service pack roll back

[Dennis]

This is a first for me, but I've installed many a service
packs, but yet to run across a situation where I'm near
the completion of applying SP4, and then the install
process rolls back to the previous service pack, in this
case SP3. If anyone has dealt with this issue, and a
possible answer, please reply

Thanks

 

[Steve Nielsen]

SP4 is a black mark as far as I'm concerned. It seems fine on many
machines but I've seen enough cases of problems with SP4 to make me not
apply it at all. If your machine has any problems whatsoever, fix them
before applying SP4. If the problems are not addressed specifically as
being "fixed" with SP4 it will likely make them worse and/or cause
others to surface.

Steve

 

[nizam]

I am quite satisfied with SP3 than SP4.

people should use SP3 instead of SP4 than asking for a
roll back.

 

[Ricardo M. Urbano - W2K/NT4 MVP]

I am quite satisfied with SP3 than SP4.

people should use SP3 instead of SP4 than asking for a
roll back.

Hate to say it, but I had problems w/ SP4 too and all my servers are on
SP3 now.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Finally! An MVP comes forth with confirmation instead of the blanket
"there must be something wrong with the computer..." responses I've
gotten over this recently and repeatedly. Thank you.

Steve

 

[Ricardo M. Urbano - W2K/NT4 MVP]

Finally! An MVP comes forth with confirmation instead of the blanket
"there must be something wrong with the computer..." responses I've
gotten over this recently and repeatedly. Thank you.

Steve

Hey Steve. You may get that answer because SP's usually are trouble
free for the vast majority of people and configurations. However, I may
be a little more conservative than most. Before applying a service
pack, I watch these groups for reports. You'll never hear the success
stories here, but you'll certainly here the problems. Even if I am
unlikely to hit those problems myself, I'll be reluctant to apply a
service pack when I see a lot of problems posted here. There were some
service packs that just caused no problems whatsoever and I'll apply
those with my eyes closed.

However, when it comes to my servers, I'll backup the SystemState, image
the server, and then apply the SP w/ the uninstall option.

I did try to apply SP4 and it caused problems on my Terminal Servers. I
immediately rolled all my servers back to SP3

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Thanks for the reply Ricardo.

I am the same way about SPs and patches in general (and not just form M$
- I don't trust Novell much either). The big problem I experienced with
SP4 was on two of my home machines (which were running perfectly before
SP4). Some of the problems I can only assume were introduced by SP4
(since that is exactly when they occured) were not fixed by the
rollback. These were:

Disappearance of all Administrative Tools shorcuts in Control Panel (and
in Programs menu)
Disappearance of all Games shortcuts, all Office shortcuts and several
other apps shortcuts in Programs menu
Dead desktop and toolbar icons
IE and OE not functioning at all (which I was later told was some sort
of horn locking going on between IE updates?)

I had to manually re-create the missing shortcuts and re-install IE.

Nowhere have any of these issues been addressed and the only responses I
got from a couple of MVPs here was basically "there's nothing wrong with
SP4."

I'm not bashing the MPVs. Most are gifted and quite helpful. I just tire
of rote replies and what I see as skirting issues.

Steve

 

[Ricardo M. Urbano - W2K/NT4 MVP]

Thanks for the reply Ricardo.

I am the same way about SPs and patches in general (and not just form M$
- I don't trust Novell much either). The big problem I experienced with
SP4 was on two of my home machines (which were running perfectly before
SP4). Some of the problems I can only assume were introduced by SP4
(since that is exactly when they occured) were not fixed by the
rollback. These were:

Disappearance of all Administrative Tools shorcuts in Control Panel (and
in Programs menu)
Disappearance of all Games shortcuts, all Office shortcuts and several
other apps shortcuts in Programs menu
Dead desktop and toolbar icons
IE and OE not functioning at all (which I was later told was some sort
of horn locking going on between IE updates?)

I had to manually re-create the missing shortcuts and re-install IE.

Nowhere have any of these issues been addressed and the only responses I
got from a couple of MVPs here was basically "there's nothing wrong with
SP4."

I'm not bashing the MPVs. Most are gifted and quite helpful. I just tire
of rote replies and what I see as skirting issues.

Steve

Steve, I hope your overall experience in these NG's is a positive one
because they can be invaluable. A good portion of what I've learned
over the years has been from the MS NG's.

I'm a true NG evangelist and believe strongly in them because of the
real world experience represented in them. But real world experience is
just that. There are MVP's here that have probably rolled out SP4 to
over a thousand machines w/o so much as a hiccough and then there's
someone like me who has only about 200 machines at my location and I've
had several problems.

You've got to take the advice and recommendations w/ a grain of salt,
keeping in mind that much of what is posted here is opinion, even
though it is grounded in experience and put forth by very talented
people...who are willing to help!

Unfortunately, I too have never even heard of the SP4 problems you
experienced, but that's just my own experience.

Sorry I can't be of more help other than I don't like SP4 either.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Steve, I hope your overall experience in these NG's is a positive one
because they can be invaluable. A good portion of what I've learned
over the years has been from the MS NG's.

I'm a true NG evangelist and believe strongly in them because of the
real world experience represented in them. But real world experience is
just that. There are MVP's here that have probably rolled out SP4 to
over a thousand machines w/o so much as a hiccough and then there's
someone like me who has only about 200 machines at my location and I've
had several problems.

You've got to take the advice and recommendations w/ a grain of salt,
keeping in mind that much of what is posted here is opinion, even
though it is grounded in experience and put forth by very talented
people...who are willing to help!

Unfortunately, I too have never even heard of the SP4 problems you
experienced, but that's just my own experience.

Sorry I can't be of more help other than I don't like SP4 either.

I'm ok with the NGs and have gotten invaluable help here many times. I'm
no stanger to NGs in general, I know what to expect. These M$ NGs are a
heck of a lot better than they used to be - at least I do actually get
responses to questions, even if I don't always like the answers

Steve

 

[Ricardo M. Urbano - W2K/NT4 MVP]

I'm ok with the NGs and have gotten invaluable help here many times. I'm
no stanger to NGs in general, I know what to expect. These M$ NGs are a
heck of a lot better than they used to be - at least I do actually get
responses to questions, even if I don't always like the answers

Steve

That's probably because MS is supporting MVP's in a much more formal
fashion than before. It's maturing into a fully legitimate part of MS
product support.

Continued luck!