In message , Robbie
Hatley writes:
[]
So I'm not quite clear on your answer. Are you saying that
*NO* manual edit of the registry is necessary to safely use
hard disks larger than 137GB? You mention SP1. What about
the bare OS without any service pack? I have to install
that before DLing any SPs, right? Hopefully it won't mess up
my big HD before I have a chance to install the SPs?
[]
You can get "the bare OS" already including SP1, 2, and (I think) 3: any
XP install disc you've got recently will not require SP1 or 2 to be
installed at all - they're already in the OS install. (I'm not sure
about 3, though I suspect that applies too; certainly this machine, like
most XP machines sold last year, came with SP3 already installed, and I
very much doubt the makers had to mess about installing the OS then
service packs.

Of course, if you already have an install CD from some years ago, then
yes, you will have to install it first, followed by whatever SPs it
didn't already include. Or, you need to make an install CD that includes
the SPs - Google for "slipstreaming" for how - and use that. (Probably
makes for a slightly cleaner OS install, but a tedious business if you
only have the one PC to set up.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

"Anything else you'd like me to do while I'm at it? Paint the sky green? Bury
the odd elephant I find lying around ..." - Tidy, the Android - Earthsearch II,
part 2. (1982-5-2)