Automated System Recovery

I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing SP3.
It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set (on
floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It took
me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
numbers were provided.

I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing SP3
and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).

But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with the
installation? Am I missing something?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

[X-post to WinXP General]

System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html

When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will be
created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to "undo"
the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.

Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844

==================================

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Jo-Anne wrote:
> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing
> SP3.
> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set (on
> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It took
> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
> numbers were provided.
>
> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing
> SP3
> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>
> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with the
> installation? Am I missing something?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne

Thank you, Robear! Yet more for me to read before I do anything important
with my new computer.

It looks like the Recovery Console is different from Automated System
Recovery. If so, do I want to do both? It would probably be easy to add the
command line from the AumHa page to the SP2 recovery disk that came with my
new computer but not so easy to create it for the old one, which came with
SP1. (But I do have SP3 successfully installed on the old computer, and I'm
doing full backups with Acronis True Image--so maybe at this point I can
skip the Recovery Console and ASR for the old computer?)

On the other hand, given that the only changes I've made to the initial
configuration of the new computer involve creating desktop shortcuts, adding
some to the quick-launch bar, and changing the look of things, should I just
wing it with the installation of SP3? (I plan to download the SP3 ISO 9660
CD Image File to my old computer, copy it to a CD, and use the CD to install
SP3 on the new computer.)

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:uTr$%234%23%.. .
> [X-post to WinXP General]
>
> System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>
> When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will be
> created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to
> "undo" the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.
>
> Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844
>
> ==================================
>
> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>
> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>
> • US:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • CA:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • UK:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • AU:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing
>> SP3.
>> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set (on
>> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>> took
>> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
>> numbers were provided.
>>
>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing
>> SP3
>> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>
>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with
>> the
>> installation? Am I missing something?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>

Is this "new computer" the same ol' WinXP box you've been using for a while
or is it literally a "new computer"? If the latter, I doubt you'd need to
worry about ASR back-ups.

Why are you making this more difficult than it needs to be? Why not just
install SP3 (on the "new computer") via Automatic Updates (configured @
Notify Only setting) or Windows Update, after first disabling your
anti-virus application and any other "real-time protections" running in the
background?

cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

NB: If it's literally a "new computer", in all likelihood you will need to
see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 to be able to successfully
install any critical updates after you've install SP3.
--
~PA Bear


Jo-Anne wrote:
> Thank you, Robear! Yet more for me to read before I do anything important
> with my new computer.
>
> It looks like the Recovery Console is different from Automated System
> Recovery. If so, do I want to do both? It would probably be easy to add
> the
> command line from the AumHa page to the SP2 recovery disk that came with
> my
> new computer but not so easy to create it for the old one, which came with
> SP1. (But I do have SP3 successfully installed on the old computer, and
> I'm
> doing full backups with Acronis True Image--so maybe at this point I can
> skip the Recovery Console and ASR for the old computer?)
>
> On the other hand, given that the only changes I've made to the initial
> configuration of the new computer involve creating desktop shortcuts,
> adding
> some to the quick-launch bar, and changing the look of things, should I
> just
> wing it with the installation of SP3? (I plan to download the SP3 ISO 9660
> CD Image File to my old computer, copy it to a CD, and use the CD to
> install
> SP3 on the new computer.)
>
> Thank you again,
>
> Jo-Anne
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:uTr$%234%23%.. .
>> [X-post to WinXP General]
>>
>> System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>>
>> When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will be
>> created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to
>> "undo" the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.
>>
>> Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844
>>
>> ==================================
>>
>> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>
>> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>
>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>>
>> • US:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>
>> • CA:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>
>> • UK:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>
>> • AU:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>
>> • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
>> select
>> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>>
>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing
>>> SP3.
>>> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set (on
>>> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>>> took
>>> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
>>> numbers were provided.
>>>
>>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing
>>> SP3
>>> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>>
>>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with
>>> the
>>> installation? Am I missing something?
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne

It's a brand-new Dell laptop with XP Pro SP2, and I haven't yet installed an
antivirus program, although I did make sure the Windows firewall was
enabled. My wireless router should be here in a couple more days, but I was
figuring on using the ISO CD of SP3 to get that major update done
beforehand. Once the router is set up, I'll download and install Avira
AntiVir, then the Windows updates (I'll disable AntiVir while downloading
and installing the Windows updates), and then work on all the other programs
I'll need.

Jo-Anne

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:uR0MTV$%...
> Is this "new computer" the same ol' WinXP box you've been using for a
> while or is it literally a "new computer"? If the latter, I doubt you'd
> need to worry about ASR back-ups.
>
> Why are you making this more difficult than it needs to be? Why not just
> install SP3 (on the "new computer") via Automatic Updates (configured @
> Notify Only setting) or Windows Update, after first disabling your
> anti-virus application and any other "real-time protections" running in
> the background?
>
> cf.
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> NB: If it's literally a "new computer", in all likelihood you will need to
> see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 to be able to successfully
> install any critical updates after you've install SP3.
> --
> ~PA Bear
>
>
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>> Thank you, Robear! Yet more for me to read before I do anything important
>> with my new computer.
>>
>> It looks like the Recovery Console is different from Automated System
>> Recovery. If so, do I want to do both? It would probably be easy to add
>> the
>> command line from the AumHa page to the SP2 recovery disk that came with
>> my
>> new computer but not so easy to create it for the old one, which came
>> with
>> SP1. (But I do have SP3 successfully installed on the old computer, and
>> I'm
>> doing full backups with Acronis True Image--so maybe at this point I can
>> skip the Recovery Console and ASR for the old computer?)
>>
>> On the other hand, given that the only changes I've made to the initial
>> configuration of the new computer involve creating desktop shortcuts,
>> adding
>> some to the quick-launch bar, and changing the look of things, should I
>> just
>> wing it with the installation of SP3? (I plan to download the SP3 ISO
>> 9660
>> CD Image File to my old computer, copy it to a CD, and use the CD to
>> install
>> SP3 on the new computer.)
>>
>> Thank you again,
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
>> news:uTr$%234%23%.. .
>>> [X-post to WinXP General]
>>>
>>> System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
>>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>>>
>>> When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will be
>>> created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to
>>> "undo" the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.
>>>
>>> Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844
>>>
>>> ==================================
>>>
>>> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>>
>>> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>>
>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>>>
>>> • US:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>
>>> • CA:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>
>>> • UK:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>
>>> • AU:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>
>>> • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
>>> select
>>> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>>> --
>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing
>>>> SP3.
>>>> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set
>>>> (on
>>>> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>>>> took
>>>> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
>>>> numbers were provided.
>>>>
>>>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>>>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing
>>>> SP3
>>>> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>>>
>>>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with
>>>> the
>>>> installation? Am I missing something?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>

What ever floats your boat, Jo-Anne.


Jo-Anne wrote:
> It's a brand-new Dell laptop with XP Pro SP2, and I haven't yet installed
> an
> antivirus program, although I did make sure the Windows firewall was
> enabled. My wireless router should be here in a couple more days, but I
> was
> figuring on using the ISO CD of SP3 to get that major update done
> beforehand. Once the router is set up, I'll download and install Avira
> AntiVir, then the Windows updates (I'll disable AntiVir while downloading
> and installing the Windows updates), and then work on all the other
> programs
> I'll need.
>
> Jo-Anne
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:uR0MTV$%...
>> Is this "new computer" the same ol' WinXP box you've been using for a
>> while or is it literally a "new computer"? If the latter, I doubt you'd
>> need to worry about ASR back-ups.
>>
>> Why are you making this more difficult than it needs to be? Why not just
>> install SP3 (on the "new computer") via Automatic Updates (configured @
>> Notify Only setting) or Windows Update, after first disabling your
>> anti-virus application and any other "real-time protections" running in
>> the background?
>>
>> cf.
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>
>> NB: If it's literally a "new computer", in all likelihood you will need
>> to
>> see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 to be able to successfully
>> install any critical updates after you've install SP3.
>> --
>> ~PA Bear
>>
>>
>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>> Thank you, Robear! Yet more for me to read before I do anything
>>> important
>>> with my new computer.
>>>
>>> It looks like the Recovery Console is different from Automated System
>>> Recovery. If so, do I want to do both? It would probably be easy to add
>>> the
>>> command line from the AumHa page to the SP2 recovery disk that came with
>>> my
>>> new computer but not so easy to create it for the old one, which came
>>> with
>>> SP1. (But I do have SP3 successfully installed on the old computer, and
>>> I'm
>>> doing full backups with Acronis True Image--so maybe at this point I can
>>> skip the Recovery Console and ASR for the old computer?)
>>>
>>> On the other hand, given that the only changes I've made to the initial
>>> configuration of the new computer involve creating desktop shortcuts,
>>> adding
>>> some to the quick-launch bar, and changing the look of things, should I
>>> just
>>> wing it with the installation of SP3? (I plan to download the SP3 ISO
>>> 9660
>>> CD Image File to my old computer, copy it to a CD, and use the CD to
>>> install
>>> SP3 on the new computer.)
>>>
>>> Thank you again,
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>> news:uTr$%234%23%.. .
>>>> [X-post to WinXP General]
>>>>
>>>> System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
>>>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>>>>
>>>> When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will be
>>>> created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to
>>>> "undo" the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.
>>>>
>>>> Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844
>>>>
>>>> ==================================
>>>>
>>>> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>>>
>>>> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>>>
>>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
>>>> and
>>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>>>>
>>>> • US:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> • CA:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> • UK:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> • AU:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
>>>> select
>>>> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>>>> --
>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before
>>>>> installing
>>>>> SP3.
>>>>> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set
>>>>> (on
>>>>> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>>>>> took
>>>>> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
>>>>> numbers were provided.
>>>>>
>>>>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>>>>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before
>>>>> installing
>>>>> SP3
>>>>> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>>>>
>>>>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with
>>>>> the
>>>>> installation? Am I missing something?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne

"Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
news:eYUaby$%...
> It's a brand-new Dell laptop with XP Pro SP2, and I haven't yet installed
> an antivirus program, although I did make sure the Windows firewall was
> enabled. My wireless router should be here in a couple more days, but I
> was figuring on using the ISO CD of SP3 to get that major update done
> beforehand. Once the router is set up, I'll download and install Avira
> AntiVir, then the Windows updates (I'll disable AntiVir while downloading
> and installing the Windows updates), and then work on all the other
> programs I'll need.
>
> Jo-Anne

Ah, this is a brand-new Dell laptop.

Brand-new Dell laptops (like all other new laptops) won't have a floppy
drive, so you will have to get one. External USB floppy drives will work
for this.

Floppy drives are *required* for ASR. The process will fail if you don't
have one, and no other media is acceptable to it.

You may find that you can also only write the backup to another hard disk or
tape, not to DVD, as ASR does not support optical media.

Alternately, you can use a better and more modern solution to imaging -
which is what ASR is about - such as Acronis TrueImage. It won't require
the floppy and will, as long as there's packet writing software installed,
write the files to DVD or external hard disk.

You're probably well into much of the cost of TrueImage with the hardware
you have to buy to use ASR.

Plus, if you write to an external hard disk, you can do subsequent
incremental backups - you could technically do this to DVD except that they
won't have enough space to hold the original image.

ASR cannot do incremental backups.

I would suggest creating images of the original install, then using the
Backup functions of True Image, for data and email files. Redo the
complete image if you install significant new software.

HTH
-pk

>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:uR0MTV$%...
>> Is this "new computer" the same ol' WinXP box you've been using for a
>> while or is it literally a "new computer"? If the latter, I doubt you'd
>> need to worry about ASR back-ups.
>>
>> Why are you making this more difficult than it needs to be? Why not just
>> install SP3 (on the "new computer") via Automatic Updates (configured @
>> Notify Only setting) or Windows Update, after first disabling your
>> anti-virus application and any other "real-time protections" running in
>> the background?
>>
>> cf.
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>
>> NB: If it's literally a "new computer", in all likelihood you will need
>> to see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 to be able to successfully
>> install any critical updates after you've install SP3.
>> --
>> ~PA Bear
>>
>>
>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>> Thank you, Robear! Yet more for me to read before I do anything
>>> important
>>> with my new computer.
>>>
>>> It looks like the Recovery Console is different from Automated System
>>> Recovery. If so, do I want to do both? It would probably be easy to add
>>> the
>>> command line from the AumHa page to the SP2 recovery disk that came with
>>> my
>>> new computer but not so easy to create it for the old one, which came
>>> with
>>> SP1. (But I do have SP3 successfully installed on the old computer, and
>>> I'm
>>> doing full backups with Acronis True Image--so maybe at this point I can
>>> skip the Recovery Console and ASR for the old computer?)
>>>
>>> On the other hand, given that the only changes I've made to the initial
>>> configuration of the new computer involve creating desktop shortcuts,
>>> adding
>>> some to the quick-launch bar, and changing the look of things, should I
>>> just
>>> wing it with the installation of SP3? (I plan to download the SP3 ISO
>>> 9660
>>> CD Image File to my old computer, copy it to a CD, and use the CD to
>>> install
>>> SP3 on the new computer.)
>>>
>>> Thank you again,
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>> news:uTr$%234%23%.. .
>>>> [X-post to WinXP General]
>>>>
>>>> System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
>>>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>>>>
>>>> When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will be
>>>> created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to
>>>> "undo" the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.
>>>>
>>>> Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844
>>>>
>>>> ==================================
>>>>
>>>> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>>>
>>>> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>>>
>>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
>>>> and
>>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>>>>
>>>> . US:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> . CA:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> . UK:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> . AU:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>
>>>> . Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
>>>> select
>>>> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>>>> --
>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before
>>>>> installing
>>>>> SP3.
>>>>> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set
>>>>> (on
>>>>> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>>>>> took
>>>>> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
>>>>> numbers were provided.
>>>>>
>>>>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>>>>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before
>>>>> installing
>>>>> SP3
>>>>> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>>>>
>>>>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with
>>>>> the
>>>>> installation? Am I missing something?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>
>
>

Thank you, Patrick! Actually, I have True Image on my old computer and will
probably buy it (as opposed to a different backup program) for the new one.
From what I could tell, the license is for only one machine, alas. I've
created a True Image bootable CD that does indeed work (I checked), and I've
been doing complete backups of the old computer on two external hard drives.
I guess I'll do much the same for the new computer--and skip ASR.

Jo-Anne

"Patrick Keenan" <> wrote in message
news:%23Oba7iC$...
>
> "Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
> news:eYUaby$%...
>> It's a brand-new Dell laptop with XP Pro SP2, and I haven't yet installed
>> an antivirus program, although I did make sure the Windows firewall was
>> enabled. My wireless router should be here in a couple more days, but I
>> was figuring on using the ISO CD of SP3 to get that major update done
>> beforehand. Once the router is set up, I'll download and install Avira
>> AntiVir, then the Windows updates (I'll disable AntiVir while downloading
>> and installing the Windows updates), and then work on all the other
>> programs I'll need.
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>
> Ah, this is a brand-new Dell laptop.
>
> Brand-new Dell laptops (like all other new laptops) won't have a floppy
> drive, so you will have to get one. External USB floppy drives will work
> for this.
>
> Floppy drives are *required* for ASR. The process will fail if you don't
> have one, and no other media is acceptable to it.
>
> You may find that you can also only write the backup to another hard disk
> or tape, not to DVD, as ASR does not support optical media.
>
> Alternately, you can use a better and more modern solution to imaging -
> which is what ASR is about - such as Acronis TrueImage. It won't require
> the floppy and will, as long as there's packet writing software installed,
> write the files to DVD or external hard disk.
>
> You're probably well into much of the cost of TrueImage with the hardware
> you have to buy to use ASR.
>
> Plus, if you write to an external hard disk, you can do subsequent
> incremental backups - you could technically do this to DVD except that
> they won't have enough space to hold the original image.
>
> ASR cannot do incremental backups.
>
> I would suggest creating images of the original install, then using the
> Backup functions of True Image, for data and email files. Redo the
> complete image if you install significant new software.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
>> news:uR0MTV$%...
>>> Is this "new computer" the same ol' WinXP box you've been using for a
>>> while or is it literally a "new computer"? If the latter, I doubt you'd
>>> need to worry about ASR back-ups.
>>>
>>> Why are you making this more difficult than it needs to be? Why not
>>> just install SP3 (on the "new computer") via Automatic Updates
>>> (configured @ Notify Only setting) or Windows Update, after first
>>> disabling your anti-virus application and any other "real-time
>>> protections" running in the background?
>>>
>>> cf.
>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>>
>>> NB: If it's literally a "new computer", in all likelihood you will need
>>> to see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 to be able to successfully
>>> install any critical updates after you've install SP3.
>>> --
>>> ~PA Bear
>>>
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>> Thank you, Robear! Yet more for me to read before I do anything
>>>> important
>>>> with my new computer.
>>>>
>>>> It looks like the Recovery Console is different from Automated System
>>>> Recovery. If so, do I want to do both? It would probably be easy to add
>>>> the
>>>> command line from the AumHa page to the SP2 recovery disk that came
>>>> with my
>>>> new computer but not so easy to create it for the old one, which came
>>>> with
>>>> SP1. (But I do have SP3 successfully installed on the old computer, and
>>>> I'm
>>>> doing full backups with Acronis True Image--so maybe at this point I
>>>> can
>>>> skip the Recovery Console and ASR for the old computer?)
>>>>
>>>> On the other hand, given that the only changes I've made to the initial
>>>> configuration of the new computer involve creating desktop shortcuts,
>>>> adding
>>>> some to the quick-launch bar, and changing the look of things, should I
>>>> just
>>>> wing it with the installation of SP3? (I plan to download the SP3 ISO
>>>> 9660
>>>> CD Image File to my old computer, copy it to a CD, and use the CD to
>>>> install
>>>> SP3 on the new computer.)
>>>>
>>>> Thank you again,
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>>
>>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:uTr$%234%23%.. .
>>>>> [X-post to WinXP General]
>>>>>
>>>>> System Restore's Restore Points do NOT back-up any data; cf.
>>>>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>>>>>
>>>>> When SP3 (and most other updates) is installed, a Restore Point will
>>>>> be
>>>>> created automatically. However, it is not necessarily a wise idea to
>>>>> "undo" the install of SP3 via using that Restore Point.
>>>>>
>>>>> Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=31844
>>>>>
>>>>> ==================================
>>>>>
>>>>> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>>>>>
>>>>> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>>>>
>>>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>>>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
>>>>> and
>>>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>>>>>
>>>>> . US:
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>>
>>>>> . CA:
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>>
>>>>> . UK:
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>>
>>>>> . AU:
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>>>>>
>>>>> . Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
>>>>> select
>>>>> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>>>>> --
>>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>>>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before
>>>>>> installing
>>>>>> SP3.
>>>>>> It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set
>>>>>> (on
>>>>>> floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>>>>>> took
>>>>>> me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
>>>>>> numbers were provided.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>>>>>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before
>>>>>> installing
>>>>>> SP3
>>>>>> and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> installation? Am I missing something?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>>
>>
>

After installing SP3 you may not be able to boot your PC/Laptop. This is
where the floppies come in handy, Just copy the files from your floppy back
to your PC

--

Bob Eyster
MS Windows Vista Home Premium



"Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
news:eeKfUV%23%...
> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing
> SP3. It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set
> (on floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
> took me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or KB
> numbers were provided.
>
> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing
> SP3 and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>
> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with the
> installation? Am I missing something?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne
>

Thank you, Bob! The only problem is that the new laptops don't come with
floppy drives. My computer came with a reinstallation CD of XP Pro. I'm
assuming that CD is bootable--but maybe I should burn a plain vanilla
bootable CD.

Jo-Anne

"Bob Eyster" <> wrote in message
news:%23tj2BtH$...
> After installing SP3 you may not be able to boot your PC/Laptop. This is
> where the floppies come in handy, Just copy the files from your floppy
> back to your PC
>
> --
>
> Bob Eyster
> MS Windows Vista Home Premium
>
>
>
> "Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
> news:eeKfUV%23%...
>> I've been reading Microsoft's KB950717--steps to take before installing
>> SP3. It recommends that one create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set
>> (on floppies) before beginning the installation on an XP Pro computer. It
>> took me quite a while to find the articles about ASR, since no links or
>> KB numbers were provided.
>>
>> I finally located KB818903 and a couple other KB articles about this
>> subject. The idea is to Backup important system files before installing
>> SP3 and if necessary to Restore them (to and from floppies!).
>>
>> But wouldn't System Restore be the way to go if there's a problem with
>> the installation? Am I missing something?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
>