Ted Bobic said:
I have just upgraded to Windows XP Service Pack 2 and everything went well.
I now have a large subdirectory under Windows called Service Pack Files.
I have backed this directory to a CD. Can I now delete this subdirectory.
Thanks.
No, It's not a good idea. These files are there in case a future
driver install or program install need the files that are specific
to SP2. If you ever get a dialog box that asks for the Windows
XP SP2 install disk, you should point it to the \Windows\ServicePackFiles
directory, because the files needed are probably there. I would say
that the CD option would work, but if you read this newsgroup, many
problems are caused by lost or broken CD's. Another possible option
is to slipstream SP2 onto your current XP install disk, to make an
XP SP2 install disk. You need the Network Install version(266 MB)
of SP2 to do this.
There is a hidden file: \Windows\$NTServicePackUninstall$ that contains
the old files necessary to uninstall SP2 and put your system back to its
original state. This is if you use the "Add or Remove Programs" uninstall
of SP2. At some point you could erase those files if you were willing
to give away the ability to uninstall SP2. You would probably need to
change registry settings to completely undo the uninstall option.
Compressing
this directory should be an option, if you are using ntfs.
Also, at some point, you could do away with the pertinent restore points.
However, If you have just installed SP2, I would wait to erase any of this
stuff. You may find you have a good reason to roll your system back, if you
find that you have a needed program that doesn't work or a piece of
equipment that doesn't work. I have had SP2 installed for going on
three weeks now(on two computers) and I'm not willing to give the
capability of rolling back up yet. I actually have had no real problems,
but I have had two near-misses.
Hope this helps.
Dick Kistler
