Reinstalling Windows with Service Pack 2

[Guest]

I have an emachines with Windows XP with SP1. Every time I get ready to
install SP2 I hear some new problem has arisen with it. Now I read in the
2/8/05 PC Magazine ("Build an XP-SP2 Recovery Disk" P. 76) that once I
install SP2 I will no longer be able to use my Windows XP recovery disk to
reinstall the OS. According to the article I need the full Windows XP CD not
the recovery disk that came with my machine. Emachines said they are not
responsible for any upgrades to XP. According to the article, Microsoft
should supply it since I did pay for it with my machine.
When I punched in the registration number, Microsoft told me to go to
Emachines.
How do I get the disk from Microsoft since I cannot reach them by email.
I need the full Windows XP disk . How can I get it?
Also the article said some copies of XP cannot be "slipstreamed". If this
is true,
isn't there an easier way to reinstall XP with SP2. If not, how do I
reinstall XP
with SP2 without any problems.

 

[Lee Chapelle]

I have an emachines with Windows XP with SP1. Every time I get ready to
install SP2 I hear some new problem has arisen with it. Now I read in the
2/8/05 PC Magazine ("Build an XP-SP2 Recovery Disk" P. 76) that once I
install SP2 I will no longer be able to use my Windows XP recovery disk to
reinstall the OS. According to the article I need the full Windows XP CD
not
the recovery disk that came with my machine. Emachines said they are not
responsible for any upgrades to XP.

That sounds wrong to me. Generally using a Recovery Disk implies that the
hard drive is wiped clean and the original configuration is restored, in
which case it doesn't matter what you have done to it. If you use your RD
you would need to reapply SP2 and reinstall all your programs.

According to the article, Microsoft
should supply it since I did pay for it with my machine.

Service Packs are free, Windows is not.

When I punched in the registration number, Microsoft told me to go to
Emachines.
How do I get the disk from Microsoft since I cannot reach them by email.
I need the full Windows XP disk . How can I get it?

You don't need it, your OEM installation should be fully updatable.

Also the article said some copies of XP cannot be "slipstreamed". If this
is true,

Yes I think so. OEM Recover Disks cannot be slipstreamed.

isn't there an easier way to reinstall XP with SP2. If not, how do I
reinstall XP
with SP2 without any problems.

Check with emachines to see if there any known compatibility issues, and if
not just cross your fingers and install it.

 

[Lee Chapelle]

I have an emachines with Windows XP with SP1. Every time I get ready to
install SP2 I hear some new problem has arisen with it. Now I read in the
2/8/05 PC Magazine ("Build an XP-SP2 Recovery Disk" P. 76) that once I
install SP2 I will no longer be able to use my Windows XP recovery disk to
reinstall the OS. According to the article I need the full Windows XP CD
not
the recovery disk that came with my machine. Emachines said they are not
responsible for any upgrades to XP. According to the article, Microsoft
should supply it since I did pay for it with my machine.
When I punched in the registration number, Microsoft told me to go to
Emachines.
How do I get the disk from Microsoft since I cannot reach them by email.
I need the full Windows XP disk . How can I get it?
Also the article said some copies of XP cannot be "slipstreamed". If this
is true,
isn't there an easier way to reinstall XP with SP2. If not, how do I
reinstall XP
with SP2 without any problems.

http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=desktop
Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 2
eMachines provides Windows Service Pack support for all Windows Products
that ship with our systems.
Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 2 is available to download from
Microsoft's website.
You can find additional information on Service Pack 2 on our Frequently
Asked Questions page.
If you need assistance with Service Pack 2 and your eMachines system, please
contact eMachines Technical Support.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You will not be able to get a Windows XP CD, the article is incorrect...At
least not without paying for it.
When you bought your eMachine, you bought the recovery CD that came with it.
You did not buy a Windows CD thus you did not get and will not get it.
Most recovery CDs such as your recovery CD can not be slipstreamed.
Your only option is to keep your recovery CD and a SP-2 CD.
Unless you want to buy Windows XP again.

There are not really any new problems with SP-2.
Having a computer free of malware and otherwise prepared for SP-2 helps
prevent many problems:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm