windows xp question

[Hitchhiker]

I have gathered to me an old (before the sp's) copy of Windows XP and
the 6 boot discs needed to reformat my computer. I have used them
several times successfully and have been able to get the XP sp2
everytime, except the last time when I was helping a friend with their
computer. This time I jumped through hoops and didn't much care for
it. I just downloaded and saved a copy of the sp2 update, all 266mb's
of it.
Instead of slip streaming the two together (my version of XP and the
sp2) can I when I decide to reformat:
first install my version of XP with the boot discs I have? (though
this question is mute as I have done this with more success than not,
several times over the course of my computer years)
Second, double click to install the sp2 package I d/l and saved to
disc? (This question is also mute as the file
WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU seems to be a program to be installed that
way, though it looks like a dos file)
And Third, I haven't tried during a reformat as I am not ready to
just yet, does my computer have to be connected to the internet when I
install the 266 mb file WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU to my freshly
installed older version of XP?

 

[Galen]

In Hitchhiker <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I have gathered to me an old (before the sp's) copy of Windows XP and
the 6 boot discs needed to reformat my computer. I have used them
several times successfully and have been able to get the XP sp2
everytime, except the last time when I was helping a friend with their
computer. This time I jumped through hoops and didn't much care for
it. I just downloaded and saved a copy of the sp2 update, all 266mb's
of it.
Instead of slip streaming the two together (my version of XP and the
sp2) can I when I decide to reformat:
first install my version of XP with the boot discs I have? (though
this question is mute as I have done this with more success than not,
several times over the course of my computer years)
Second, double click to install the sp2 package I d/l and saved to
disc? (This question is also mute as the file
WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU seems to be a program to be installed that
way, though it looks like a dos file)
And Third, I haven't tried during a reformat as I am not ready to
just yet, does my computer have to be connected to the internet when I
install the 266 mb file WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU to my freshly
installed older version of XP?

I'm not sure I understand all of that so I'll take a stab at it and hope
that I do...

1. You may install the RETAIL version XP (via the CD even) on any system
you'd like but it may only be installed on any one system at any one time
according to the end user license agreement. The difference being with OEM
distributions and those are usually tied into the hardware and are limited
to installing solely on the computer which it came from. The use of the
floppy disks is not required if you're installing it on a PC that is capable
of booting to CD. Just insert the CD, boot, and you're good to go. All of
the tools you'll need are available inside the installer itself from
formatting to partitioning.

2. The download that you have may be slipstreamed, may be installed by
itself, but you'd install XP first and then install SP2. Note, and it seems
you know this already but I'll add it just in case, that you do not need to
install SP1 before installing SP2 and, if given a choice, I would recommend
against doing so. The additional time and the additional writing of files is
a waste of your time and SP2 will completely update the system to the time
at which that service pack was released.

3. The computer does not need to be connected to the internet at all. Not
even during installation. It is my STRONG recommendation that it NOT be
connected to the internet during the time of installation. The security
implications alone are reason enough to avoid connecting to the internet
while installing the (any really) service pack. An internet connection isn't
even required for activation - a number can easily be called and your copy
verified over the phone.

More SP2 information, including a link to have the CD mailed to you for
free, is available here:

Windows XP Service Pack 2:
http://kgiii.info/windows/XP/general/winxpsp2.html

Of the five best practices listed on that page there's on that I think I
should add to. I will change it when I get a moment. The issue is that #2
states not to use automatic updates for downloading and installing SP2.
Well, no, that's what it should more clearly state. It does seem that, when
I read it today, you could read that and think I'm implying that one should
not use automatic updates. This is not true, I highly recommend automatic
updates in at least the minimal configuration of notification and allowing
you to download and install on your own. People often forget to update boxes
and the speed at which malware is issued after a threat is known and
published is enough to warrant consideration of changing prior "best
practices" of waiting and testing a great deal before rolling out OS
patches. Automatic Updates should remain on in at least that minimal
configuration.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/

"A man should keep his little brain attic stocked with all the
furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in the
lumber-room of his library where he can get it if he wants it."

Sherlock Holmes