XP with no service packs...

slipd

slipd

slipd

Soldato
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Hampshire, England.
Guys,

My mate has just brought round one of his Dad's old pc's that he wants to start using again. Apparently they tried to update to avg 8 but it would let them because xp didn't have any service packs installed.

What I what to know is, before I hook everything up to my network, is which service pack I should use? Do I start at 1, then do 2 and end with 3. Or can I go straight in with 3?

I'm probably going to try and use windows update first, but I'm sure when I last used it on xp, it said that machines with no service packs weren't support by it anymore and that you'd have to install them manually, which I think I did?

Cheers.
 
Hi mate,

You need either at least SP1 on before you can install SP3. Best to download SP2 install that, then SP3. Do it manually from the microsoft site then do the auto updates on it.

:)

Pete
 
do what peter says..

i'd make a full acronis image first though, if it's old and whatever, might be broken to hell

acronis.
sp2
sp3
WU

is a fresh xp sp3 install out of the question?
 
peter212693 said:
Fresh sp3 install would be the best option imo :) Cant beat a good fresh install :p
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+2.
Done this myself to 3 machines of mine & it's Mint. Loads quicker these days I about crapped myself at how quick I did them all, The first one I re did as I didn't believe it had taken properly :o + :p
 
Ha. Thanks guys ;)

I just want an easy life, so I'm going to backup everything first to my storage server and then install sp2, sp3 and hopefully run wu from there.

Afaik, the machine is a solid as rock, although I'll soon find out tonight when I begin proceedings :) A fresh sp3 install would be nice, and I have an nlite sp3 disc around somewhere, but I can't be bothered to go through installing software, drivers, replacing files/shortcuts again. This is literally going to be a quick favour for a mate, use of my internet and storage etc.

Thanks.
 
The only thing I'd advice you watch out for are the Net Frameworks, I am not to clear on the problem yet but make absolute certain you Manually instal them in the correct order. I am noticing occasions when auto update won't instal earlier versions over newer ones & this creates problems at a later date. Horrible problems an all where it says you have everyting but won't instal certain progs like CCC.
 
Don't connect it to the internet without turning on the firewall when no service packs are installed.
 
Okay - I'm sure its already enabled or they'll have some 3rd party one on?

Would it be asking for trouble then, with no sp installed?
 
In the same situation I use a Free one off a cover disc from a PC/Gaming mag I have laying around, I'll install that & then upate it & then go updating the system. Once sorted I bin it off & revert to Windows Firewall. I don't see the point in using the resources on a secondary one when Windows Firewall does the job adequately.
 
Seconded. You'll be amazed at how quickly an original copy of XP with no updates can be infected once you connect it to the net. I once had one which lasted less than half an hour before Blaster got it. This one is also nasty and easily infects RTM XP installs.

Best solution is just to install from a disc with SP2 or later slipstreamed. Failing that, download the standalone SP2 installer and keep it on a CD or USB stick. Then you can update without connecting to the net. It'll also save you time in the long run, as you'll only have to download it once!
 
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Mattus said:
Seconded. You'll be amazed at how quickly an original copy of XP with no updates can be infected once you connect it to the net. I once had one which lasted less than half an hour before Blaster got it.
Click to expand...

Seconded - it took me three attempts to rebuild my old machine at Uni before I worked out Blaster was infecting it in RTM state (through a hardware filewall too) :(
 
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