Topic: Fresh Installation

[Kaz]

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

[sam]

I thought it came down as a windows update?

[Simon]

Me too.  Only mine hasn't yet.

[Kaz]

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

[Simon]

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.

For installing XP Pro, the guide below should help:

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

[Kaz]

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.

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?

[sam]

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.

[Simon]

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. 

[davy51]

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

[Kaz]

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

[Simon]

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.

[sam]

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

[davy51]

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