Reinstalling and WGA

Ar-Adunakhor · Post by **Ar-Adunakhor** » 2006-12-09 10:04pm

So, a couple days ago I had a hard drive failure and needed to do the usual crap associated with it, including reinstalling Windows. Now, I get the thing reinstalled and find that I need to snag Service Pack 2, but it won't let me get it without downloading the mandatory (apparently) Windows Genuine Advantage Phone-Home Shit™.

So. I know at one time I was able to refuse to install this junk but get SP2 anyway. What happened? Am I doomed to downloading it? Aid would be greatly appreciated.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-12-10 12:14am

I think you can do it through setting automatic updates and then installing SP2 but not WGA.

Ar-Adunakhor · Post by **Ar-Adunakhor** » 2006-12-10 12:59am

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Natorgator · Post by **Natorgator** » 2006-12-10 03:33am

Yeah, you'll just have to make sure you turn off automatic updates because otherwise it will install WGA without you knowing.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-12-10 11:38am

Right, you turn on the "download, but let me choose when to install" option.

Braedley · Post by **Braedley** » 2006-12-10 01:07pm

Or you could do what I did and get microsoft to send you a (free) cd with the SP2 install on it. It takes a couple of weeks to get it, but makes future reinstalls a lot less painful.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2006-12-10 01:17pm

Braedley wrote:Or you could do what I did and get microsoft to send you a (free) cd with the SP2 install on it. It takes a couple of weeks to get it, but makes future reinstalls a lot less painful.

Or if you have a CD burner, just create your own customised WinXP installs with nLite.