1) If they have a mirror disk configuration then break the mirror and preferably take the drive physically out of the system. If it's possible to mirror the system then do it and be sure it completely rebuilds onto the system (the event log reports when the build is done) Make sure the drive that had the mirror on it is not using drive letters (remove them or physically remove the drive).

2) Backup the system and C: partitions including the registry (be sure all applications are not running). Use a DLT or DAT tape if at all possible.

3) Create an ERD (emergency repair disk) on a floppy (rdisk /s).

4) Save the disk configuration onto a floppy (go into disk administrator--partition menu--configuration--save).

5) Copy the Hal files onto a floppy (all including the osloader.exe and all the other files from c:\os\winnt40\*.*) also copy them into a saved folder on the harddrive.

6) Open the nt4sp4 self extracting file (the service pack) into a dedicated folder i.e. s:\nt4sp4 to extract it type the filename from a command prompt with -x i.e. nt4sp4.exe -x.

7) Go to the control panel--services stop the spooler service and if it prompts you about other services being stopped agree to it (click ok).

8) In step 6 the self extracting .exe creates a sub folder called "update" go to this folder and execute the update.exe file in there.

9) Choose to backup existing files and make an uninstall of the service pack and accept the license prompt. Start the service pack and for any prompts to replace existing files tell it to replace them but make a note of what the file was that it replaces.

10) While service pack is running the upgrade and copying files locate with the NT explorer the winprint.dll file in the service pack folder. highlight the file and copy it into the clipboard (control-c) or (right click-copy). Navigate with explorer to the systemdrive\winnt\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32alpha (or w32x86 for Intel's) can paste (control-v or right click--paste) into that folder and overwrite the existing file.

11) When SP4 is finished you will need to reboot the computer. If there are any problems rebooting (especially if there are any problems with the Hal files and the osloader portion of the boot up you will need to use the floppy you created in step 5 above and configure a boot up option in the computer's bios menu (arc console boot menu) to allow you to use the osloader files from the "a:" drive or in older Alpha's, "eisa".

12) If booting is successful from the floppy but not from the system drive then copy the Hal files from the floppy (or from the backup location you made in step 5) into the c:\os\winnt40 folder (backup the new files that SP4 put into the location first).