reformat and clean install

[Guest]

I wish to reformat my hard drive and do a clean install. I understand that I
have to back up all my data, but am unsure how to make a back up copy of sp2.
Could you please direct me to a site, or give me clear concise instructions
as to what to do?

 

[Gordon]

I wish to reformat my hard drive and do a clean install. I understand that
I have to back up all my data, but am unsure how to make a back up copy of
sp2. Could you please direct me to a site, or give me clear concise
instructions as to what to do?

If you installed SP2 using Windows Update, then you haven't got anything TO
backup - it will just update again after your re-installation...

 

[Guest]

But doesn't that take like forever? I thought it was wise to back up the pack
to make it easier to reinstall? Still require a site or instructions for
performing reformat and clean install, if anyone has an address.

 

[Gordon]

But doesn't that take like forever? I thought it was wise to back up the
pack to make it easier to reinstall?

As I said, if you installed SP2 using Windows Updates, then there is
no "pack" to backup. You have two choices - either allow Windows Update to
re-install SP2, or download the Admin version of it, which is over 200 MB
in size....

Still require a site or instructions
for performing reformat and clean install, if anyone has an address.

The definitive site:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Guest]

But doesn't that take like forever? I thought it was wise to back up the pack
to make it easier to reinstall? Still require a site or instructions for
performing reformat and clean install, if anyone has an address.

Hi Pirate,
You need to slipstream SP2 to your XP CD if you want the installation have
the SP2 and Avoid download the Hundreds of MBs for it, you use either Nlite
or Autostreamer to achieve that porpose.
Instructions on how to perform Slipstream SP2 to your XP CD:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

After all okay try to backup your Data, pictures, docs you may don't need to
recreate again on a removable storage and read this link for a clean install:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941
HTH.
Regards,
nass[/QUOTE]

 

[Gordon]

nass wrote:

Hi Pirate,
You need to slipstream SP2 to your XP CD if you want the installation have
the SP2 and Avoid download the Hundreds of MBs for it,

Uhh no - you STILL need the Admin version of SP2 to do the slipstream - well
over 200 MB....

 

[Enkidu]

But doesn't that take like forever? I thought it was wise to back up
the pack to make it easier to reinstall? Still require a site or
instructions for performing reformat and clean install, if anyone has
an address.

Microsoft can do you a CD. It used to be free and I'm assuming the it
still is, but may be wrong. Anyway, contact Microsoft.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Enkidu]

There's no big mystery. Boot from the XP CD (you may have to change the
boot order in the BIOS), then install SP2. Beg borrow of steal a copy of
the SP2 CD. Install virus protection (and up to date virus defs if
possible) THEN connect to Windows Update and get the post SP2 fixes.

The *only* real tricky bit is wiping the hard drive when you boot off
the CD, but that's just a matter of making sure you request a fresh
install, and not a repair.

Well, if you have any strange RAID drivers or SATA or something you
might need to load drivers during the install process, but you'd know if
that was so, probably.

You don't describe your hardware though. Some manufacturers put the OS
on a hidden partition on the disk, and don't provide a CD. If you have
one of THOSE make sure you don't wipe the manufacturers partition.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Guest]

nass wrote:



Uhh no - you STILL need the Admin version of SP2 to do the slipstream - well
over 200 MB....

If it on the computer the Autostreamer or the Nlite can look for it or
He/She can locate the path for the SP2 and let the Slipstreamer do the reset.
HTH.
Regs,
nass

 

[Gordon]

If it on the computer the Autostreamer or the Nlite can look for it or
He/She can locate the path for the SP2 and let the Slipstreamer do the
reset.
HTH.

You've tried that and it works? I've got no "path" for SP2 in my machine -
it's all integrated into the OS....

 

[Guest]

You've tried that and it works? I've got no "path" for SP2 in my machine -
it's all integrated into the OS....

This why using the Nlite or the autostreamer for Gordon, it can Remove or
extract Hotfixes/Updates/Files from the system.
HTH.
Regards,
nass