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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Kaz on May 18, 2008, 20:50

Title: Fresh Installation
Post by: Kaz on May 18, 2008, 20:50

Hi All,
I'm thinking of installing Windows XP Pro SP3. 
I understand that you need to do a fresh/clean install Iv never done this before only done updates can some one give me some guidance on a fresh installation please what I need to do and how?  Do I need to format my drive?

Thanks

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: sam on May 18, 2008, 21:45

I thought it came down as a windows update?

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Simon on May 18, 2008, 22:00

Me too.  Only mine hasn't yet.

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Kaz on May 18, 2008, 22:14

Quote from: sam on May 18, 2008, 21:45

I thought it came down as a windows update?

Does it? Oh right must have got it wrong then sorry, when will it be available?

Can I still have an answer of how to make a fresh install anyway please

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Simon on May 18, 2008, 22:53

SP3 is already being rolled out, Kaz, and should reach you via Windows Update at some point.  You can also download a CD image of it from here (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2FCDE6CE-B5FB-4488-8C50-FE22559D164E&displaylang=en).

For installing XP Pro, the guide below should help:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/default.mspx

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Kaz on May 19, 2008, 10:29

Quote from: Simon on May 18, 2008, 22:53

SP3 is already being rolled out, Kaz, and should reach you via Windows Update at some point.  You can also download a CD image of it from here (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2FCDE6CE-B5FB-4488-8C50-FE22559D164E&displaylang=en).

For installing XP Pro, the guide below should help:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/default.mspx

Thanks Simon for this can you also tell me why you have'nt used the cd update etc are you still waiting for the download from microsoft? if so why?

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: sam on May 19, 2008, 10:31

for my girlfriends laptop (I wish I could get her to move over to ubuntu...) we just waited, saves the extra hassle. No bother doing the work.

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Simon on May 19, 2008, 11:05

Same here.  Can't be bothered to download and install it myself, when WU will do it for me.  It's not as if Windows will stop working without it.  :)

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: davy51 on May 19, 2008, 13:05

my sp3 came through last week
it should be getting around soon

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Kaz on May 19, 2008, 19:43

When this comes through can you get ride of all the hotfix's downloads that clutter up the PC?, this was one of the reasons I was going to do a clean install

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: Simon on May 19, 2008, 20:17

Not sure about that, Kaz.  SP3 is a consolidation of all patches and updates since SP2, plus some new ones, as I understand it.  I also understand, but could be wrong, that Windows Update, if left to it's own devices, will only download the components it needs, so if the patch / update / hotfix is already installed, it won't apply it again with SP3.  I'm not sure how the CD would work, whether it would overwrite the existing hotfixes or just install what's required.  So, in answer to your question, I'm sorry, I don't know, but hopefully someone else will.

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: sam on May 19, 2008, 20:58

I'm pretty sure you are correct, Si, it will only download what it needs.

Title: Re: Fresh Installation
Post by: davy51 on May 20, 2008, 12:35

It did for me
I think the total download was like 60mb but it only did something like 15mb for me I was pretty well updated