XP SPA1 wreaks havoc, how can I get SP1

[Jake]

Hello-<BR><BR>I thought WinXP Pro would solve all my problems, eliminate NT4/W98 dual booting, good security, run applications and still play games. Well, I have the OEM version, and XP for me has been the worst operating system I've ever encountered in terms of errors, crashes, and destroyer of systems. I have lost so much time reinstalling this piece of ************************ OS (pls excuse my french). <BR><BR>If someone has a fullproof way of keeping this OS in tact pls advise (I don't want to use system restore however). I have created recovery (ARS?) disks, created batch files to backup/restore the system 32 files, and used the repair functions with some success (both command line - good luck figuring that out - and through XP reinstall menu). <BR><BR>My latest fiasco concerns SP1a (service pack). I created a fresh install of XP Pro (don't ask) and proceeded to install SPA1 from my local drive. About half way through the install, the program said it couldn't copy the file "ntoskrnl.exe" and various others. After cancelling the copy and exiting, the program said my system may not operate properly. It then attempted to undo the install. And of course the system wouldn't work, so I had to run the XP CD and reinstall the OS again. After another fresh install of the OS, I used XP's update program and allowed it to install SPA1 - the same exact problem again, system inoperable, etc. In the past I've been able to install the "SP1" version without problem. However, the copy of SP1 on my local disk says the file is corrupt (it cannot extract all the setup files). I tried to locate SP1 on the internet and at the MS site, but can't find it (MS appears to have removed it in favor of SP1a). Funny thing, when I try searching for SP1 using IE, everytime it will crash (even after rebooting) - and IE wants to sent an error message to big brother Bill Gates (geez, I don't trust that company). In contrast, using Netscape 7.01 I can perfrom searches for SP1 w/out incident, but just can't find it. <BR><BR>Does anyone know where I can FIND SP1? Also, is anyone aware of bug issues installing SP1a? I can't seem to locate any issues w/ SP1a. Sorry about the long thread, I'm really frustrated with XP. Any help is GREATLY APPRECIATED! <BR><BR>SYSTEM SPECS:<BR>ANTEC SX1030B CASE (300 WATT)<BR>AMD1800XP CPU<BR>SOYO K7V DRAGON PLUS (Drivers = VIA via4in1445v(a) and cmediawinxpv0641.zip)<BR>TWO(2) 256MB SAMSUNG PC2100 DDR (512MB TOTAL)<BR>ATI RADEON 8500 (Powered) (Driver = wxp-w2k-radeon-7-81-021218a-007192c-efg.exe)<BR>TWO(2) 80GB WESTERN DIGITAL UDMA100(WD800JB-00CRA1) w/ 8MB CACHE (NO RAID IS SETUP, YET)<BR>DVD ROM <BR>LS120 SUPER DISK 2X (RELEASE B)<BR>ACTIONTEC V.90/92 MODEM<BR>CABLE MODEM AND ROUTER (LINKSYS)<BR>WIN XP PRO (OEM)

[zaltec]

First off, why exactly does your system crash so much? XP is very stable, much more so that any other windows OS except for win2k. I've had it for a year now without any serious errors or crashes. (I do oc a little so unstability usually has to do with the hardware.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">)<BR>filesearching.com might help, or any p2p network. And is there any particular problem with the OEM version that you need to install a service pack? I haven't used SP1a, but my install of SP1 is web based, and does not work any more seeing as M$ saw it fit to pull the files.<BR>

[Jake]

Wish I knew. Part of it is I'm new to XP system and have made some mistakes when setting it up (never the same one twice, well okay, but infrequently). Other times it occurs when updating drivers, creating RAIDs, or most recently, adding SP1a (had no problem with SP1). It may also be hardware related, as I bulit my own rig. Anyway, XP is great when its working, I agree. I just need to get my system to a point where I'm happy with everything, then I will mirror the drive and keep a backup HD (just in case). I also need to learn more about best ways to recover system, etc. Too much to do however, not much time to screw around with system these days. <BR><BR>You mention you installed SP1 via web, however, as I understand it you can no longer use the SP1 setup b/c MS removed it from web? However, if you installed it, web or otherwise, SP1 is still on your system. I'd like to know if others are having any problems installing SP1a.<BR><BR>Regards

[bluegreenshxt]

which version of sp1 are you lookin for?? the small one or the 133 meg one?? cause i have the huge ass one...and it works for me...if you need it that badly...i can put it up on overnet...

[bluegreenshxt]

O M G...THEY TOOK OFF JAVA VM??????????????????????????? losers...o well..i guess it pays to have a 10 gig storage drive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> i have java vm and sp1...LOL <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">

[bluegreenshxt]

you lucky bastard...heres a link <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ...well a couple...<BR><BR><a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://premierdownload.microsoft.com/download/whistler/SP/SP1/WXP/en-us/xpsp1_en_x86.exe">mirror 1</a><BR><a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://files.tweakers.net/xpsp1_en_x86.exe">mirror 2</a><BR><a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.bagpipes.net/files/xp-utilities/xpsp1_en_x86.exe">mirror 3</a><BR><BR>enjoy <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">