Can I update Windows XP from disk?

How do I make a boot disk and a recovery disc for my windows xp sp3?

• Please Help !!! recently my computer crashed during a windows update installing XP SP3. After several attempts of getting my desk top to boot, I started powering my computer on and off while repeatedly hitting the F8 and I tried F1 while pushing the power button on and off. I'm not sure what key I was hitting repeatedly when I got to a bios screen (I think). The screen I was on gave me options of what drive to boot from. I inserted the first (1 of 8) cd discs (recovery disc) that I had made 6 or 7 years ago when I bought the computer. That disk got my computer to boot (lucky) that time. Well many phone calls later I took my computer to a repair shop and after three trips taking it back to them I findley got sp3 installed and windows update working. (I know I should have just bought a new computer) I have it up and running now and would like to make a new back up or recovery disk that will get me back to where I am now. I have been trying to get Mcafee to download and it continues to fail during the install. Mcafee support said I need to install 11 optional updates for their product to install. I'm a bit leary and trigger shy on these windows update installs. I have blank dvd disc if anyone could explain to me how (if possible) that I can make a disc that will save my current state of xp w/ the updates I have, just in case I have another crash. I also have available an external hard drive if I should, could or need to copy files to. Should I get a floppy disk for the boot disc? Please any advice would be appreciated.. Maybe I'm beond help but I'll ask anyway.

• Answer:

  Just use a standard boot disk, and back up your files.