SP2 Update

[Scott]

I have a Gateway 700x desktop that's 4 years old and runs Win XP Pro
with SP1. I've installed all the Windows Updates along the way. I
run Zone Alarm, Counter Spy, and Nod32 (anti-virus), am on a Linksys
wireless home network, and I'm very security concious. My desktop runs
flawlessly. Is there any compelling reason why I should upgrade this
machine to SP2?

The reason I ask is that I tried to upgrade my original Geo-Force video
drivers some months back and got a blue screen. So I rolled back the
driver. All my other hardware drivers are up to date.

Any reason to mess with a well-running and reasonable secure system?

Thanks!
Scott

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

If you have positively, absolutely kept up with security and critical updates, then you may seem to have a lessened need.
However, there will come a day when support for SP1 will lapse.

Video card driver updates can be tricky, and you should always get them from the manufactuer. But do NOT let that issue keep you from applying the service pack.

Do a run of WINVER and see what version number it shows. Run your Internet Explorer, do a Help >About. See what version number it shows and the last 1 or 2 updates it lists. Visit Windows Updates and see what updates it offers.

 

[POP]

If you have positively, absolutely kept up with security
and critical updates, then you may seem to have a lessened
need.
However, there will come a day when support for SP1 will
lapse.

Video card driver updates can be tricky, and you should
always get them from the manufactuer. But do NOT let that
issue keep you from applying the service pack.

Do a run of WINVER and see what version number it shows.
Run your Internet Explorer, do a Help >About. See what
version number it shows and the last 1 or 2 updates it
lists. Visit Windows Updates and see what updates it
offers.

Are you trying to say that SP1 with all the updates is the
equivalent of SP2 with all the updates? That's not quite true.
SP2 closed many holes, as did the Office Service Packs etc.

 

[Scott]

If you have positively, absolutely kept up with security and critical updates, then you may seem to have a lessened need.
However, there will come a day when support for SP1 will lapse.

Video card driver updates can be tricky, and you should always get them from the manufactuer. But do NOT let that issue keep you from applying the service pack.

Do a run of WINVER and see what version number it shows. Run your Internet Explorer, do a Help >About. See what version number it shows and the last 1 or 2 updates it lists. Visit Windows Updates and see what updates it offers.

Maurice,

Yes, I install all security and critical updates. I did get the video driver update from
the manufacturer. I have heard that video drivers need to be currente before installing SP2.

My Internet Explorer version is: 6.0.2800.1106xp2,050301-1526. There are a lot of security
updates listed, the last one being: X903235.

Scott

 

[Scott]

If you have positively, absolutely kept up with security and critical updates, then you may seem to have a lessened need.
However, there will come a day when support for SP1 will lapse.

Video card driver updates can be tricky, and you should always get them from the manufactuer. But do NOT let that issue keep you from applying the service pack.

Do a run of WINVER and see what version number it shows. Run your Internet Explorer, do a Help >About. See what version number it shows and the last 1 or 2 updates it lists. Visit Windows Updates and see what updates it offers.

Maurice,

By the way, I rarely use Internet Explorer. I prefer Firefox, which I keep updates.

Scott

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

I have a Gateway 700x desktop that's 4 years old and runs Win XP Pro
with SP1. I've installed all the Windows Updates along the way. I
run Zone Alarm, Counter Spy, and Nod32 (anti-virus), am on a Linksys
wireless home network, and I'm very security concious. My desktop runs
flawlessly. Is there any compelling reason why I should upgrade this
machine to SP2?

The reason I ask is that I tried to upgrade my original Geo-Force video
drivers some months back and got a blue screen. So I rolled back the
driver. All my other hardware drivers are up to date.

Any reason to mess with a well-running and reasonable secure system?

Thanks!
Scott

Yes, you should update to SP2.
Download (Save) the update or order the CD.
Disconnect from the Internet.
Disable all security software. (If you have Zone Alarm 6.5 temporarily
uninstall it.)
Install SP2.
Re-enable your security software.

 

[Charles Eaves]

I have the same machine but with xp home.
I ordered the sp2 cd from Microsoft and it installed without a problem.
It took about 45 minutes.
Disable all anti-virus/firewall and spyware programs.
re-enable those programs after sp2 is installed.
No problems with sp2.
Just a thought!

 

[POP]

Same here. SP2 installs pretty cleanly if one follows the
recommendations in place for it. It's blindly installing it that
messes most people up. Actually, in my personal experience, 100%
of people I've physically helped out.

Pop

 

[Scott]

I have the same machine but with xp home.
I ordered the sp2 cd from Microsoft and it installed without a problem.
It took about 45 minutes.
Disable all anti-virus/firewall and spyware programs.
re-enable those programs after sp2 is installed.
No problems with sp2.
Just a thought!

Charles,

Thanks! That's very encouraging. Maybe I'll try it.

Scott

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

No, I was not trying to say that at all. Simply tried to not shove the OP
towards a service pack update in case he had a problematic video driver.

 

[POP]

Ah, I see; actually, I can see your reasoning for that.

Pop`