Windows xp

[alanthefirst]

I have a laptop which is runing xp and the pc runs very slow and I think needs formatting. I have the original xp disk but have not got service pack 1,2 or 3.
I know they are available free but this pc doesn't have an internet connection to download them. I have another desktop running windows7 with net connection, can somebody tell me how I can download them onto a disk and install them on the laptop?
Thanks Alan.

[admin]

There are a couple of options. You can simply download the service packs from Microsoft's website and burn them onto a CD (assuming your old laptop does not support larger USB drives):

Download: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

(note that SP3 includes all the previous service packs, so you only need the one file)

Or, if you want the more geeky, but elegant solution, you can create a new XP install disc from your original that includes SP3 as part of it, something called slipstreaming:

Slipstream Service Pack 3 into Your Windows XP Installation CD

[alanthefirst]

xp service pack 3

Thanks for you help but windows won't let me download service pack 3 as I am running windows 7. I don't know how to do it.....Alan

[alanthefirst]

Thanks but the download only give me the option to 'run' not 'save......

[admin]

This is the direct link:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/3/0/d30e32d8-418a-469d-b600-f32ce3edf42d/WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe

Right click on the link above, and select Save As

[alanthefirst]

xp service pack 3

Ahhhhh at last...thanks Admin for your help, Alan

[alanthefirst]

xp service pack 3

I have installed windows xp prof and tried to install service pack 3 and it said I need service pack 1.

Can you please give me the direct link for this.

Thanks, regards Alan.

[admin]

Sorry, forgot that SP3 requires SP1/2.

Here's SP2, which I don't think requires SP1, which is just as well as I couldn't find a standalone installer for it (there's only an express installer, which needs to download further components online):

http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/5/165b076b-aaa9-443d-84f0-73cf11fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe

[alanthefirst]

xp service pack 1

Thanks again for your help.

I was able to download sp2, and it seems that sp2 does not need sp1.

When I tried to install, it said 'CANNOT INSTALL, PRODUCT KEY MAY NOT BE VALID'. Hmmmm well this is the origional windows xp disk that came with the pc a few years ago. Where do I go from here.

If I don't intent to use the pc for net connection, do I need the service packs?????

Thanks Alan.

[admin]

If your copy of Windows is definitely genuine, and it seems that way as you have the original disc, it may be just a bug with the installer. Here's a thread about a similar bug, and a solution that may work for you:

SP2 upgrade fails at Checking product key.

But if you do have an invalid key, for whatever reason (either you were sold a pirated copy of Windows, or the key had been invalidated for some other reason), then the only solution may be to call Microsoft and have the key re-authenticated.

You may be able to get away with not having the SPs on an offline computer, but you'd also miss out on performance/bug fixes, not just the security fixes (and you will also have to make sure the computer doesn't interact with USB or external hard-drives, as these could contain malware too).

[alanthefirst]

xp service pack 1

Thanks very much for all your help. I tried the whole thing again and it worked, so now I have sp1,2,and 3 installed and my laptop up and running.
I am very grateful...Alan