Sometimes a program, bad driver or conflicts that destroy or corrupt files will necessitate a reinstallation. WinXP will replace damaged or corrupted files without disturbing your data or registry settings so that these will still be available to you. 1. Boot from the WinXP CD 2. Select set up WinXP(ENTER) 3. Windows will find an existing copy of itself and give you the option to repair the highlighted installation 4. WinXP will copy the necessary files to your HD and install My question is this, I have an original Win XP SP1 CD, plus a CD update with SP2 on it. Which CD should I use when doing a repair?

It doesn't matter, because the repair procedure does not install any Microsoft updates. You will have to install SP1 or SP2 after the Repair. Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

Sorry, that was a faulty response. You have to use the XP CD to do the repair. But the XP CD will not install the SP1 update. The SP2 CD doesn't have the files to do the repair. Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

Or you can slipsteam. Once your comp is squeaky clean ( no virii, trojans, spyfiles or any other clitches ) get all your updates ( sp2 etc ) & do this. I use nlite. ==================================== Upgrade the XP CD, this is done by slipstreaming. Universal Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide http://www.msfn.org/articles.ph...w&showarticle=49 http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=284&p=2 www.informationweek.com/...gno=1&queryText= A service pack is a product-specific collection of updates that fix security, program compatibility and system reliability issues. It also provides enhancements, administration tools, drivers and additional components that have been developed since the product's release. In short, a service pack helps to keep your product current and extends its functionality. This guide will describe the easiest way possible to slipstream (also known as 'Integrate') a Service Pack into Windows 2000, XP or 2003. The days of typing out command switches, and fiddling with boot sectors and ISO settings in Nero are long gone, so none of that will be described here! :-) To do this, we will only need one program - MSFN's very own popular nLite created by one of our members nuhi. While nLite is primarily aimed to remove components to slim down a Windows CD, it has the required tools to do just an automated Service Pack slipstream as well as create a CD image. http://www.nliteos.com Prerequisites: A Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 CD The latest "Network Install" Service Pack for one of the above Operating Systems Suitable CD Burning software capable of burning .ISO files (Nero, Alcohol, Easy CD Creator, etc.) nLite Before we start, make sure you are doing this on an NT Operating System (those are Windows 2000, XP or 2003) otherwise the slipstream will not work. nLite also requires the .NET Framework to function. ========================================= Now you will have this repair option available. Reinstall WindowsXP and keep all your current installed applications and settings: Put your XP cd in the drive. Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt or, Start > click Run, type cmd and click OK. Copy & paste > D:\I386\winnt32 /unattend Press Enter. If you have i386 on your drive, you can replace D: with the location of it.

If you have a slipstreamed SP2 XP cd you can system repair with it and the you will only need the updates since SP2 release. http://computervitals.com/

If you have a slipstreamed SP2 XP cd you can system repair with it and the you will only need the updates since SP2 release. Go here for the procedure. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=slipstream+SP2&btnG=Google+Search http://computervitals.com/

If the comp is unbootable, the unattend method is unavailable, you can use your slipstreamed cd this way. XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897