Installing Windows XP Home SP1a on new computer

[rivethead]

Tommorrow I'll be getting my NewEgg order of Windows XP Home. The invoice says "w/SP1a" but I've heard that sometimes the Egg will ship SP2. Don't know if that's true, but if I do get XP Home with SP1a, what's the best way to get SP2 on my computer?

This is a new build (socket 939, AMD 64 3000+, Chaintech VNF4 Ultra, Benq 1620 DVD), but I'll still have my old computer active (Windows 98SE, piece of aging plastic Socket A, AMD Thunderbird with Phillips CD burner).

I've heard it is not a good idea to download SP2 into the new computer as you're leaving your system vulnerable to all the baddies out in the Internet world - true? If so, should I install some antivirus software first before getting SP2?

I don't want to wait for MS to send me the SP2 cd, so can I download and burn one myself? I went to the MS site, but because I'm on 98SE, the Windows Update doesn't give me the option of downloading XP SP2. Is there a way around that?

And the last question....I've heard I should slipstream SP2 and the XP install onto one disc. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the thread that discusses that, but what is slipstreaming and should I do it?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I just want to make sure I get XP Home and SP2 onto my new build as easily, efficiently, and correctly as possible.

 

[jackschmittusa]

You can download the standalone version of SP2. I think it is listed under network install. You can burn it to a cd. You can also slipstream it into the version you have. Google will find many sites with info on how to do it. Autostreamer is a free, simple app that will do it, though it is sometimes hard to find. It will produce a .iso file that you can then burn to a cd.

 

[stash]

If you get a copy of XP without SP2 on it, you should return it and get your money back. OEMs and retailers have been required to ship XP SP2 since I believe November.

 

[Basie]

Here is a very simple explanation of how to do a Slipstream
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

If you have Broadband you can download SP2 here
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta...-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

Actually now is the best time to install SP2 on your system before it gets loaded with your programs and
files.

 

[rivethead]

Thanks for the replies!

I really do hope the Egg sends me SP2, but since my electronic invoice clearly states "SP1a" on it, I'm not holding my breath.

Basie thanks for those very helpful links. I do have broadband, so getting SP2 should be manageable.

The link to creating a slipsteam is excellent, however, I don't see the WHY explained anywhere. What advantages does slipsteaming give you over just installing SP1a and then downloading SP2? I know we're dealing with MS here, so sometimes the advantages to doing something aren't readily apparent!

Thanks!

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: rivethead
Thanks for the replies!

I really do hope the Egg sends me SP2, but since my electronic invoice clearly states "SP1a" on it, I'm not holding my breath.

Basie thanks for those very helpful links. I do have broadband, so getting SP2 should be manageable.

The link to creating a slipsteam is excellent, however, I don't see the WHY explained anywhere. What advantages does slipsteaming give you over just installing SP1a and then downloading SP2? I know we're dealing with MS here, so sometimes the advantages to doing something aren't readily apparent!

Thanks!

It saves time and it protects your computer from worms that exploit pre-SP2 vulnerabilities immediately after install.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: MrChad
It saves time

For a single machine, even for a few machines, it takes more time to figure out how to slipstream stuff than it does to pop a disc with SP2 in the drive and run the installer.

...and it protects your computer from worms that exploit pre-SP2 vulnerabilities immediately after install.

Which can be accomplished just as well by installing offline, turning on the firewall, and connecting to Windows Update. Besides, what's going to protect against vulnerabilities found post-SP2?

 

[Basie]

Another advantage of slipstreaming is that if you want to do a Repair install of XP with SP2 then you need a XP+SP2 version
CD. Using an Older XP CD will get you an error message saying that the version of XP installed on your system is newer than
the version on your CD. I am not totally sure about this since I havent tried it yet.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: cleverhandle

Originally posted by: MrChad
It saves time

For a single machine, even for a few machines, it takes more time to figure out how to slipstream stuff than it does to pop a disc with SP2 in the drive and run the installer.

...and it protects your computer from worms that exploit pre-SP2 vulnerabilities immediately after install.

Which can be accomplished just as well by installing offline, turning on the firewall, and connecting to Windows Update. Besides, what's going to protect against vulnerabilities found post-SP2?

Both are valid points. I personally find service packs to be time-consuming installations. There are a number of tools that make slipstreaming an idiot-proof process.

You are correct about the offline installation solution, but there are MANY people out there who would just as soon connect an unpatched machine to the internet to download Windows Updates. Slipstreaming is a safer recommendation.

 

[GregMal]

I got the free CD from Microsoft and had no problems with
the installation...............

 

[rivethead]

Well NewEgg truly did send me XP Home with SP1a. But rather than send it back, I just downloaded SP2.

I think what I'm going to do is instal XP Home with SP1a, burn SP2 to disc with my old computer, and then use that disc to instal SP2. The new rig will never touch the DSL line until SP2 is up and running (and my EZ antivirus for that matter).

I should be safe, shouldn't I?

I read the link about slipstreaming and it doesn't sound hard, but I just don't see the advantage as I'm only doing one OS instal.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: rivethead
I should be safe, shouldn't I?

You'll be fine.

I read the link about slipstreaming and it doesn't sound hard, but I just don't see the advantage as I'm only doing one OS instal.

I concur with your reasoning.