How to get an archival copy of XP sp3

[ahhaa]

I went to a couple places at microsoft looking for a file I could store away with my original XP install discs.

The pages here
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F...displaylang=en
and here
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bb794714.aspx

both claim an astoundingly small size for the files -under 500K- and that they include all previously released updates for the operating system, in addition to a small number of new updates.

I suffered through the sp3 upgrade on dialup, and it seemed to go on forever forever forever

anybody got the full file link? M$ offers it on DVD I notice...

[aedipuss]

you need to get the network install version, not the online one.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E155...displaylang=en

[AlanHK]

You might look at a slipstreamer, which integrates all the service packs into a single installer.

Eg HFSLIP. And the info there includes links to all the service packs. (The "network installers", as aedipuss mentioned, not the apps that want to download it anew every time.)

[fatbloke88]

Is this what your looking for?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2FCDE6CE-B5FB-4488-8C50-FE225...displaylang=en

[SLK001]

nLite does an excellent job of slipstreaming service packs (and hotfixes and security patches, etc, etc, etc). It will also let you add the customization features that you would normally do after any fresh install of XP (like removing all balloons, the firewall, automatic updates and allowing a lot of the features that YOU want to be pre-loaded into the update package).

The latest version can be downloaded here.

[ahhaa]

thanks guys!

I'm not sure I really understand slipstreaming tho...

[lordsmurf]

thanks guys!
I'm not sure I really understand slipstreaming tho...

I've never gotten one of my slipstream discs to work 100% correctly. I gave up. One more reason to have a full backup of my system to external hard drive.

[AlanHK]

thanks guys!

I'm not sure I really understand slipstreaming tho...

Instead of installing the original system, then installing a bunch of service packs and patches, each of which probably requires a couple of reboots, you use the slipstreamer to create a new boot disc that combines them all so you install once, and have a fully patched system the first time you use it.
Also some (like nLite) give you options to strip out things, or add your own specific drivers and applications.

It is all explained at the links I gave.

[SLK001]

I've never gotten one of my slipstream discs to work 100% correctly. I gave up. One more reason to have a full backup of my system to external hard drive.

Wow... While I'll agree that manually slipstreaming a service pack and all the needed updates was a pain, it was worth the effort. Either this, or sitting at the computer and waiting for the main installation to complete, then running the service pack, then running all the updates (last time I updated my install disk, I had over 25 updates, patches, etc).

nLite has taken all the hassle out of slipstreaming. It only takes about 5 minutes to configure for a minimal slipstream (service packs plus updates, patches, etc). You can then do something else while the program compiles the slipstream (which will take about 10 minutes).

I just ran a new compilation in late October to incorporate the emergency MS security update for my sister's new machine. The installation runs completely unattended. When I insert the disk in the machine, after I partition and format the install partition, I can walk away, then come back about 40 minutes later with the installation complete with Windows 90% the way I want it.

Just think that you should look into slipstreaming again. It IS worth the effort.

[budz]

Autostreamer program is good to use for slipstreaming. I've had no problems in using a slipstreamed disc w/xp pro w/sp2.