DVDNITE said:
I'm in the process of doing this (and thanks to all that have
replied) again from scratch. This time...the other 2 computers are
completely disconnected from the router (no internet for them or
network for that matter).
True of the problem machine too, right? Looks like it, but it's not clearly
stated IMO. Be certain there are no external connections other than your
mouse/keyboard,monitor. The idea it to be minimalist and bring them online
one at a time so you can catch the problem as it reoccurs. IF, and assuming
it does, reoccur.
Once SP2 is installed, I will also install
my Zonealarm Security Suite then...I'll connect this single computer
back to my router (the others are still no connected) and proceed
with AV and AS definition updates. Hopefully since Automatic Updates
is enabled, the little yellow icon on the bottom right will download
all security updates.
From my experience, it's just way faster to go to windows update
directly instead of waiting for it to update itself.
True, and probably not a problem if you do, but ... It does allow you to
skip some updates that way, but ... when in doubt, I'd say try the least
likely to get bad data route; which IME at least, is the auto functions. If
you get something you don't personally want, you can always uninstall it
later on when everything's known to be working. Then if something quits, or
goes to 100%, you'll be more sure of what it is.
Ideally, actually downloading the updates to disk and installing them
from disk is my preferred method, but ... it gets to be quite a hassle
sometimes. I wouldn't recommend it here.
What I meant by low level is exactly how you described it. By letting
windows delete and create a new partition. Some people (not myself)
overwrite by using the repair windows function or using windows xp
disc to upgrade ontop of windows2000, 98SE, ME....etc. I prefer to
always boot from the xp disc and start from scratch.
Wise move. If you've been deleting/recreating partitions, then it just
about has to be something in your system creating the confusion. I hate to
say it, but my money at the moment is going to be on your LAN/Router apps
fighting over something during the overall process.
I'm not sure what you mean by slipstreamed CD's? I have a retail copy
of Windows XP Pro for this computer. SP2, which I downloaded the
(Windows XP SP2 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and
Developers) copy which is 266MB's from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
Microsoft's website. From there, I burnt this 266MB file onto a CD.
Again much, much easier that going to windowsupdate and wait for all
the updates then SP2.
Yeah! I did the same with SP2. In fact, I ordered their free (at the time)
CD of SP2. But, this begs the question, since you donwloaded it:
IS there any corruption on it? Does the machine you have the trouble
with, have any hardware/whatever that's different from the other machines
and which SP2 might be having the issues with? There ARE SP2 compatability
issues, but none that I've heard of that would show up as you have
described. I think you said you had a Gateway? Far as I know, no
problems there. Then again I'm no guru either, so ... <g>
Do you have another copy of SP2 that you could do a CRC or Hash check
comparison? Might be worth a look-see if the problem still persists after
all this work you're doing.
SLIPSTREAMING is simply using a specialized program to put, say, SP2 and all
or most of its following hot fixes onto a DVD so they can all be
automatigically installed. They're a lot of work to assemble and get to
work right. Mostly monkey-work, but work. There are several freebies that
will let you create slipstreamed DVDs. But I don't think that's relevant at
the moment.
Best of luck,
Pop`
