Question - SP2

B

BillW

I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she do the same.
After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of the problems
people have encountered, should we both turn auto update off and wait until
SP2 has been out for awhile before installing it? She is not technical at
all and I'm concerned that she could end up with a real mess (she lives in
another state). I'm not real excited about ending up in a mess myself. I
would appreciate your input. Thanks for you help.
 
S

Steven K

BillW said:
I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she do the
same. After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of the
problems people have encountered, should we both turn auto update off and
wait until SP2 has been out for awhile before installing it? She is not
technical at all and I'm concerned that she could end up with a real mess
(she lives in another state). I'm not real excited about ending up in a
mess myself. I would appreciate your input. Thanks for you help.
Click to expand...


In terms of Microsoft it is *always* a good idea to wait a few weeks when it
is a service pack, and, at least a few month, when it is a new OS release!
If u dont want to be one of the "Final Beta" casualties!
 
R

root

BillW said:
I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she do the same.
After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of the problems
people have encountered, should we both turn auto update off and wait until
SP2 has been out for awhile before installing it? She is not technical at
all and I'm concerned that she could end up with a real mess (she lives in
another state). I'm not real excited about ending up in a mess myself. I
would appreciate your input. Thanks for you help.
Click to expand...

The risks are small. Go for it.
 
P

Plato

BillW said:
I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she do the same.
After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of the problems
people have encountered, should we both turn auto update off and wait until
SP2 has been out for awhile before installing it? She is not technical at
all and I'm concerned that she could end up with a real mess (she lives in
another state). I'm not real excited about ending up in a mess myself. I
would appreciate your input. Thanks for you help.
Click to expand...

It's up to you. Please list what features of the update you need.
 
C

Chad Harris

Bill--

Putting everything in perspective and having paid close attention to the
builds of SP2 and their issues, and RTM and its issues, I would encourage
you and your daughter to download SP2. It's relatively very stable by now
and many of us who are using it are not having the significant problems that
would be anywhere within light years near the spectrum of "instability" or
"a real mess."

Aside from minor incompatibility that I think Norton should have fixed long
ago and better now, and communicated more clearly, mostly with 2002 and 2003
versions. I complained about this because it could have been handled in a
better way. None of the problems though is major, and there are easy go
arounds. Other than minor problems with Norton that they could avoid, and
many people are not having with a patch released yesterday that will be
minimized with Norton 2005 versions, I'm not having any problems using it
with a very long list of applications.

Otherwise I'm not experiencing any problems whatsoever with it. I think
it's extremely stable. There may be some understandable applications and
hardware that have normal new major SP problems with it, and I'm sure some
business may have "specialty applications" that will need patches or
adjustments, but I would encourage you in the strongest way to download it
as soon as AU or WU makes it available because it is a significant security
improvement over SP1 with some minor functionality changes.

If you have a broadband connection, then you can download it here now in its
larger form for networking. Many people have done this, because they are
anxious to get it and don't want to wait. Microsoft has gone all out to
put *so much detailed help and easy to follow instructions* on their web
site, they recognize that many of their users will not be technically
advanced and have taken pains to target instructions this way.

A number of people on this group have been using it in some form since
December, 2003 and should be able to help you quickly if anything comes up.
Another way I'd say it to you and your daughter is I don't think you are
going to encounter any more problems after installing it. Here are some
links you can refer to and the current download is at the top. If you
aren't on dial up, it is about 275MB but it didn't take that long and is a
very easy installation. The AU version will be smaller and more suitable
for dialup--I think they have plans to release it to previous public beta
testers first and then to make it available in the next week or two to
everyone.

Network Installation SP2 Available Now (275MB)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

SP2 Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2

Highlights and Top Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;windowsxpsp2it

Information on SP2 for Less Technical Users
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

SP2 Fixes
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;811113

SP2 Resources
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr.../winxpsp2.mspx#XSLTdivision120120124121120120

Top 10 Reasons to Deploy
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2top.mspx

Tips on Using SP2 from Microsoft's XP Expert Zone
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.mspx

hth,

Chad Harris
_________________________________



I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she do the same.
After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of the problems
people have encountered, should we both turn auto update off and wait until
SP2 has been out for awhile before installing it? She is not technical at
all and I'm concerned that she could end up with a real mess (she lives in
another state). I'm not real excited about ending up in a mess myself. I
would appreciate your input. Thanks for you help.
 
T

t.cruise

Yes, wait. A client installed some of the updates that are included in SP2, and now
although his CD ROM shows in MY Computer, but no files from ANY disk can be read.
Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers didn't do any good. Caveats about removing
those (SP2) updates bring up a warning with a list of programs that might not run if the
update is removed. But, he also has a DVD drive that still functions. So, in lieu of a
clean install now, he'll wait for a problem he can't cope with. Yes, it's a good idea to
wait a couple of months, and follow the news group threads about SP2 before installing.
 
M

Mike Kolitz

Bill,

You have to realize where you are - peer support forums. The
signal-to-noise ratio in these groups is *always* in favor of the people who
are having problems with a product. Users who aren't having any problems at
all would typically never take the time to say so.

I've been running different versions of SP2 for months, and I've had very
few problems to speak of. I'm sure others have the same story to tell.

There will *never* be an update of this magnitude that works for everyone.
That's just how it goes.
 
T

t.cruise

" I've been running different versions of SP2 for months, and I've had very
few problems to speak of..." I'm sure others have had the same experience. Add the
number posts with serious problems, and the number of posts like yours that have had "few
problems." I have a Windows XP 1a system, with a good firewall, a decent antivirus
program, good spyware/malware detection, and NO PROBLEMS, I can't think of one good
reason to upgrade to SP2. Just because SP2 is available, doesn't mean I'll rush to
download and install it. Maybe in 4-6 months, when I purchase a new system that already
has SP2 installed, I'll feel more confident about it. I don't want to have to bother with
the little annoyances I've seen posted like lost status bars, or the major problems I've
seen posted. I have no desire to do a clean install to fix some SP2 related problems that
can't be resolved any other way. For now, my system is problem free, and I want to keep
it that way.
--

T.C.
t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
Remove [NoSpam] to reply
 
K

Ken Blake

In
BillW said:
I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be
automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she
do the
same. After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of
the
problems people have encountered, should we both turn auto
update off
and wait until SP2 has been out for awhile before installing
it? She
is not technical at all and I'm concerned that she could end up
with
a real mess (she lives in another state). I'm not real excited
about
ending up in a mess myself. I would appreciate your input.
Thanks
for you help.
Click to expand...


You've already gotten several opinions, and different ones. I'll
add mine.

The risk of "ending up in a mess" is small. But there always is
*some* risk when you install any fix, especially when the fix is
a big service pack like this one.

On the other hand, there's also a risk in *not* installing it.
SP2 is heavily oriented toward security, and not installing it
increases your vulnerability during the period you wait.

So there's a tradeoff--there's risk both ways, and you have to
determine which risk you think is greater. How you evaluate the
tradeoff is up to you, but SP2 has gotten extensive testing and
my recommendation is to install it. I did, and I haven't had any
problems.

Also, regarding "reading many of the posts on this forum and some
of the problems people have encountered," you need to be aware
that this is a place where people come for help with their
problems. You should *expect* to see problems here, and not
expect to see many posts from people saying everything works
fine. As someone once said, hang around a transmission shop and
you'll think that all cars have transmission problems.
 
R

root

On the other hand, there's also a risk in *not* installing it.
SP2 is heavily oriented toward security, and not installing it
increases your vulnerability during the period you wait.
Click to expand...

That's the primal argument which can only leave one with:
INSTALL SP2 ASAP
 
A

Alex Nichol

BillW said:
I have set auto update on as MS suggests so SP2 can be automatically
installed on my computer. I suggested to my daughter that she do the same.
After reading many of the posts on this forum and some of the problems
people have encountered, should we both turn auto update off and wait until
SP2 has been out for awhile before installing it?
Click to expand...

I would turn it off and wait until you can get a CD. Later this month
they should start appearing, and it will be possible in due course to
order from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx
if you do not see another source
 
T

Testy

And there is one stat you are not taking into account. At this point in time
SP2 has been installed by those that actively pursued it and had at least
some knowledge of what they were doing! When it is released thru Windows
Update and all the idiots start installing it the posts about problems will
expand geometrically.
\
Testy

Chad Harris said:
T-

Appreciate your point of view but there is one newsgroup stat you don't
take into account and it is critical. The bellshaped curve of people who
don't have problems aren't posting to toast their success on these groups.
But there is much to be said for sitting back and waiting until 3rd party
applications get their ducks in a row later, and some people like to wait
a good while before a service pack sets in and I appreciate that. Your
approach is a *very well reasoned approach*, and particularly if you have
a few or more production machines in a small business. I like to see the
new things early, but know that I may subject myself to some growing pains
when I do. I do think though that there has been some concern over
installing service packs that is out of proportion to what most people
have to deal with, but that's just my idea.

Chad Harris
______________________________________________________

" I've been running different versions of SP2 for months, and I've had
very
few problems to speak of..." I'm sure others have had the same
experience. Add the
number posts with serious problems, and the number of posts like yours
that have had "few
problems." I have a Windows XP 1a system, with a good firewall, a decent
antivirus
program, good spyware/malware detection, and NO PROBLEMS, I can't think
of one good
reason to upgrade to SP2. Just because SP2 is available, doesn't mean
I'll rush to
download and install it. Maybe in 4-6 months, when I purchase a new
system that already
has SP2 installed, I'll feel more confident about it. I don't want to
have to bother with
the little annoyances I've seen posted like lost status bars, or the major
problems I've
seen posted. I have no desire to do a clean install to fix some SP2
related problems that
can't be resolved any other way. For now, my system is problem free, and
I want to keep
it that way.
--

T.C.
t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
Remove [NoSpam] to reply
Click to expand...
 
R

root

The Preacher said:
Consider this though, Hackers and the like have been attacking sp1 for a
long time now and are running out of ways to 'get in'. Ah they say whats this
sp2 all about then...I know, as it's only just released i'll attack that with
everything i have.
Click to expand...

YES, but I'll place my bet on the MS team building SP2 and that team's
ABILITY to keep ahead of the hackers with SP2 and Automatic Updates enabled.
That's MUCH more secure that SP1.
moral of the story...no harm in waiting until you are
confident in sp2 as the risk of not upgrading is unlikely to differ from
where you are right now.
Click to expand...

I DISAGREE.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

Vista SP2 Questions -- Please Help 6
Dirext X - SP2 2
SP2 changes 11
Amusing andecdote - good for a laugh 18
SP2 question 5
Scared to Death! 48
Upgrade to SP2 5
Scrolling disabled for a while after a restart? 5

Top