XP Rebuild

[shagyba]

I would like to rebuild an XP computer from the original gold XP CD (no service pack). I'm a little concerned about doing this and having the computer connected to the Internet. However, the computer is behind a Linksys router/firewall with all ports closed. Should I be concerned about exposing the XP installation to the Internet until I get SP2 installed?
______________________

[rwest]

I've done it plenty of times without any problems. Once XP's loaded and you have established an internet connection you can go to windows update and get sp2. You'll first have to download and install microsoft's validation tool. Once you've done this, if you haven't already activated windows you'll be required to do so before going any further.

I've actually been on multiple sites completely unprotected. Sites such as Nvidia, ATI, Intel, PC Mech's ... I was lazy once and didn't want to wait for sp2 to download and instal on a slow system so I went after updated drivers first even before loading any protection programs. Once I got my drivers I surfed a few sites just for the heck of it, thinking that most of the reputable sites are gonna keep a tight lid on theirs. I found what I expected, safe sites. Of course I didn't venture too far, but it was kinda' comforting to know the top dogs are watching out for the little guys. Although I have to admit I wasn't brave enough to go spelunking around in Microsofts array of dive's

[shadowpr]

Might be easier to just download sp2 and sp3 ahead of time and put them on a usb drive.

I would do the same for anti-virus software and anti-malware software.

You could also make a slipstreamed sp2 disc: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp

Or sp3: http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstr...nstallation-cd

[juppy]

Is SP3 able to be slipstreamed yet? Last I heard, which has been awhile, it was being said that you needed to install SP2 first (either after a normal install or slipstreamed), and *then* put SP3 on, but to not slipstream SP3 because it messed something up. Anyone know if that's changed?

[codered6651]

juppy this may answer your question http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstre...3_cd_final.htm. If I'm reading this right, it seems you still need SP2 before slipstreaming SP3 unless you have a Gold Edition of XP.

[Force Flow]

I don't think this "gold edition" is legal...

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Force Flow I don't think this "gold edition" is legal...

I think the gold editions were the first release made to pc manufactures for what it is worth

[mjkovis]

My version of XP does not come with any service pack either... It is a dinosaur...

What I do when I reinstall Windows is download the highest SP available and burn it to disc oo put it on a partition or hard drive that I am not going to format so that its readily available to install once Windows has finished installing. Lately I have used a site named The Software Patch. This site contains all the Windows updates and patches for XP, Vista and the 7 beta. There are plenty of other free goodies to download as well.

And just FYI, if you are going to install/reinstalll XP and upgrade to SP3 and have an AMD processor, it is recommended that you install THIS hotfix to keep the installation of SP3 from giving you a possible BSOD error. This hotfix should be installed before SP3.

[glc]

"Gold Edition" is simply XP with no service packs.

Highly recommend slipstreaming SP2, especially if you have USB 2.0 and/or a hard drive larger than 120gb.

[juppy]

Originally Posted by codered6651 juppy this may answer your question http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstre...3_cd_final.htm. If I'm reading this right, it seems you still need SP2 before slipstreaming SP3 unless you have a Gold Edition of XP.

Yeah, sounds like just the gold edition might still have problems. Thanks for the link.