Best practice Question on Compaq Server and 2003 loading SP1

[Adam Raff]

Good Day,

I have three servers that have Windows 2003 Enterprise installed. I am
going to install SP1 on these systems then reboot then follow up with
critical updates to bring these systems up to date.
Since these are Compaq servers I looked around and noticed that they
recommend that I install the PSP (Compaq drivers) with the overwrite option
right after I install SP1 then reboot the server.

So here are my questions:

Is this a good idea and has anybody had issues with this. I have not seen a
Service Pack install drivers in a long time and they normally ask if you
wish to replace the drivers.

Also my understanding when installing a SP or critical update is that the
update is on compressed mode and only updates the files during the reboot so
it can overwrite the old files. So installing the PSP with overwrite
wouldn't do anything since you have not really written the file yet. Also
couldn't this cause a conflict with two files trying to overwrite at the
same time?

The other issue that I have with this is that by adding another thing to the
list it makes it harder to back track if something goes wrong. It would
make more sense (doesn't mean that it's the right way of doing it) would be
to install SP1 reboot, then install Critical Updates then reboot again then
install the PSP. This way you can see the system come back up each time and
that there are no issues.

Thanks for your input
Adam Raff

 

[Steven Wang [MSFT]]

Hello Adam,

Thank you for posting.

From your post, my understanding of this issue is: You would like to know
what the best practice is about installing Windows Server 2003 SP1 and the
Compaq PSP. If this is not correct, please feel free to let me know.

Adam, I do agree with you that after we install the SP1, we need to restart
the computer immediately before installing any other updates and drivers.

Usually, when we install any Windows updates, the installer will extract
the files and copy them to the appropriate folders. If the old file which
needs to be updated is not in use, the file will be replaced automatically.
If there is any old file which needs to be updated is in use, it will be
tracked and the computer will need to restart after the installation is
finished, and the file which is in use will be replaced during the restart.

Regarding the Windows updates, before overwrite a file, the version of the
file will be checked. The later version of the files will overwrite the
earlier version of the files, and if the version of the exist file is
later, the overwriting will not occur, and usually an error message will be
displayed.

Therefore, I would suggest we immediately restart the computer whenever you
are prompted to do so after installing service pack or updates. Regarding
the PSP, since I am not familiar with it and there is not test environment
on my hand to install and test it, therefore, if you have any further
question on the PSP, I would suggest we contact the Compaq support to see
whether they have any more information.

Hope the above information helps. Should you have any question or concern,
please feel free to let me know. I am glad to be of assistance.

Have a nice week!

Steven Wang (MSFT)
Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support

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--------------------

 

[Adam Raff]

Hi Steven,

I spoke to somebody at Compaq who gave me the explanation on why you would
install the PSP right after the SP1 install. It is a follows

After SP1 is installed it may overwrite some drivers that Compaq needs such
as the Raid controller drivers. This is more common in a SP install then a
Critical update which could cause a BSOD or the system not coming up
properly. Compaq recommends that right after SP1 is installed (or any SP)
you install the PSP with overwrite. How it works is that the last file
installed will be the file that is used. Thus since the PSP is installed
right after SP1 is installed (before the reboot) it should install the PSP
file instead of any drivers that SP1 would install.

They did say that it is more important in a SP install to follow this
procedure and they recommend that you do this even with Critical updates
such as Patch Tuesday but the chances are less likely with a critical update
since they are more security updates then driver updates.

Thanks
Adam Raff

 

[Steven Wang [MSFT]]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for your prompt reply and taking time to let us know the additional
information. Since the PSP is developed by Compaq, and it will replace
some Windows system files, I think it is better to follow their suggestions
to install the Service Pack and PSP.

Again, thank you for your time and efforts.

Have a nice day!

Steven Wang
Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support

--------------------

From: "Adam Raff" <[email protected]>
References: <#[email protected]>

 

[Douglas Kentner]

keeping all in perspective I've gone through the SP1 install on a good
number of HP/Compaq servers and have taken the restart before psp install
route without any issue. That being said it will be important to understand
the unique components in your systems and best case test in a non production
environment first.

 

[Adam Raff]

Hi Douglas,

I wish I could test but I can't since this is one of three servers and we
only have these three to work with.

Since we are running PSP Version 7.02 which is not compliant from what
Compaq says for SP1 they recommend to run this update after the install to
prevent any driver issues. This system is also our Exchange Server running
2003 SP1

Adam Raff

 

[Douglas Kentner]

In that scenario I'd give this advice,

You're realistically looking at primarily the mass storage controller
causing problems if you have one based on incompatible driver, most other
driver problems should be a show stopping BSOD during boot. you should have
a known good version of the driver on hand in a format that would allow you
to replace the driver should the machine run into problems. this would be
through means of a modified ERD as described in MS KB
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/164471/EN-US/

or a tool such as Winternals' ERD Commander. If you have the ability to
replace the driver if something happens it would also be wise to have an
image of the box in case something worse goes wrong. however that being said
it's always going to be best to start with your lowest priority server and
work your way up. like I said I havent' run into any SP1/HP driver problems
after the install but that certainly doesn't mean there aren't hardware
combinations out there that wouldn't have problems.

hope that helps.