Installing SP3 from CD

Reading about all the problems in installing XP SP3 makes me think
installation from the cd which is available front Microsoft is safer.
This may be a dumb question but - if I install sp3 from the cd, can I
first disconnect from the internet? I know I have to disable my
antivirus and if I can also disconnect from the internet, I will not
have to worry about viruses.

Louise

"Louise" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Reading about all the problems in installing XP SP3 makes me think
> installation from the cd which is available front Microsoft is safer.
> This may be a dumb question but - if I install sp3 from the cd, can I
> first disconnect from the internet? I know I have to disable my
> antivirus and if I can also disconnect from the internet, I will not
> have to worry about viruses.
>
> Louise
Yes, you not only can, but you should disconnect from the internet.
Jim

Louise wrote:
> Reading about all the problems in installing XP SP3 makes me think
> installation from the cd which is available front Microsoft is
> safer. This may be a dumb question but - if I install sp3 from the
> cd, can I first disconnect from the internet? I know I have to
> disable my antivirus and if I can also disconnect from the
> internet, I will not have to worry about viruses.

You can and should. Although - not worrying about viruses/installing SP3 is
a loose connection. heh

With proper preparation - you are unlikely to have problems - and if you
have been performing proper maintenance all along - even if you do - you are
only out a short period of time (restoring from the backup/drive image you
made wisely before diving in...)

A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

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

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Suggestions:

1) Download the full SP3 installation file and/or burn the ISO download to
CD.
2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by doing a full
scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes.
3) CHKDSK
4) Defragment
5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)
6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically.)
8) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3.

Some (if not all) of that is covered in the above links.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

On Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:03:44 -0600, "Jim" <> wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply, Jim


>
>"Louise" <> wrote in message
>news:.. .
>> Reading about all the problems in installing XP SP3 makes me think
>> installation from the cd which is available front Microsoft is safer.
>> This may be a dumb question but - if I install sp3 from the cd, can I
>> first disconnect from the internet? I know I have to disable my
>> antivirus and if I can also disconnect from the internet, I will not
>> have to worry about viruses.
>>
>> Louise
>Yes, you not only can, but you should disconnect from the internet.
>Jim
>

Yes, the CD will install SP3 without being
connected to the Internet. You can also create
your own CD without ordering from Microsoft.

ISO image - used to create install CD:
(You must have CD burning software that can use an ISO as source)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

If you use Zone Alarm Firewall (Free or Paid) then update to
version 7.0.483. Warning do not install ZA version 8.0.xxx
as it currently has problems.

Install SP3 in 'Clean Boot' mode:
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Be sure to download and read the file titled 'Overview of Windows XP Service
Pack 3'
Note: "You can run the SP3 update package on any edition of Windows XP SP1
or SP2."

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Discusses the hard disk space requirements for installing
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
"For a PC on which Windows XP is already installed"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311/en-us

Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../cc164204.aspx

Release notes for the Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929/en-us

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Recommends steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Also includes troubleshooting information.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/en-us

XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup:
http://www.aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of
Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/en-us

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support
(Via Email, Chat or Phone support)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"Louise" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Reading about all the problems in installing XP SP3 makes me think
> installation from the cd which is available front Microsoft is safer.
> This may be a dumb question but - if I install sp3 from the cd, can I
> first disconnect from the internet? I know I have to disable my
> antivirus and if I can also disconnect from the internet, I will not
> have to worry about viruses.
>
> Louise

On Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:16:05 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
<> wrote:


>
>You can and should. Although - not worrying about viruses/installing SP3 is
>a loose connection. heh
I'm not sure what you mean by "loose connection". Are you saying that
the install of sp3 is very messy - ie full of problems?


>
>With proper preparation - you are unlikely to have problems - and if you
>have been performing proper maintenance all along - even if you do - you are
>only out a short period of time (restoring from the backup/drive image you
>made wisely before diving in...)
>
What are the odds of survival without an image backup? I don't at
present have a means of making one.



>Suggestions:
>
>1) Download the full SP3 installation file and/or burn the ISO download to
> CD.
>2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by doing a full
> scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes.
>3) CHKDSK

Why chkdsk? Isn't that in dos?

>4) Defragment
>5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
> manufacturer's respective web pages.)
>6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
>7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically.)
>8) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
> install SP3.
>
>Some (if not all) of that is covered in the above links.
>
>--
>Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP

<snip>

<answered inline>

Shenan Stanley wrote:
> You can and should. Although - not worrying about
> viruses/installing SP3 is a loose connection. heh

Louise wrote:
> I'm not sure what you mean by "loose connection". Are you saying
> that the install of sp3 is very messy - ie full of problems?

No - I am saying I don't get the connection. It's not like you lose your
firewall, etc. You also *shouldn't* be surfing the web while doing this
update.

The only reason I suggest it is just to get rid of one more variable to
troubleshoot if things happen to go wrong (they usually don't in my
experience - thousands of SP3 installs at this point.)

Shenan Stanley wrote:
> With proper preparation - you are unlikely to have problems - and
> if you have been performing proper maintenance all along - even if
> you do - you are only out a short period of time (restoring from
> the backup/drive image you made wisely before diving in...)

Louise wrote:
> What are the odds of survival without an image backup? I don't at
> present have a means of making one.

Depends on your preparation and research. My odds are at 99% or greater
successful installs.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
> Suggestions:
>
> 1) Download the full SP3 installation file and/or burn the ISO
> download to CD.
> 2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by
> doing a full scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes.
> 3) CHKDSK

Louise wrote:
> Why chkdsk? Isn't that in dos?

You want to make sure your hard disk has no errors before you go writing
large amounts of data to it...

CHKDSK is *not* in DOS - although to use it on your system drive - you will
have to schedule it to run on the next reboot (otherwise the files in USE
won't let it run.) DOS does not exist anymore.

How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265


Shenan Stanley wrote:
> 4) Defragment
> 5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
> manufacturer's respective web pages.)
> 6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
> 7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically.)
> 8) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you
> are about to install SP3.
>
> Some (if not all) of that is covered in the above links.

Hopefully you at least backup your own stuff (favorites/bookmarks, emails,
contacts, pictures, documents, etc...) - to not do so under even normal
circumstances is unwise, at best.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html