[911pchelp]

Finally getting ready to install SP3 on my XP Home SP2 system and wonder if there are any special things I should do.

Searched for any 'new' info ... i.e. something current - in 2009, but didn't know how to limit search for 2009.

Saw a 2008 update here (on GtoG) that I could d/l from [url="http://"%20<a%20href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en""%20target="_blank">http://www.microsoft...ils...aylang=en"</a>"]http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en[/url] .... is that still a valid place to get the d/l? Can I use FF? Or is IE required?

I just had an HDD failure (EIDE Ctlr - Win Shutdown ? http://www.geekstogo...n-t233878.html) and had to replace it and then installed the retail version of XP Home SP2 (purchased 2 years ago).

Am cleaning my system: temp files with CCleaner, spiffing up registry using ERUNT/CCleaner, checking for malware using Malwarebytes' AntiMalware, scanning with Spybot, and av scan using Avast. (Also have PCTools Firewall Plus/ThreatFire).

Saw that at one point it was best to install in Safe Mode ... true or false?

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Saw that at one point it was best to install in Safe Mode ... true or false?

There is no need to do that. You seem to have done everything before installing SP3.
You might want to make a drive image as a backup, as some problem arise after the installation of SP3, and you can't depend on System Restore.

http://www.runtime.o...veimage-xml.htm
Download Driveimage XML, and make a CD with your drive backup image, or a backup file.

Then you can use Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, to restore your backup if needed.
http://www.ubcd4win.com/

[edge2022]

Saw that at one point it was best to install in Safe Mode ... true or false?

There is no need to do that. You seem to have done everything before installing SP3.
You might want to make a drive image as a backup, as some problem arise after the installation of SP3, and you can't depend on System Restore.

http://www.runtime.o...veimage-xml.htm
Download Driveimage XML, and make a CD with your drive backup image, or a backup file.

Then you can use Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, to restore your backup if needed.
http://www.ubcd4win.com/

[911pchelp]

Thank you

[edge2022]

You are welcome.

[911pchelp]

You might want to make a drive image as a backup, as some problem arise after the installation of SP3, and you can't depend on System Restore.

http://www.runtime.o...veimage-xml.htm
Download Driveimage XML, and make a CD with your drive backup image, or a backup file.

Then you can use Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, to restore your backup if needed.
http://www.ubcd4win.com/

Have downloaded the recommended 'programs' and have run the first (driveimage-xml) which according to the description creates a disk image (in this case for my C: disk). What I don't understand is your comment about creating a CD with this. Does the CD I create contain only the .xml file? (The size of all the files is 6.8 GB - obviously too big for a CD.)
Then (in a catastrophic situation) does the UBCD boot to a bare bones Win XP environment so the .xml can be used to restore the disk image saved? (Suspecting something like this might be the case, I saved the 'image' files to a different partition -- my F: disk.)

[edge2022]

You don't need to create a CD if the image is too big. It's all right.

Then (in a catastrophic situation) does the UBCD boot to a bare bones Win XP environment so the .xml can be used to restore the disk image saved? (Suspecting something like this might be the case, I saved the 'image' files to a different partition -- my F: disk.)

Yes, the UBCD boots to a Windows Enviroment from which you can restore the backup you made. It doesn't matter which partition you saved the image on.
A catastrophic situation is unlikely. But, better to have a backup in case anyway.

If you have an unexpected computer disaster, you will be glad you made a backup. I suggest you make a backup every week or month.

[911pchelp]

OK Thanks again

[edge2022]

Many problems are caused by the installation of SP3, but over time, Microsoft has reduced the number of conflictions.
I think you are g2g