[Luke101]

If I re-format my hard disk will all the updates I downloaded from the site have to be done again? After all I am on a 56k and the thought of it does sound a little scary.
Thanks in advance.

Luke

 

[RAM-PAGE]

You should obtain the Free MS SP2 update CD.

 

[Luke101]

ok, so where would i get that ?

 

[Majixlt]

Yes back them up,,you lose all files if you format the hard drive.

 

[RAM-PAGE]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

 

[Luke101]

Is there a specific folder they go into ?

 

[Luke101]

Do you know what I mean? To back them all up at once. And I really don't want to install SP2.

 

[WhitPhil]

If you are formating, ALL is going to be lost on your disk. So you need a secondary backup.
And, the SP2 upgrade is good advice. Just use the MS site to confirm that your hardware and apps are compatible. If you don't, there will come a day, when you won't be able to apply updates unless you are on SP2.

 

[DoubleHelix]

As long as your hardware and software are compatible with SP2, installing it after installing Windows XP on a clean drive is the best way to go. If you really don't want to install SP2, you'll at least need to download SP1 unless it's included with your copy of Windows XP.

Making a CD of the other updates can be a bit tricky. If you install cumulative updates, then smaller updates aren't necessary. Also, some updates need to be installed in a certain order. If someone knows of an easier way to make a compilation of updates, I'd be happy to hear it, and it would be a big help to people. Unfortunately, I don't know of an easy way to do it.

 

[Majixlt]

Be sure you have all your Modem,video, and motherboard drivers before you format.

 

[RAM-PAGE]

If you are formating, ALL is going to be lost on your disk. So you need a secondary backup.
And, the SP2 upgrade is good advice. Just use the MS site to confirm that your hardware and apps are compatible. If you don't, there will come a day, when you won't be able to apply updates unless you are on SP2.

"If you don't, there will come a day, when you won't be able to apply updates unless you are on SP2."

Good point. And one that everyone would do well to take note of for the future.

BTW, Have you tried the Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta program?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en