OT: Update to XP SP2 or Not Too
 

Ok, so my auto update finally downloads SP2 for Xp. Now I am faced with the choice of installing it. First I want to do a full back up but I simply cannot figure out how. Any suggestions on how to do a full back up of XP? Any help is appreciated.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

There are many options available. The most readily available option is to use Windows backup and backup your data somewhere then save it (another HD, DVD, etc.) then of course to restore you would just install Windows XP and then restore your backup. Another which is what I do always is do a ghost to another hard drive. I keep 10 and 20GB hard drives lying around for just this purpose. Takes about 15 minutes to ghost my 13GB C:\ drive and the same amount of time to put back. A full windows backup takes about 3 hours to my external USB hard drive, so the difference is hugely significant.

There are other options of course.

....

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

To do a Windows backup. Go to My Computer. Right-click on the C:\ drive icon and select properties. Then go to the tools tab and select backup.

You should select whatever drives you want to backup and also the System State check box. Then you will need to specify where the backup is going to be saved. Give it a good name and back it up.

GL

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Windows back up? I cannot find this option in the accessories or system tools. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif This caused me to post. Thank you, and I do have back up drive on the C: drive, came with this HP POS. However, it is for SYSTEM RESTORE. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif. I want to back up my system just in case SP 2 frells it.

I do have two 80 gig portables, thats a good idea, but how to best use them. Thanks again Wizarc for the help. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Thanks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Unfortunetly I do not have that option. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Just defrage and error check. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Damn HP system.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Should I update? This system is an AMD system and I have read that SP2 and AMD systems do not mix well.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

I'm running something simmilar Atrocities.

I've also not installed SP2. I'll install "Critical Updates" but even then I give them a month atleast before the bug reports and complaints come through so I'm better informed.

Microsoft Software and Updates are treated with upmost suspicion and Paranoia in this house http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Thanks RD, I shall not install until I have more info. I have been burned by MS updates before on many occations, and this SP2 looks a lot like a monster trojan horse to me.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

SP2 didn't work for me, I'm back to SP1 and the critical updates installed. My system is running smooth again. FYI the only thing that really 'bugged' me was the 'spyware' and 'hijackers' that took control of IE. I now use Mozilla so those are now a thing of the past.

BTW the thing that killed SP2 for me is that my system would freeze on bootup. I had to boot in safemode, then from safemode do a warm reboot. (I hate boot errors that give no clue as to what is causing the problem.)

Anyway, nuf said, Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

SP2 = bad Thanks. Will avoid installing.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

I waited a bit for SP2, I installed it on my sister's laptop first, saw how it worked, then installed it on mine.
It worked OK for a short while, then I lost the ability to connect to the DSL provider. And I had already deleted the roll back point.

*Dumb*

I'd suggest keeping the Last rollback point on your computer a good long time.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Can't you just cancell SP installation from the Control Panel applet? It used to work on my win2k machine. You just had to keep %SystemRoot% directory untouched. Haven't tried xp, though.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

That sounds like a very good idea. Everytime there is an operating system update, I am disappointed that it doesn't seem to live up to all of Bill's wonderful promises about its reliability...

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

I had no problems at all installing SP2 on two AMD systems.

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Can you provide more specifics Mephisto? Were they build by you or bought?

Re: OT: Help With XP
 

Both PCs were build by me. The specs for my PC as far as I remember them (I'm not at home...):
1.) Asus motherboard, BIOS from november Last year I think.
2.) The CPU is an Athlon 2200 XP.
3.) Sound BLaster Live Value.
4.) Ricoh CD/CD-RW/DVD-Combo.
5.) Geforce3 with 128 MB
6.) 516 MB RAM
7.) On-Board-LAN
8.) 2 Harddisks

If you need to know more, just ask away. I created an backup of my system HD to the second HD but had no problems.