Is Service Pack 4 always so dangerous?

[Evi]

I've not fitted SP4 yet, my system seems to be working fine without only SP2
but the list of people with dreadful problems from SP4 is very alarming. Of
course, we only see the problems here but has anyone fitted this Service
Pack and actually experienced an improvement in PC stability? Or should I
wait for SP5 if it ever comes out before MS withdraw all product support?
Evi

 

[Wouter]

I've not fitted SP4 yet, my system seems to be working fine
without only SP2 but the list of people with dreadful
problems from SP4 is very alarming. Of course, we only see
the problems here but has anyone fitted this Service Pack
and actually experienced an improvement in PC stability? Or
should I wait for SP5 if it ever comes out before MS
withdraw all product support? Evi

Realise you only the very very top of problems seen with SP4 or
any software or update.
The great majority of users does not experience problems with
SP4 or whatever software you see mentioned here.
If we would ask everyone with NO problems to respond, the server
would overflow
I think most problems occur due to uncommon combinations of
software installed on one machine or, even more often: to slight
or severe abuse of the Windows environment (e.g. improper
un-install actions, register changes, improper shutdowns etc).

One general advise:
If somethings works great, don't break it.
If your computers work standalone, not networked, there is no
need to update as long as you don't have major problems.
As soon as you get networked you need to pay attention to
computer security in all possible ways (software updates,
firewall, virus scanners and awareness by the computer users to
security issues and behaviour on the Internet).

 

[Sparker9]

There's always the option to uninstall the service pack (unless it's integrated with the installation software from the start).

I prefer creating a full backup (disc image) of the system drive prior to the installation of any major change or addition.

 

[Ozgirl]

but has anyone fitted this Service

Pack and actually experienced an improvement in PC stability?

Yes, I find SP4 to be bug free for me, so far.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

No problems noticed on the several hundred PCs (many different
makes, models, and specs) upgraded at my work.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[*Vanguard*]

I've not fitted SP4 yet, my system seems to be working fine without
only SP2 but the list of people with dreadful problems from SP4 is
very alarming. Of course, we only see the problems here but has
anyone fitted this Service Pack and actually experienced an
improvement in PC stability? Or should I wait for SP5 if it ever
comes out before MS withdraw all product support? Evi

So, by your question, it becomes evident that you do NOT perform
backups. You think that is wise when making a major change to your
platform (hardware and/or software)? It's time you consider doing
backups or creating disk images (that are saved on media OTHER than what
you are backing up in case of hardware failure) so you can recover to a
prior state. SP-4 has the option (provided you don't choose otherwise)
to allow it being uninstalled later, but do you really want to rely on a
software install for something that is making such intimate changes to
your operating system?

 

[Evi]

So, by your question, it becomes evident that you do NOT perform
backups. You think that is wise when making a major change to your
platform (hardware and/or software)? It's time you consider doing
backups or creating disk images (that are saved on media OTHER than what
you are backing up in case of hardware failure) so you can recover to a
prior state. SP-4 has the option (provided you don't choose otherwise)
to allow it being uninstalled later, but do you really want to rely on a
software install for something that is making such intimate changes to
your operating system?

I see what you mean, though the software always gets backed up. I guess that
the OS could always be re-installed. System backups are new to me. My old PC
barely had room for its OS and essential software.

Glad to hear that Ozgirl and Bruce have had only good experiences with SP4.
I noticed that some of the latest security updates demanded SP3 or later
before you could install them so, although all is fine at the mo', at some
time my fatal attraction towards Cover Disks and Freeware will mean that I
have to reformat and then use the service packs to let me make my PC secure.

Evi

 

[Wouter]

cut
I see what you mean, though the software always gets backed
up. I guess that the OS could always be re-installed.
System backups are new to me. My old PC barely had room for
its OS and essential software.

Glad to hear that Ozgirl and Bruce have had only good
experiences with SP4. I noticed that some of the latest
security updates demanded SP3 or later before you could
install them so, although all is fine at the mo', at some
time my fatal attraction towards Cover Disks and Freeware
will mean that I have to reformat and then use the service
packs to let me make my PC secure.

Evi

Microsoft decided some time ago, to release critical Security
Hotfxes (e.g Blaster) for Windows 2000 SP 2 as well (this
support will end anywhere in 2004).
In addition (just to be sure) you can install SP4 over any
existing SP level, they are cumulative: so you can install a
fresh Windows 2000 system and immediate install SP4 on top of
it.
To make a complete system backup (disk image) you need 3th party
software, e.g Norton Ghost, this can write the image to CD's or
to a network location.

 

[Kevin McNiel [MSFT]]

One thing I highly recommend when you install a Service Pack, update,
hotfix, or other software application from a reputable source, be sure to
stop any real mode anti-virus monitoring during the installation. I've seen
a lot of problems arise when it is left running.

Kevin McNiel, MCSE/MCSA
Platform Server Setup Group

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