I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been reading
so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
my delima. Thanks

Hi,

Basically, it...

- Installs any missing critical updates
- Adds functionality to the firewall
- Adds DEP (something that is useful to keep down the malware)
- Makes some minor cosmetic changes

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"liverlover" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:139301c49db4$01097e50$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been reading
> so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
> really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
> does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
> my delima. Thanks

You will have to make up your own mind, You will get many opinions here but
the true fact is no one can guarantee SP2 will not screw up your computer,
On the other hand there is no guarantee it will screw up your computer. It
is still pretty much a crap shoot no matter what anyone else says.
You win some, you lose some.


Testy

"liverlover" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:139301c49db4$01097e50$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been reading
> so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
> really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
> does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
> my delima. Thanks

Also, never hurts to take some precautions before installing SP2.

I did do the following just prior to installing XP:

Checked for adware/spyware with Ad Aware 6.0
Checked for latest updates for my peripherals
Checked for latest updates for my applications
Updated my AV software virus definition files.
Ran a virus scan.
Did a disk cleanup, cleaning out temp files and cookies.
Did a chkdsk on my system drive.
Imaged my system partition with PowerQuest Drive Image to external hard
drive. ( if no imaging software, I would strongly recommend , at the least,
backing up all important data files, and settings ). Take precaution when
deciding what to back up, make triple sure you have any data files that are
very important to you backed up in some way, either to another partion, hard
drive, cdr, floppy.

Downloaded SP2 network version ( complete 266 mb file) from windows update
catalogue site.
Disabled my AV software.
Installed SP2. I think it took about 15 minutes for me, maybe 20 at the
most.

After installation:
Ran disk defragger on system partition. Made sure AV software was activated
again. Checked my main applications and programs I run to make sure no
issues.

No problems, and my computer appears to be a little snappier. No conflicts
with any of the security features, matter of fact i have a hardware nat
firewall with my router for my cable internet, and have the XP firewall on,
and no issues. I also really like the pop up blocker.


Don Burnette


Rick "Nutcase" Rogers wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Basically, it...
>
> - Installs any missing critical updates
> - Adds functionality to the firewall
> - Adds DEP (something that is useful to keep down the malware)
> - Makes some minor cosmetic changes
>
>
> "liverlover" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:139301c49db4$01097e50$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been reading
>> so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
>> really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
>> does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
>> my delima. Thanks

"You win some, you lose some", suggests luck.
Often said by those unwilling to take time to prepare for a
significant update and counting on luck.
Since there is no such thing as luck, you should prepare the computer
to reduce the possibility of potential issues.

See these links for what you get:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811113

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

Also see:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

To reduce the possibility of problems related to installation of SP-2,
follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"liverlover" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:139301c49db4$01097e50$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been reading
> so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
> really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
> does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
> my delima. Thanks

Can you personally guarantee that will work 100% of the time on 100% of all
computers?

Testy

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "You win some, you lose some", suggests luck.
> Often said by those unwilling to take time to prepare for a significant
> update and counting on luck.
> Since there is no such thing as luck, you should prepare the computer to
> reduce the possibility of potential issues.
>
> See these links for what you get:
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811113
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
>
> Also see:
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
>
> To reduce the possibility of problems related to installation of SP-2,
> follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist:
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>
>
> "liverlover" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:139301c49db4$01097e50$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been reading
>> so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
>> really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
>> does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
>> my delima. Thanks
>
>

I never suggested "100% of the time", that is entirely your idea.
However preparation sure beats the ridiculous idea that luck has
anything to do with success or failure of anything.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Testy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:tz93d.37742$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Can you personally guarantee that will work 100% of the time on 100%
> of all computers?
>
> Testy

Bottom line, SP2 is not a necessary upgrade. Keep you
system up to date with security updates and anti-virus
software and you will be fine. There is no need to risk
corrupting your computer.


>-----Original Message-----
>I am almost ready toinstall the SP2, I have been
reading
>so many problems with the SP2 I am wondering if one
>really needs it. What exactly will it do for me, and
>does one really need it. Hope someone can help me solve
>my delima. Thanks
>.
>

Well then, you win some and you lose some!

Testy

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I never suggested "100% of the time", that is entirely your idea.
> However preparation sure beats the ridiculous idea that luck has anything
> to do with success or failure of anything.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>
>
> "Testy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:tz93d.37742$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Can you personally guarantee that will work 100% of the time on 100% of
>> all computers?
>>
>> Testy
>
>

And whose idea is it that winning has anything to do with luck? Anyone in a
skilled game can win, is it luck when they do?

Testy

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I never suggested "100% of the time", that is entirely your idea.
> However preparation sure beats the ridiculous idea that luck has anything
> to do with success or failure of anything.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>
>
> "Testy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:tz93d.37742$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Can you personally guarantee that will work 100% of the time on 100% of
>> all computers?
>>
>> Testy
>
>