Update SP1 before installing SP2?

[Terry Pinnell]

At http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx I read
"Before you install SP2, get your version of Windows completely
up-to-date with the latest performance and security updates. Go to the
Microsoft Update, click Express Install, and then install all high
priority updates listed."

Is that absolutely essential please? Because I'm in a sort of Catch 22
situation here.

On my wife's new PC which we ordered without an OS, I've run her old
XP SP1 CD, successfully installing a raw version of XP Home SP1. But
before proceeding with adding her broadband and all the many other
applications she had running on her old PC under XP SP2, I want to get
back to the familiar look of her old desktop etc. To do that I used
the File & Transfer Wizard. But the new PC doesn't recognise the
settings I've copied across, i.e. the wizard won't run on the new PC.
I'm *guessing* this is because it's on SP1 and the settings were saved
on SP2. So I've downloaded the full 266 MB SP2 update EXE (on my own
PC), copied it across to the new PC, and am now hesitating about
running it.

Any advice urgently appreciated please.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Terry

Installing SP2 first for XP is a very good idea or should I say is necessary. Go ahead and install the SP2 .

 

[Streaming]

At http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx I read
"Before you install SP2, get your version of Windows completely
up-to-date with the latest performance and security updates. Go to the
Microsoft Update, click Express Install, and then install all high
priority updates listed."

Of course it's essential, just relative to the following where you
"want to get back to the familiar look of old desktop" and you
then say "new PC won't recognise the settings" - though no detail?
So it could be anything from graphics drivers, to patches, to simply
you want settings that are only available under SP2 but the PC
has to be patched with all high priority updates before SP2 is
installed. And the MS site guides you on all of that.
And doing as instructed is the safest option as once it is ready
then windows update will auto detect it is and download and
install SP2 to a setup that the scan deems is prepared, rather
than you doing it fingers crossed from a download.

 

[Alias]

False. Install the SP2 first and then get the updates. I've done it on
dozens of computers with outstanding results. Even though this is from
an MS site, SP2 includes all the updates from the release of SP1 to the
release of SP2 so I don't understand their guidance.


Go to the
You should *never* use Express Install unless you want WGA/N, IE7 and
other flawed crap.

Alias

 

[Alias]

At http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx I read
"Before you install SP2, get your version of Windows completely
up-to-date with the latest performance and security updates. Go to the
Microsoft Update, click Express Install, and then install all high
priority updates listed."

Is that absolutely essential please? Because I'm in a sort of Catch 22
situation here.

On my wife's new PC which we ordered without an OS, I've run her old
XP SP1 CD, successfully installing a raw version of XP Home SP1. But
before proceeding with adding her broadband and all the many other
applications she had running on her old PC under XP SP2, I want to get
back to the familiar look of her old desktop etc. To do that I used
the File & Transfer Wizard. But the new PC doesn't recognise the
settings I've copied across, i.e. the wizard won't run on the new PC.
I'm *guessing* this is because it's on SP1 and the settings were saved
on SP2. So I've downloaded the full 266 MB SP2 update EXE (on my own
PC), copied it across to the new PC, and am now hesitating about
running it.

Any advice urgently appreciated please.

Install SP2 first but do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag first and do a clean
up/chkdsk/defrag after installing SP2. Then install the MB drivers, NIC,
sound and video. Then your programs. Then your anti virus/anti malware
programs and, finally, your devices like the printer, scanner, camera,
etc. Finally, do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag again. I would wait a couple
of weeks before activating to make sure that your install is OK.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Install SP2 first but do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag first and do a clean
up/chkdsk/defrag after installing SP2. Then install the MB drivers, NIC,
sound and video. Then your programs. Then your anti virus/anti malware
programs and, finally, your devices like the printer, scanner, camera,
etc. Finally, do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag again. I would wait a couple
of weeks before activating to make sure that your install is OK.

Alias

Forgot to mention that you need to get the updates after installing SP2.
Use Auto Update and configure it to download but let YOU decide what to
install. Once they're downloaded, use the custom install and be sure NOT
to install WGA or IE7.

Alias

 

[Keith]

Forgot to mention that you need to get the updates after installing
SP2. Use Auto Update and configure it to download but let YOU decide
what to install. Once they're downloaded, use the custom install and
be sure NOT to install WGA or IE7.

Alias

Wot's rong wiv IE7 ?

 

[Alias]

Wot's rong wiv IE7 ?

It causes problems and is not necessary for *anything*.

Alias

 

[Keith]

It causes problems and is not necessary for *anything*.

Alias

Works fine here , better than IE6

 

[Alias]

Works fine here , better than IE6

That doesn't mean it works fine for everyone, especially if you use
Outlook and, again, it's not necessary for *anything*.

Alias

 

[Poprivet]

At http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx I read
"Before you install SP2, get your version of Windows completely
up-to-date with the latest performance and security updates. Go to the
Microsoft Update, click Express Install, and then install all high
priority updates listed."

Short answer: Just install SP2; forget the rest.

NOT necessary to install all that before installing SP2. SP2 includes ALL
of the SP1 and ALL of the hotfixes since SP1 up to SP2.

AFTER you install SP2, then let the rest of the updates install.

Is that absolutely essential please? Because I'm in a sort of Catch 22
situation here.

No, it's not essential. SP2 however is very important, so install SP2 and
THEN get the rest of hte hotfixes.

HTH
Pop`

 

[Poprivet]

It causes problems and is not necessary for *anything*.

Alias

IE7 does NOT cause problems on a clean, properly functioning machine, as
evidenced by millions of installs to date. It also includes some niceties I
really like. YOU ARE WRONG and shouldn't foist your opinions from a
minority onto the masses at every opportunity.
IT's not our fault you cannot read.

 

[Poprivet]

That doesn't mean it works fine for everyone, especially if you use
Outlook and, again, it's not necessary for *anything*.

Alias

WRONG. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING has some problems at some time. You are a
very small minority amongst millions who have successfully and enjoyably
installed and used IE7. IME it's a positive step forward.

 

[Alias]

WRONG. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING has some problems at some time. You are a
very small minority amongst millions who have successfully and enjoyably
installed and used IE7. IME it's a positive step forward.

You're wrong.

Now what?

Alias

 

[WhzzKdd]

At http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx I read

I used
the File & Transfer Wizard. But the new PC doesn't recognise the
settings I've copied across, i.e. the wizard won't run on the new PC.
I'm *guessing* this is because it's on SP1 and the settings were saved
on SP2.

I believe you are correct. And it may not be just the SP2, but there is a
later update for FAST that allows compatibility between 32 bit and 64 bit
Windows. If that was installed, you'll have to have it back on the PC before
you can access the data. BUT try the SP2 FAST first before adding that
latest update.

 

[Terry Pinnell]

False. Install the SP2 first and then get the updates. I've done it on
dozens of computers with outstanding results. Even though this is from
an MS site, SP2 includes all the updates from the release of SP1 to the
release of SP2 so I don't understand their guidance.


Go to the

You should *never* use Express Install unless you want WGA/N, IE7 and
other flawed crap.

Alias

Thanks, that proved sound advice. A little after posting I came across
a non-MS thread that effectively said the same, i.e. SP2 already
includes all SP1 updates. So I'm glad I ignored the MS article!

I also agree entirely with you about Custom v Express. Although in
this instance the only exception we made was to exclude IE7. (Last
time WU inadvertently installed it on her PC, it gave a variety of
problems, and no apparent benefits over IE6.)

So all that SP2 upgrade part of the exercise went OK. But it didn't
fix the issue that I mentioned at the outset. When run on the new PC
the Wizard refused to recognise the compressed files it had made on
the old PC. (Something like "Location contains no valid files...").

I tried this using both an external HD and a 1 GB memory stick. I
tried Files & Settings and then just on the Settings Only option. No
joy with any of these.

I'm pressing on manually now (just cracked the Outlook Express bit,
for example), but for future reference and academic interest can
anyone suggest why this failed please?

 

[Terry Pinnell]

I believe you are correct. And it may not be just the SP2, but there is a
later update for FAST that allows compatibility between 32 bit and 64 bit
Windows. If that was installed, you'll have to have it back on the PC before
you can access the data. BUT try the SP2 FAST first before adding that
latest update.

Thanks for the various helpful follow-ups.

WhzzKdd: as you may have seen from my reply just now to Alias, I had
no joy with FAST (thanks for the acronym!) and am keen to get to the
bottom of why. Not sure I grasp this 32/64 distinction. Didn't even
know there *was* a '64 bit Windows'. When would I encounter that, or
want it? In this case, I used her 4-year old XP Home CD, then used the
266 MB SP2 WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe (which I downloaded on my
own PC).

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Thanks for the various helpful follow-ups.

WhzzKdd: as you may have seen from my reply just now to Alias, I had
no joy with FAST (thanks for the acronym!) and am keen to get to the
bottom of why. Not sure I grasp this 32/64 distinction. Didn't even
know there *was* a '64 bit Windows'. When would I encounter that, or
want it? In this case, I used her 4-year old XP Home CD, then used the
266 MB SP2 WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe (which I downloaded on my
own PC).

For clarification, guess I should paste this here from my cross-post:
---------

False. Install the SP2 first and then get the updates. I've done it on
dozens of computers with outstanding results. Even though this is from
an MS site, SP2 includes all the updates from the release of SP1 to the
release of SP2 so I don't understand their guidance.


Go to the

You should *never* use Express Install unless you want WGA/N, IE7 and
other flawed crap.

Alias

Thanks, that proved sound advice. A little after posting I came across
a non-MS thread that effectively said the same, i.e. SP2 already
includes all SP1 updates. So I'm glad I ignored the MS article!

I also agree entirely with you about Custom v Express. Although in
this instance the only exception we made was to exclude IE7. (Last
time WU inadvertently installed it on her PC, it gave a variety of
problems, and no apparent benefits over IE6.)

So all that SP2 upgrade part of the exercise went OK. But it didn't
fix the issue that I mentioned at the outset. When run on the new PC
the Wizard refused to recognise the compressed files it had made on
the old PC. (Something like "Location contains no valid files...").

I tried this using both an external HD and a 1 GB memory stick. I
tried Files & Settings and then just on the Settings Only option. No
joy with any of these.

I'm pressing on manually now (just cracked the Outlook Express bit,
for example), but for future reference and academic interest can
anyone suggest why this failed please?

 

[Ron Martell]

At http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx I read
"Before you install SP2, get your version of Windows completely
up-to-date with the latest performance and security updates. Go to the
Microsoft Update, click Express Install, and then install all high
priority updates listed."

That paragraph contradicts everything that I have ever been told about
Service Pack 2 by Microsoft, and I would suggest that you disregard
it.

Is that absolutely essential please? Because I'm in a sort of Catch 22
situation here.

On my wife's new PC which we ordered without an OS, I've run her old
XP SP1 CD, successfully installing a raw version of XP Home SP1. But
before proceeding with adding her broadband and all the many other
applications she had running on her old PC under XP SP2, I want to get
back to the familiar look of her old desktop etc. To do that I used
the File & Transfer Wizard. But the new PC doesn't recognise the
settings I've copied across, i.e. the wizard won't run on the new PC.
I'm *guessing* this is because it's on SP1 and the settings were saved
on SP2. So I've downloaded the full 266 MB SP2 update EXE (on my own
PC), copied it across to the new PC, and am now hesitating about
running it.

Any advice urgently appreciated please.

If you have the complete SP2 download then I suggest you just install
that. SP2 is a complete package and includes all critical updates
from the original release of Windows XP up to the date of SP2.

Of course once you have installed SP2 then you still need to go to
Windows update because there are a tremendous number of updates that
are post-SP2 which you also need to get installed.

And before you install SP2 you might want to look at the following web
site:
Service Pack Installation Checklist
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Alias]

Thanks, that proved sound advice. A little after posting I came across
a non-MS thread that effectively said the same, i.e. SP2 already
includes all SP1 updates. So I'm glad I ignored the MS article!

I also agree entirely with you about Custom v Express. Although in
this instance the only exception we made was to exclude IE7. (Last
time WU inadvertently installed it on her PC, it gave a variety of
problems, and no apparent benefits over IE6.)

Outlook has a big problem with IE7 if you use HTML in Outlook. IE7 makes
typing really slow and very, very frustrating. Personally, I only use
IE6 for Windows Updates and do all my Internet surfing with Ubuntu Linux
on another machine, being as there isn't one single Linux virus in the
wild. Not one.

So all that SP2 upgrade part of the exercise went OK. But it didn't
fix the issue that I mentioned at the outset. When run on the new PC
the Wizard refused to recognise the compressed files it had made on
the old PC. (Something like "Location contains no valid files...").

I tried this using both an external HD and a 1 GB memory stick. I
tried Files & Settings and then just on the Settings Only option. No
joy with any of these.

I'm pressing on manually now (just cracked the Outlook Express bit,
for example), but for future reference and academic interest can
anyone suggest why this failed please?

Sorry, I have never used FAST. I just back up the data on an external HD
and after reinstalling XP, put the data back. I manually configure
settings which really doesn't take that long and may even be less time
that you've spent fighting with FAST.

Alias