little kinks on
my XPSP2 system. In order to get a clean installation, I would like to run
a repair install. I know how to do it.

Should I disable my (Avast) Anti virus resident scanner before running the
repair?

Thanks

It's probably a good idea to disable it.

I doubt whether a repair installation will iron out the wrinkles.
Since such an installation is supposed to leave the existing
applications and their settings intact, it has no way of knowing
which registry entries are benign and which ones are not. The
best it can do is replace system files and restore key registry
entries. You would have more success if you did this:
- Create a perfect installation.
- Create an image file of this installation, using an imaging product
such as Acronis TrueImage.
- Create a new image file once every six months.
- Keep the original plus the two most recent image files.
This approach works best if you keep your OS & Apps
on drive C: and all your data on drive D:.

 

[Walter R.]

I am already doing all the items you suggest. I do an Acronis image once a
month after I do my monthly housekeeping.

How do I "Create a perfect installation"???

Thanks

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

In my book a "Perfect Installation" is created like so:
- Load Windows from scratch.
- Load all drivers.
- Load all applications.
- Configure all applications.
- Make sure everything is just right.
This will be your base installation. When your installation gets
battle-scarred after a couple of years then you do this:
- Reload the base installation.
- Load the various updates and new programs.
- Save the this image as your new base installation.

 

[Walter R.]

I like the term "battle-scarred". That's what mine is. WinXP SP2 was
(is) a great operating system. With a little loving care, it will run
forever.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

After several years of running smoothly, I have a lot of little kinks on my
XPSP2 system. In order to get a clean installation, I would like to run a
repair install. I know how to do it.

A repair installation is nothing like a clean installation. It will
solve some problems, but leave others intact.

I am hardly ever in favor of doing a clean installation to solve
problems, except as a last resort. It's almost always an unnecessary
draconian solution, and leaves you without ever finding out what you
did to cause the problems, and therefore likely to repeat the behavior
that caused it.

But it's your choice. If you want a clean installation, that's what
you need to do. A repair installation is unlike to fix your "lot of
little kinks."

 

[Patrick Keenan]

After several years of running smoothly, I have a lot of little kinks on
my XPSP2 system. In order to get a clean installation, I would like to run
a repair install.

These are totally different things. A clean install starts with a wiped
disk and a brand new registry. A repair install uses the registry in
existence and installed program files are left behind.

Pretty much any and all problems related to the registry will be kept as-is,
and not fixed.

I know how to do it.

Should I disable my (Avast) Anti virus resident scanner before running the
repair?

Yes, but if you are really after the benefits of a clean install, a repair
install is an inappropriate waste of time.

HTH
-pk

 

[Kayman]

I like the term "battle-scarred". That's what mine is. WinXP SP2 was
(is) a great operating system. With a little loving care, it will run
forever.

You'll need to upgrade to SP3. In the not-so-distant future, you won't be
able receiving security updates/patches for your WinXP operating system.

Things to do prior downloadin/installing SP3.
1.Make an Image backup of the hard drive/Windows Partition before you
install SP3
2.Test your System Restore to see if it is working correctly.
3.Make absolutely sure the machine's free of any hijackware, Trojan, or
virus infections before installing SP3.
4.Run Disk Cleanup then run a Defrag session before installing SP3.
5.Disable all real-time protections (anti-virus; anti-spyware;third-party
firewall) before downloading/installing SP3.
6.Reboot twice after installing SP3.
7.Run another Defrag.

Detailed information:
Windows XP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en

Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...8969-4ddf-beb2-8bfac9ed416b&displaylang=en&tm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311

Some third-party programs may experience a change in functionality after
you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947309

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

Create an Automated System Recovery set using Backup
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windo...259b-4d55-98f9-12dbc4eb06311033.mspx?mfr=true

How to Set up and Use Automated System Recovery in Windows XP
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456980.aspx

Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CE-B5FB-4488-8C50-FE22559D164E&displaylang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals
and Developers
(Single installations for PCs can use the same file)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

Recover from a system failure using Automated System Recovery
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windo...50b7-4b14-a2fd-0155d6b174f91033.mspx?mfr=true

Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Access is
denied" or "Service Pack installation did not complete"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

If you don't like the answers provided here go to:
Use this forum for all issues related to Windows XP SP3
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17

Some known issues -
Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3?
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to Windows
XP Service Pack
2 or Service Pack 3 on a non-Intel-processor-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372

Good luck

 

[Bill in Co.]

You'll need to upgrade to SP3. In the not-so-distant future, you won't be
able receiving security updates/patches for your WinXP operating system.

Actually, he doesn't NEED to, per se, but he might choose to.

 

[Nonny]

Actually, he doesn't NEED to, per se, but he might choose to.

If he is wise, he will so choose.

 

[Bill in Co.]

If he is wise, he will so choose.

OK, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.