[Ham-Computers] to XP or not-XP: that is the question

[Chuck]

Boot from your Windows XP disk. You may have to go into Setup (F2) at 
boot and set your DVD/CD drive as the first boot device.
When prompted, hit any key to boot from the CD.
DON'T use the recovery console repair. Instead use" To set up Windows XP 
now, press ENTER"
After pressing ENTER you will see a license agreement. Press F8 to accept.
You will now see two options one of which is  "To repair the selected 
Windows XP installation, press R.
Press R and the repair will begin.
After the repair, You will have to reinstall the Windows XP updates, but 
you will not have to use the Microsoft Update service and all its nonsense.
Go to http://download.wsusoffline.net.  BOOKMARK this page for future 
reference.
On the right will be a blue area which is labeled "Most recent version"
Download that file by clicking on the file in blue. After installing it, 
unzip it into a folder, and run it by clicking on UPDATE GENERATOR.EXE 
in the folder. Choose LEGACY PRODUCTS. Select ENGLISH
and START.
This program will download and install ALL updates and best of all it is 
free.
Good luck es 73,
Chuck KA6UUP