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| Thread ID: 87964 | 2008-03-10 06:43:00 | Advice Please About Re-installing XP/HD Imaging Software | Shortstop (632) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 648335 | 2008-03-10 06:43:00 | I need to re-install XP, which I’ll be doing from the Recovery partition on the HD. This is the first time I’ve done it and I’m nervous about it. My questions are: q As XP is the pre SP2 version do I need to use the SP2 disc to install those updates or can HD imaging software capture that? Similarly with all the MS updates I’ve installed since SP2? q Does imaging software capture installed updates for AV, Spyware applications etc; important settings like LAN and router; all installed applications; drivers for printer and scanner? q What else do I need to know about the process? What are the pitfalls? q What HD imaging software do you recommend? I’d appreciate your advice. |
Shortstop (632) | ||
| 648336 | 2008-03-10 06:54:00 | What sort of HD imaging are you wanting to do? Is it medical new media video photos Imaging software has nothing to do with AV - AV relates to the Operating System rather than the software that runs on it although you are advised to scan any 3rd party software for viruses prior to installation on a computer if you are not sure it has come from a genuine source. |
vitalstatistix (9182) | ||
| 648337 | 2008-03-10 06:54:00 | If youre going to do it from the recovery partition, all you'll be doing is, pressing F10 or F12 on a reboot. And it will do it automatically. And it'll reinstall everything that was originally installed. Any programs (SP2, and updates) if these werent installed originally, they wont be reinstalled after you do a restore. You'll have to reinstall all of them again after You'll have to reinstall SP2 I would say if it isnt installed now. Whatever you use to make an image, wont do it for you (If SP2 isnt on the hdd now). |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 648338 | 2008-03-10 07:01:00 | Speedy, yes that's what I thought. So after original XP is re-installed, instal SP 2 and then go on line for the rest of the MS updates? The same for AV etc updates? Does an HD image retains LAN, router settings? | Shortstop (632) | ||
| 648339 | 2008-03-10 07:09:00 | Speedy, yes that's what I thought. So after original XP is re-installed, install SP 2 and then go on line for the rest of the MS updates? Correct, as far as I know The same for AV etc updates? Does an HD image retains LAN, router settings? Thats a good question, I've downloaded all the updates and put them on a spare partition / hdd. Which saves me getting them all over again, if I format. I've never used a program to make an image, before I format. The other thing you could do (with the XP updates anyway) is make a slipstreamed cd with a copy of XP (altho, I'm not too sure if you can do this, if you create a cd/s or a dvd with a restore partition), and add SP2 and the updates till now to it. Which is what I'll do once SP3 is out. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 648340 | 2008-03-10 07:13:00 | When is SP3 coming? Maybe I should wait if it's not too long. | Shortstop (632) | ||
| 648341 | 2008-03-10 07:15:00 | If you use Imaging software - Drive clone programs or what ever you like to call them - they will make an exact copy of whats on the drive now. Example: - Say you have 2 Hard Drives - image drive 1 to drive 2 , drive 2 will be exactly the same as drive 1.<<< Thats what I do when working on customers infected PC's - I have a copy of the original drive, if the OS goes belly up, or its a fresh install all the original data is saved before hand. I use Acronis true Image (www.acronis.com) but there are others of course. If using Seagate drives you can get a free version made by Acronis for cloning called Diskwizard (www.seagate.com ). If you run a factory Recovery partition say the Recovery partition on a compaq - it will put the drive back to how it was when you first purchased the PC. ALL data, programs EVERY THING will be wiped. Make sure you back up any data you want before running a Recovery partition restore. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 648342 | 2008-03-10 07:21:00 | Wainuitech - is it possible to use the Recovery Partition to re-install XP as originally and then a drive clone programme to re-install everything else, icluding SP2 and the latter updates etc Obviously there is no benefit in re-installing XP exactly as it is now because you're just getting back the same clagged up OS. | Shortstop (632) | ||
| 648343 | 2008-03-10 07:26:00 | When is SP3 coming? Maybe I should wait if it's not too long. A few sites say 23/24 March. 2 weeks from today. Altho, this maybe a rumour. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 648344 | 2008-03-10 07:32:00 | I know what you're asking, but generally NO . Any updates, programs etc all need to reinstalled . What is an idea, and I do this for my workshop PC's - is install the OS - all windows updates, any programs you want THEN BEFORE you have time to get the system full of unwanted "extra's" make an Image of the PC as it is right then . Then add back any data etc . That way if you need to reinstall again for what ever reason most of the works done, and instead of say 60 -80 updates you may only get a few . Two of my Workshop PC's that I use to clean customers PC's get reinstalled on average from an image every couple of months as customers infected PC's will do some damage to the systems . Takes around 15 Minutes to put the system/programs back then on average 10-15 minutes for any other updates . I have the Images on a 4Gb Pen Drive, and boot from the recovery CD made from within the Acronis program - go make a cuppa and its usually just about done by the time I get back . Edited: I make new images every 6 months - install the old image- update it to the present day - make a new Image |
wainuitech (129) | ||
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