Installing Windowsxp

For those attempting to install [background=Lime]WindowsXP[/background], even if you have the operating disk, chances are that it is not [background=Lime]SP3[/background]. Remember all previous versions have stopped being supported. You must obtain the SP3 version an install all the patches that have been associated with SP3. If one does not have backup with SP3 contained on it this can be a daunting task to get WindowsXP back up an running.

I found out all this the hard way. Now have a new machine with Windows7 an an external 500GB hard drive that contains backups done weekly.

Thanks
Wildman

 

Sorry but to the best of my knowledge that is not quite accurate. Getting SP3 for XP is not difficult but can be time consuming because all prior necessary updates need to be installed first. How many updates that may be does depend on how old the version that you are installing may be.

Windows is supporting SP3 until 2014 (I forgot which month) but that does not mean that prior updates are unavailable just that there will be no new ones.

 

I'm not communicating this well. Try doing this from a clean install an then tell me how easy it was.

Thanks
Wildman

 

I do not doubt for one minute that you personally may have had many problems installing a version of Windows XP that did not have Service Pack 3 included. But I can tell you that those problems did not have anything to do with the absence of SP3.

For the benefit of all members/readers...

Windows XP can be installed without Service Pack 3. SP3 can be installed once the system is up and running. As long as SP1 is installed, then SP2 can be skipped and SP3 installed.

 

Thanks. I did indeed have problems. Never could get it fully installed so gave up. That machine is now gone and I have this one with Windows7 on it. Having had this experience, I now say it is well worth the funds to purchase a stand alone hard drive an backup everything to it on a frequent bases.

Thanks
Wildman

 

I loved XP and would never even consider Vista but after about 3 days with Windows 7, I have never looked back. 7 Is everything that Vista should have been but never was. Enjoy your new machine.

 

Interesting you learn something new everyday

the amount of times I installed SP2 and didn't need to , now how many people do I know using XP hmm no one. lol

 

Hi Wildman, gosh I can surely sympathize as doing a 'clean re-load' of Windows XP can be daunting indeed! And I don't know if it's just me but instructions Microsoft site itself are never, ever clear and easy to understand - geesh!

 

You don't need to upgrade to SP3. You can directly install a fresh OS using a disc or bootable flash drive as well.

 

is their any process to install OS without formatting any device