Windows XP: OEM vs. Retail versions?
- Thread starter Keebler Elf
- Start date
Update XP without using Microsofts Tool
I use http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/. It works with Firefox and doesn't (yet) include the WGA.
You might also be interested in XP Antispy to easily turn off many of the MS user hostile settings. See http://xp-antispy.org/.
I use http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/. It works with Firefox and doesn't (yet) include the WGA.
You might also be interested in XP Antispy to easily turn off many of the MS user hostile settings. See http://xp-antispy.org/.
chuck007 said:Hmmm Monkeychan - I don't have that configuration so I can't say I've ever tried it that way. I don't see any reason it wouldn't work. Let us know if you test it.
tried it last night. Didn't work. The apps is trying to install itself on my HDD instead of the U3-compliant flash-drive. (ie. the add-on program is not U3-compliant)
I looked at http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/security.php for the Known Issues and saw a few restrictions, but none seem to match your setup (unless you are running 64-bit CPU). I use it with Firefox, and recall I had to download the browser helper extention on first use - wonder if you even got that prompt...
I also searched their forum and also did not find anything. I'll google around a bit and if I find any insights for you, I'll post them here.
I also searched their forum and also did not find anything. I'll google around a bit and if I find any insights for you, I'll post them here.
OK - I've re-read this thread and need some clarification:
I'm a bit ignorant of U3 technology. Just reading about it on http://www.everythingusb.com/u3.html I've learned that they emulate 2 partitions on the flash - One that looks like a CDROM and one that looks like a HD. I've heard of people putting Linux on a flash stick, but not sure if you've succeeded in getting Windows there. Depending on the image in the CDROM file system, I suppose an OS upgrade might try to write there, which will likely fail as it is read-only (CDROM emulation). As I think about it, Windows is always writing the registry and other stuff there, which might explain why it's very difficult to get Windows running from flash.
Anyway - looks like this is getting very technical and soon will be over my head.
Both http://windowsupdate.62nds.com and http://xp-antispy.org will try to write to the windows directory. By design intent, they are trying to patch the OS and modify it's permissions respectively. The windows directory is discovered by querying a variable called %WinDir%. When I re-read your post, you say that Firefox is on the USB stick. If your OS is on the hard drive, then both WindowsUpdate or XP-Anti-spy should be trying to write to the HDD.tried it last night. Didn't work. The apps is trying to install itself on my HDD instead of the U3-compliant flash-drive. (ie. the add-on program is not U3-compliant)
I'm a bit ignorant of U3 technology. Just reading about it on http://www.everythingusb.com/u3.html I've learned that they emulate 2 partitions on the flash - One that looks like a CDROM and one that looks like a HD. I've heard of people putting Linux on a flash stick, but not sure if you've succeeded in getting Windows there. Depending on the image in the CDROM file system, I suppose an OS upgrade might try to write there, which will likely fail as it is read-only (CDROM emulation). As I think about it, Windows is always writing the registry and other stuff there, which might explain why it's very difficult to get Windows running from flash.
Anyway - looks like this is getting very technical and soon will be over my head.
