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My Mum is wanting to go on the internet in the very near future but her computer is an XP which will need the service packs 2 and 3 to be installed. I know I can download the packs from the Microsoft website but is the installation straight forward or is this something best left to computer specialists. I'm certainly no expert and don't want to wreck her computer. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Many thanks. 
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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Journeyman
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It should be no sweat (except for next paragraph). I suggest you go to Windows update controls (probably in Control Panel) and find "check for updates" and let 'er go.
I once did a clean reinstall of my XP from the Microsoft CD, which was at SP 1. Then when I went to update, the Windows Installer (from the CD) was out of date, and couldn't handle the normal XP update process. So I had to update the installer first which was a hassle because it was not so automatic. Once that was done, updating from SP 1 to SP3 was a breeze.
Good luck
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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If it all possible do an image back up of your mum's computer to an external HD before updating.
That way if things go wrong you can restore things back to the way they were before the update.
An image backup is an exact byte for byte image of your HD which is different then just backing up the data.
I backup my computer once a week to an external HD and have had to restore it a couple of times.
Once when I got a virus that pretty much fried the HD and one time when I installed a program that screwed up Windows.
I use a program called Image /for Windows, but there are other programs out there that will do the job.
One I can think of is called Ghost.
Good luck.
Tim
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Hi kelso,
Thanks for the info about the installer. The problem is that to do the updates her computer has to be connected to the internet and the modem she needs to connect requires her computer to already have the services packs installed. Her computer doesn't meets the required specifications to be able to use the modem.
I thought I could download the service packs on my computer, save them on a USB stick and then install them on hers. I was hoping it was as easy as installing a software programme.
The alternative is pre-paid internet which is more expensive and not as convenient.
Thanks for reply and help
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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Hi Tim,
Your post came through as I was typing a reply to Kelso. I'm a slow typist.
I do an image back for my computer on a regular basis as well, after a virus caused havoc. It certainly is the way to go as a precaution. Thanks for the help. This forum is great for support.
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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Journeyman
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I seem to recall that when I updated to SP3 a few years back I was given a choice of installing from the Internet or to download the service pack on to my computer and run the installer later.
I chose to install later.
Unfortunately the web address I used to do that doesn't work anymore.
Tim
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I had bought SP 2 3 on a disk from ebay for $5 with free shipping last year.
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Anonymous
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Why don't you just take the computer to your house for an hour, get the service pack, and take it back? because trust me, this is the kind of thing you DON'T want to do on dialup. And when you said MODEM.... I assume she is on dialup?
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You can DL a SP3 image, burn it to a CD, and use that to update. The instructins are here: http://windowssecrets.com/known-issues/another-xp-sp3-approach-burn-it-to-a-cd/Also be darn sure that you do not have any bugs on your system when updating. They can cause a ton of problems during the upgrade.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
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Anonymous
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Micosoft's web site states that SP3 is 316mb. That is a HUGE download at anything less than 3mb broadband. I have 15mb and it took a while.
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Wow, this response is great! Thank you everyone. I checked out the link MarioD,(thank you). It's put me off a bit though. It sounds like it may be a hassle. I don't live in the same part of the state as mum and if something goes wrong it would be a nightmare. Eddie, it will be broadband ADSL that Mum will go on. I am not completely savvy with it all myself. Our modem (external box)connects to the XP and I connect to my laptop wirelessly from it. Thank you for the warning. The whole thing is starting to give me second thoughts. The 316mb isn't a problem, I'll just do something else while I wait. Thanks for the ebay tip Tommyc. All info is more than welcome. Sorry I didn't get back to you last night Tim. It was getting late here and I needed to crash but it got me thinking about this alternative solution. I think I'll look into the possibility of upgrading our modem and giving Mum our old one which does connect without the service packs. We bought it 2 years ago and it just went straight on. We did the updates as they came up, so the XP is up to date and able to support the newer modems. I will post an update on all this when I find out. Again thanks for the great feedback.
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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For security reasons you should at least upgrade to SP2; SP3 is preferable as it incorporates critical updates as well as other important security and performance updates in a single package. Once you do this you should immediately check for more updates. There will be many.
Failure to do so leaves an XP-based PC vulnerable to hijacking, identity theft, and other forms of ill behavior. If you're not willing to undertake that then you should consider installing a completely new OS, immediately checked for updates afterwards and continuing to do so on a regular basis.
I feel quite strongly about this and feel certain that others will chime in to corroborate.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Thanks for the good advice Ryszard. I'm very security conscious myself, almost bordering on paranoid. I scan everything I download. If Mum can use our current modem, I'll certainly be sure to let windows do all the upddating. There will be tons of them! At least 2 yrs worth.
How quickly technology moves. Everything is outdated after a few weeks it seems.
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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Expert
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Expert
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If it's an ADSL service then there should be an Ethernet port on the modem/router and assuming your mum's PC has an Ethernet port you should be able to access the internet immediately - no SP required.
BUT, for security reasons, an immediate ugrade is recommended - just make sure system restore is turned on.
I'd send you a PM... If it helps, I'm on the Central Coast (NSW).
--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya  --=--You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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Instead of embarking on a lengthy upgrade procedure through the XP service packs, now might be a good time to review the life cycle of the machine your mother has (in simple terms, think about buying a new PC).
Bear in mind that MS is ceasing support for XP in 2014. While this does not make XP machines immediately high-risk, it may increase their vulnerability.
As to the SP upgrade process, there is much talk on the specialised web sites in this field of slipstreaming. Perhaps one of our resident specialists could go through the pros and cons of this approach...
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It's been a busy day and I've only just checked back. Thanks Lawrie, the ethernet option is a good thought. It would certainly save a lot of hassle. I'm not sure of what's on Mum's computer but I'll see her in a few days and will check it out. My husband said our modem is connected to the Lan port but this isn't the same as an ethernet port is it? I'm not totally sure about all of the different internet connections, I'm more into music than cables. Mglinert, my Mum is an old age pensioner so a new computer is not an option just yet but thanks for the heads up on the support ceasing. Could be a problem for the many XP users out there. It is something to consider. I don't want to tie up the forum with this thread but some thoughts on a friend of mine who has turned off the windows update features altogether and uses her Norton Internet security software to keep her computer safe. She says she has had no problems with viruses, hacker etc. It might eliminate the need for the service packs. Good idea or not? You have all been very helpful. Thank you.
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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Ethernet port/LAN port - same thing. If you want to be pedantic, a LAN port could refer to a number of different technonlgies, but common usage these days really means Ethernet port as most of the other wired technologies have dissapeared.
--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya --=--You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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Many thanks for the info Lawrie. It should all be good to go then. I now know more about connections than I did 5 minutes ago. There's hope for me yet! LOL
Thanks again.
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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