Windows XP reinstallation (and SP1)

[Matt M.]

My Windows XP needs to be reinstalled (for whatever
reason), and I have the XP CD, but it's also asking for
the Service Pack 1 CD to complete installation, and I
don't have that CD. I ordered SP1a on CD. Will that
accomplish the same thing as a SP1 CD. (Which I can't
find anyway.)

Apparently I installed SP1 by download, which seemed like
a good idea at the time...

Thanks for your help. If this is vague, let me know.

 

[Alex Nichol]

My Windows XP needs to be reinstalled (for whatever
reason), and I have the XP CD, but it's also asking for
the Service Pack 1 CD to complete installation, and I
don't have that CD. I ordered SP1a on CD. Will that
accomplish the same thing as a SP1 CD. (Which I can't
find anyway.)

SP1a is identical to SP1 except that it omits the MSoft Virtual Machine
for Java, as a result of the lawsuit by Sun. There are sites where you
can download that to add on - eg version 3805 from
Http://www.bigblackglasses.com/staff/downloads/msjavx86.exe

Once you have such an older version you can get the 816093 'critical
security update' which is effectively a complete build, 3810

Once you have done the install, be sure to enable the firewall before
ever connecting to the net. Then follow up SP1 by getting the big
roll-up update, 826939