SP1 - SP2

[Bill Parker]

I have two questions; I recently upgraded to WinXP Pro
from 98SE. I need to upgrade some of my older software
and the software vendor indicates that I need to have SP1
installed. Questions:
1. How can I determine if SP1 is installed on the upgrade
2. I have been reading newsgroups re SP2 and it appears
that many people have been having problems with it.
Should I install it and hope for the best or
should I wait? Is there anything I can do to
prevent problems?
Thanks much.

 

[Pop]

message |I have two questions; I recently upgraded to WinXP Pro
| from 98SE. I need to upgrade some of my older software
| and the software vendor indicates that I need to have SP1
| installed. Questions:
| 1. How can I determine if SP1 is installed on the upgrade
| 2. I have been reading newsgroups re SP2 and it appears
| that many people have been having problems with it.
| Should I install it and hope for the best or
| should I wait? Is there anything I can do to
| prevent problems?
| Thanks much.

1. SP1 installed on the upgrade: The upgrade info should tell
you that. It'll read XP Pro with SP1 or some such thing. To
find out, open My Computer, click on View System Information, and
click the General tab if it's not already visible. There, under
the System header, will be the windows version and any Service
Packs loaded. If SP1 isn't listed there, it's not installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp1/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Very good reading.


2. Go ahead an install SP2 but: READ, understand, and follow
Microsoft's instructions (referenced above) on what to do before
you install SP2, which includes complete virus, adware, trojan &
other malware scans and removal. To date, I have not personally
yet found a problem SP2 install when the MS instructions have
been followed.

As always, back up before any major install such as SP2,
upgrades, etc..

Pop

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

SP2 will bring you up to date. Windows Update will determine if you need
prerequisite files and download those at the time you upgrade to SP2. Most
problems seem to have to do with not cleaning out viruses and spyware and
not backing up your files and settings before doing the upgrade.