Tell us what's wrong with the computer ?

What error do you get when using system restore ?

Will the computer boot to Safe Mode ?

If you do a complete system restore back to factory settings you won't be able to get any security updates released after the PC was manufactured. This applies to XP and previous versions of Windows.

Pooh Bear

To be clear, pooh bear, what you're describing (a complete start-over to Day 1) is System Recovery, not a System Restore. Restore is where you roll back to a point some number of weeks or months back in time, to a prior state (the details of which the PC has). All data files are retained. Software downloads, drivers, etc., that were added AFTER the restore date are lost (that's the point, to remove additions that are potentially troublesome).

Recovery is wipe that hard drive and start from scratch. All data files, downloads of any kinds (including system updates), etc., are wiped clean. You're right, Microsoft doesn't provide even the historical updates for XP anymore.

It's unfortunate and confusing that they choose words that are too similar, for actions that are very different.

Just like the update and upgrade. There was a time when effort was made to differentiate between the two. Now a days that difference is nothing but a blur.

DA

If you do a complete system restore back to factory settings you won't be able to get any security updates released after the PC was manufactured. This applies to XP and previous versions of Windows.

Pooh Bear
I don't have a fully unpatched XP system on which to check but I don't think that's correct regards to XP. I ran Windows Update on my XP system (which I'm using for this post) earlier this morn and got the Nov 2014 update of Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

On second thought, I do have an XP system at work that wasn't 100% updated last time I did run updates on it. It's used for a specific off-line task and doesn't normally have an Internet connection but I can connect it when needed ... perhaps I'll do that tonight and see what comes up.

Microsoft turned off XP updates last April, dadoes. It was in the news for months and months and months beforehand. Google "XP updates" or "XP support" and you'll find hundreds of articles. No, make that thousands of articles.

The update you got was for Microsoft's worthless (in my opinion) malware removal tool, it wasn't an XP update.

fwiw

There are a few home brew monthly copies of XP install cd's out there in the wild with all current updates.

Microsoft still has XP embedded updates and they apparently mostly work with desktop versions so far & guys making the monthly cd's are testing their handiwork..

.

What you're describing, mikie, is the PC equivalent of touting "secret" advice to hotwire a Model T Ford. It can be done, but it's really of no use.

One of the writers who wrote of the backdoor that could be used for getting updates for the embedded version cautions it to be a bad idea for PC users. Embedded OSs and the devices that use them are a completely different animal.

XP is vulnerable and unsafe to use on PCs, the experts are in agreement on that point. Anyone who thinks they're accomplishing something (besides saving a minor amount of money) is welcome to proceed. It's a dumb thing to do, it's not clever at all.

I'm not touting anything.
Just pointing out it is available.

It is available and there are computers all around the world using those. Espceially in the developing poorer countries. An d those people would make very good use of any model t, key or no key.

You're saying dadoes drives a stolen Model T and lives in a Third World country?

Dadoes, Merry Christmas! Get yourself another PC.

No. Not until it's non-functional or can't do something I need to do. Porting the software and data to a new system, while doable, is as yet an unnecessary task. Maybe the moment will occur next week ... but not today.

Regards to XP updates ... yes, I'm fully- and well-aware that Microsoft is no longer issuing new updates and fixes for XP as of April 2014. However, I don't think they purged from their servers all the updates for it issued to-date... nor is the license validation gone defunct. A "virgin" XP install should be able to get all the existing updates and be up-to-speed as far as XP goes. Or am I wrong and MS did redact all the old XP patches from availability?

It's not safely functional now. You'll find no one knowledgeable who would suggest otherwise. XP is technically deficient and besides marketing reasons, support was stopped because the problems are not fixable.

That's non-functional to me. If you think you know more than the experts and the current state seems reasonable to you, great.

Old updates that may be specific to XP and probably earlier versions.. unless the same packages are also used in newer vista or 7 wont be available for download from microsofts normal servers.

I've already hit that wall with something for someone. Found the official Microsoft download page for an item with complete detail and other info but would not download .. pushing download redirects to a page with some text about no longer supported.

Most anti-virus companies have stated they will continue supporting XP with their softwares for the near future, if not longer. Last report I saw was something around 30% of world pc's are still XP.. 10% business. Microsoft is selling extended support to business for XP and earning millions, and also to China where 50% of the PC's are XP.

Forbes info from a search;;;
This is a topic that is important to us at Cisco. We believe the number of internet connected devices reached 8.7 billion in 2012.;;;;;

do the math = a whole lot off XP's still online !

This post was edited by mikie on Tue, Dec 9, 14 at 5:33

If a user is not concerned about XP vulnerability so-be-it. Feel free to continue. If they are concerned then the read tagged below should be informative.

I remembered reading it, but it took me a little while to find it.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: ZDNET

This post was edited by damccoy on Tue, Dec 9, 14 at 9:31