WinXP Final Updates

[GeordieLad]

Is it possible (and where/how) to download AND SAVE all updates for WinXP before 8th April? I emphasise SAVE because I'd like to do more that simply update my systems, particularly if I have to reinstall XP at any future date (I'm reluctant to upgrade and certainly don't want Win 8 at any price). I have used AutoPatcher in the past but my antivirus program (AVG) flags this up as a threat so I'd like to find a reliable alternative.

 

I'll be grateful for any advice.

 

Regards

 

GeordieLad

[GeordieLad]

Installing pre-saved Windows updates

 

I've followed ehow.com's instruction for How to Save Windows XP Updates to Install on Another System and now have 111 folders containing 127 files. Is there any easy way to install these other than clicking on every .exe file and is the order of installation important. Also, what if some updates are already present on my system?

 

Any advice will be welcomed.

 

Regards

 

GeordieLad

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, I have merged the two threads as they cover the same subject,

 

I can understand your concerns regarding the end of support for Windows XP and the worry that should you need to reformat back to factory condition there would indeed be a lot of updates to re-install.

 

If the present system is fully up to date through the normal Windows updates, and kept that way until the support does end, you need do nothing more with the system as it stands.

However there is a better way to get around it than trying to store all the updates for future installation should the need ever arise. As you have seen the number is huge and with a different approach, unneeded.

 

What is that approach?

It is called a clone of the current drive.

This is a spare hard drive of the same type and size or larger of the current hard drive in the computer, which holds a complete copy of everything that is already on the current hard drive.

Should the worst happen and the current drive becomes useless through corruption, malwares, or a plain ordinary mechanical failure, the original drive is simply removed and the spare drive fitted in its place, you are back up and running in the length of time it takes to do the physical exchange. (A lot quicker than a reinstall and reinstall of all the updates)

 

To do this, it does mean buying a spare hard drive, and if nothing available, also buying a means to connect the new drive via USB so that the clone can be created onto the new spare hard drive.

 

There is also a second approach, this is called a mirror image of the system and is again a complete copy of everything, but in this case it is stored on a permanently external hard drive if you have one, it also requires creating a rescue boot disk.

 

If interested in looking at these further and you have confidence you can do it, let us know and we can explain further.

Also please let us know the make and model of your computer, that may help us to recommend the type of hard drive you need to buy if going that route.

 

Please reply below by clicking on the "Reply to Thread" button below this post.

 

Nev.

[GeordieLad]

Hi Nev,

 

Many thanks for that advice - and YES I'd be happy to try your cloning solution.

 

My current system is HP/Compaq DX2000MT with a 40GB HDD. I also have spare HDDs at least as large (some MUCH larger and all with USB access) and would be happy to consider any suggestions. If you can be specific as to what to do I'd appreciate it.

 

Regards

 

GeordieLad

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, OK, the first thing is to be sure the spare hard drives you have are the same type and at least the same size in capacity. Next, please read all I have written below, it will give you a better understanding of it before making a start.

 

From the specifications I can find, the hard drive in your machine is the older IDE, it has a broad flat cable for the data, so whichever spare hard drive you wish to use should be the same type of connection.

 

There are quite a few software programs available that will create a clone, some paid for and some free.

However I only know the workings of one which is fortunately available as a free version as well as paid for Pro version, I will be explaining the use of the free version as it is all that is required to create a clone.

 

The software is called Macrium Reflect, and is by Paramount software. The free version can be downloaded from here :-

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

 

You can go to the Paramount software Macrium reflect's own website to see and learn , though be careful downloading from their site that you do indeed get the free version and not the trial version of the pro and paid for. Also check carefully and remove any ticks for add ons or other unwanted softwares, you don't need them and some are a plain nuisance if accidentally downloaded and installed.

 

http://www.macrium.com/

 

From that you may actually be able to work out how to create a clone onto another hard drive, or even create and put an image onto an external hard drive.

 

However, some time since I wrote a tutorial on it and is here in our Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Magazine tutorials section. From that you will find step by step instructions, although they were written for an earlier version of Macrium Reflect, the present version is very similar.

 

http://magazine.freepchelp.uk/making-a-cloned-hard-drive-using-macrium-reflect/

 

You may ask what is the difference between a clone and an image?

 

An image, which is meant to be stored on a permanently external hard drive, is a means of restoring your system by reinstalling the image onto either the original hard drive, or a new replacement hard drive, however it will be the system as it was at the time of the creation of the image and will not carry later data or backups.

 

That is due to the image being in a compressed format which is difficult if not impossible to change at a later date, except by creating a new image. Which includes all the time required for that process to complete. The image is compressed in order to reduce the amount of space required on your external hard drive.

 

A clone on the other hand is a complete copy of your system in exactly the same format and taking up the same amount of space. In other words, it is not compressed and easy to modify or add to.

 

If the clone is stored on a spare hard drive of the same type as the one installed in the computer, it can be swapped in at any time and you are back up and running in the time it takes to remove the old and fit the new. A much shorter time than reinstalling an image onto the original or replacement drive.

 

A clone also has the advantage that it can be reconnected at any time and new data copied on to it as a means of keeping up the backups.

The only disadvantage is newly installed software cannot be copied, it has to be installed, which means making a fresh clone of course once the new software has been installed on the computer.

 

Hope all that helps and please ask if any questions,

 

Nev.