Back up before installing sp2

[golfnut]

Is there really a need to back up my hard drive prior to downloading sp2 for xp home? This would really be a pain and very time consuming, would really like to hear from those who have already done this. Thank you.

[BJ_M]

I don't think it is necessary - then again you have to be your own judge in this as i don't want to be responsible for barfing your install



the chances for that happening though are small

[Dr_Layne]

I've never had SP2 fail, but I also keep all my important data on a different hdd than my OS drive. Don't forget to turn off your Anitvirus software before you start the install.

[bevills1]

Windows should give option to save current configuration files during SP2 install. I had SP2 incomplete install several times on 1 system before resolving malware issues, and on each incomplete SP2 install the current SP1 configuration was automatically regenerated by Windows. The current configuration files may be deleted after SP2 install completes, but I suggest keeping them a while to enable return to SP1 if necessary in case SP2 creates some unresolvable issues.

[handyguy]

You only have to backup important data files. But, yes, it's often worth it. Get an external HD & copy everything to it.

[ntscuser]

Is there really a need to back up my hard drive prior to downloading sp2 for xp home?

Absolutely. My PC crashed twice in November 2005, both times following a reboot after upgrading to SP2. This time around I cloned the entire contents of my hard drive to another hard drive and copied all settings using the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard before attempting to upgrade. Also, make a boot sector rescue floppy in case the PC refuses to startup after the upgrade is installed. A new rescue disc is needed for each new version of XP; SP1, SP2, etc.

I would strongly advise against the option of "upgrading" to Internet Explorer 7 when it is offered along with SP2.

Of course, if you fancy the idea of spending months reinstalling applications and tweaking them back to how they were before the upgrade, ignore the advice above

Incidentally, out of the 67 "critical upgrades" which MS insisted were necessary for SP2, System mechanic reported 55 registry errors.

[golfnut]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately I can not even get sp2 to download. It starts downloading and when it gets to the "backing up registry" stage it crashes and I get the error message, SP2 download has been cancelled, error code 0x800700002. Did a google on this with no help. Guess I am stuck at this point. Thanks again eveyone.

[Dr_Layne]

Is it possible the HDD is nearly full and running out of space during the SP2 install? Also, perhaps a stick of RAM is failing causing the errors.

[golfnut]

Dr_Layne thank you for the advice. I don't think this is the problem unfortunately because I have 139G out of 160G available. I only have 1 stick of 512 memory and everything else on my computer works just fine so I do not think the ram is the problem either. Wish I knew what was causing the problem but no luck so far. Thanks again for the help and advice.

[Dr_Layne]

Your windows install may be corrupt some how. Perhaps a trojan or virus. If you have backed up all your data, I recommend reformatting the hdd, reinstalling xp, then do the SP2 update.


Steve

[golfnut]

This is what I think too Steve. Have a nice day.

[oldfart13]

[quote="ntscuser"]

Also, make a boot sector rescue floppy in case the PC refuses to startup after the upgrade is installed. A new rescue disc is needed for each new version of XP; SP1, SP2, etc.

Floppy? I thought those were done. I haven't used a floppy in 5 years and barely use CDs either. Maybe a CD rescue disc if I have any spares (which at the moment I don't). Rescue DVD maybe???

[ntscuser]

"Drive Medic" and some other boot rescue disc creators burn to floppy by default. You could make your own on CD/DVD but don't blame me if it doesn't work when you need it most.

To Golfnut, if your hard drive is corrupted you wll have as many problems reinstalling Windows as installing SP2. Typically, you will get a partial install with phantom partitions being created on the hard drive. Ultimately you will need to reformat all over again. Always run Scandisk plus fix errors first.

[golfnut]

ntscuser thank you for the post. I plan on doing a complete new install of windows, is this what you are saying? Also can you tell how to run scandisc and fix errors as you recommended doing? Thank you for your help and time.

[ntscuser]

From the Start Menu--->My Computer--->(right click drive letter) Properties--->Tools--->Check Now

Tick both boxes to fix errors then "Start". You will need to reboot before Check Disk starts and it takes a v-e-r-y long time to complete.

[golfnut]

Thank you, I will start it tonight right before I go to bed. Thank you for your help.

[bevills1]

I suggest first making a Windows XP SP2 disk by slipstreaming SP2 into an install disk if you have a CD or DVD burner. This will make separate downlaod and install of SP2 unnecessary. First download SP2 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E36...displayLang=en
and select "Save to disk." A free download of nLite makes the slipstream process very simple and is available for download at http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4324.html. Remember to check the "Make bootable" and "Service pack" options when running nLite.

[ntscuser]

I suggest first making a Windows XP SP2 disk by slipstreaming SP2 into an install disk if you have a CD or DVD burner. This will make separate downlaod and install of SP2 unnecessary.

That can only be done with a full install version of Windows XP. The vast majority of PC users are using an OEM version which doesn't include the necessary boot files.

[golfnut]

I have the OEM disc version of XP so I guess I can't do that. Just got finished with the disc scan and tried downloading SP2, no luck. Still cuts off at the "backing up registry" stage, screen goes back to desktop with error message, " Service Pack 2 download has been cancelled".