Fearful of SP2

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ann B.
  • Start date Start date
A

Ann B.

I have automatic updates turned on but not automatic install. So SP2
downloaded but is not installed yet, even though it keeps wanting to
be installed - I just x out.

Have been advised not to install it because of al the problems, so I
don't want it on my system yet. Question - I don't know how to get
rid of it so it doesn't keep asking to be installed.

Any suggestions for getting the unistalled download off my computer
without harming other Windows components?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.
 
-----Original Message-----
I have automatic updates turned on but not automatic install. So SP2
downloaded but is not installed yet, even though it keeps wanting to
be installed - I just x out.

Have been advised not to install it because of al the problems, so I
don't want it on my system yet. Question - I don't know how to get
rid of it so it doesn't keep asking to be installed.

Any suggestions for getting the unistalled download off my computer
without harming other Windows components?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.
.
Hi. I had a bad experience with sp2. Did have to
Click to expand...
unistall through add/remove programs but didn't take care
of it all. If you did not run the sp2 and just loaded it
on desktop, delete it. And/or go to
Start,Settings,control panel,System,Automatic Updates,
and select the option to "download updates but let me
decide what to install" (that isn't exactly what it
says) when it comes up again click not to be reminded of
this update if it wants you to install SP again.
 
SP2 what to remove to not install
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/showarticle.aspx?articleid=11&ln=en

Delete: DataStore & Download

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download
-----

Temporarily Disabling Delivery of Windows XP Service Pack 2 Through Windows
Update and Automatic Updates
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx

Toolkit to Temporarily Block Delivery of Windows XP SP2 to a PC Through
Automatic Updates and Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BA-EA5D-4425-89C1-C1CB1CCD463C&displaylang=en

FAQ Temporarily Blocking Windows XP SP2 delivery through Windows Update and
Automatic Updates
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumngfaq.mspx
 
Any suggestions for getting the unistalled download off my computer
without harming other Windows components?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Click to expand...


Service Pack 2 has now probably been installed millions of computers (if not
tens of millions), most (99%) without problem.

Unless you're aware of a specific problem with software you use you should
install it.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
http://windows.dasmirnov.net/ Windows XP Resource Site.

*Replace nospam with smirnov to reply by e-mail*
 
Service Pack 2 has now probably been installed millions of computers (if not
tens of millions), most (99%) without problem.

Unless you're aware of a specific problem with software you use you should
install it.
Click to expand...

I, along with all other members of the NYPC club, a prestigious
computer user group were advised by the club prisident not to install
SP2 until it is fleshed out as there are too many issues with it.
I've been a member of the club for 15 years and never saw such advice
given before, so I pay attention to it.

Since MS doesn't give live tech support for problems encountered when
you load their service packs, I am afraid to risk it. If my computer
starts limping, how am I supposed to get help to fix it?
Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.
 
Testy said:
Stop making things up! What is your reliable source for your 99% lie.
Click to expand...

My source is my own experience.

I provided recommendations and assisted in upgrading 372 machines on a
network with SP2 when Microsoft released the network install, not one
problem.

I've personally installed it on around 10 machines, then there's about 30 or
so more of my friend's machines again no issues.

So that's actually 100% so I am sorry for my mistake.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
http://windows.dasmirnov.net/ Windows XP Resource Site.

*Replace nospam with smirnov to reply by e-mail*
 
I, along with all other members of the NYPC club, a prestigious
computer user group were advised by the club prisident not to install
SP2 until it is fleshed out as there are too many issues with it.
I've been a member of the club for 15 years and never saw such advice
given before, so I pay attention to it.
Click to expand...

Did he actually mention what the issues were with it? I've been running
SP2, way back when it was in beta for months now, it's the most widely
tested Microsoft product ever, all of the stuff gone on that I'm aware of is
the usual anti-Microsoft scare-mongering by the media.

The only "issues" I've come across is the firewall asking for permission for
say a game the first time you run it since SP2 to use a network, which is a
pain if the game is already running as you have to alt-tab out. Which is
perfectly work around-able and isn't really an issue at all as all firewalls
do this.
Since MS doesn't give live tech support for problems encountered when
you load their service packs, I am afraid to risk it. If my computer
starts limping, how am I supposed to get help to fix it?
Click to expand...

If you've got a proper retail boxed Microsoft product then live phone and
e-mail support is included with that. If you use OEM then it's down to the
vender.

Loads of people, myself including hang out night and day on these groups and
do nothing but provide support, feel free to use us if you've got any
issues.

SP2 is a "critical" update - the risks of not running it are far greater
then those of something going wrong when installing it.

This might be an interesting read
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
http://windows.dasmirnov.net/ Windows XP Resource Site.

*Replace nospam with smirnov to reply by e-mail*
 
In
Ann B. said:
I, along with all other members of the NYPC club, a prestigious
computer user group were advised by the club prisident not to
install
SP2 until it is fleshed out as there are too many issues with
it.
I've been a member of the club for 15 years and never saw such
advice
given before, so I pay attention to it.
Click to expand...


The President of NYPC is an individual who, like other
individuals, has his own opinions. Undoubtedly he's human like
the rest of us, so some of his opinions are right and some of
them are wrong. Opinions should be evaluated on the basis of
their merit, not on who holds the opinions.

Until three months when my term expired, I too was President of
one of the larger PC User Groups in the USA. My advice is the
opposite of his: most people *should* install SP2.

But much more important than who is President of what, or who
makes any recommendation, is what's behind the recommendation.
I've personally installed SP2 on many machines and I've spoken
with many others who have done the same, or installed it on their
own machines. I've never seen a problem with it, and with very
rare exceptions, none of the others has either.

Whenever a new version of *anything* comes out, you always read
about people having problems." But realize two things:

1. If you're reading about problems *in the newsgroup*, this is
where people come with their problems, not with their successes.
You get a very distorted view of what's going on in the real
world here; as someone once said, "hang around a transmission
shop and you will think that all cars have transmission
problems."

2. Most problems, by far, that people report--whether or not they
are SP2-related--have nothing to do with defects in the software.
They result from people's ignorance, from bad or inadequate
hardware, from old drivers, from viruses, from spyware, and so
on. And except for very rare situations, they always get a fix
for their problems, and in most cases, that fix is a very simple
one to implement.
 
Did he actually mention what the issues were with it? I've been running
SP2, way back when it was in beta for months now, it's the most widely
tested Microsoft product ever, all of the stuff gone on that I'm aware of is
the usual anti-Microsoft scare-mongering by the media.

The only "issues" I've come across is the firewall asking for permission for
say a game the first time you run it since SP2 to use a network, which is a
pain if the game is already running as you have to alt-tab out. Which is
perfectly work around-able and isn't really an issue at all as all firewalls
do this.


If you've got a proper retail boxed Microsoft product then live phone and
e-mail support is included with that. If you use OEM then it's down to the
vender.

Loads of people, myself including hang out night and day on these groups and
do nothing but provide support, feel free to use us if you've got any
issues.

SP2 is a "critical" update - the risks of not running it are far greater
then those of something going wrong when installing it.

This might be an interesting read
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx
Click to expand...

Thanks, Paul. They didn't say whatthe specific issues were, just that
there were many. Again, they are are very reputable and esteemed
among software/ hardware vendors in the US. So of course I'm wary
about installing. Questions:
1) If I already run a firewall (ZoneAlarm) that works well, what will
SP2 give me in addition?
2) Will I need to remove ZA?
3) Will I need to re-enter all the web addresses that I want to pass
through the SP2 fire wall? (already stored in ZA)
4) I don't use MS Outlook for email. I assume lots of code in SP2 is
designed to protect Outlook. If I don't use it, do I still gain any
benefit?

Thanks much for your advice.
Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.
 
In


The President of NYPC is an individual who, like other
individuals, has his own opinions. Undoubtedly he's human like
the rest of us, so some of his opinions are right and some of
them are wrong. Opinions should be evaluated on the basis of
their merit, not on who holds the opinions.

Until three months when my term expired, I too was President of
one of the larger PC User Groups in the USA. My advice is the
opposite of his: most people *should* install SP2.

But much more important than who is President of what, or who
makes any recommendation, is what's behind the recommendation.
I've personally installed SP2 on many machines and I've spoken
with many others who have done the same, or installed it on their
own machines. I've never seen a problem with it, and with very
rare exceptions, none of the others has either.

Whenever a new version of *anything* comes out, you always read
about people having problems." But realize two things:

1. If you're reading about problems *in the newsgroup*, this is
where people come with their problems, not with their successes.
You get a very distorted view of what's going on in the real
world here; as someone once said, "hang around a transmission
shop and you will think that all cars have transmission
problems."
Click to expand...
True, but something can be inferred from the number of postings
complaining of problems. There have been many more regarding SP2 than
I'm awaree of with other products. You can't just disregard these
complaints because they're in a newsgroup. Also, complaints about
this SP have appearing in other sources as well: newspapers,
technical papers, magazines, and word of mouth. So whereas there
probably are many installations without problems, it sounds to me like
there are also many with such problems. I just want to be sure what
I'm doing before I wind up spending days trying to put my system back
together if something goes wrong. I've had these experiences in the
past and it's no fun!
2. Most problems, by far, that people report--whether or not they
are SP2-related--have nothing to do with defects in the software.
They result from people's ignorance, from bad or inadequate
hardware, from old drivers, from viruses, from spyware, and so
on. And except for very rare situations, they always get a fix
for their problems, and in most cases, that fix is a very simple
one to implement.
Click to expand...
Yes, but after how much trouble? I've had to scratch my PC in the
past and reload everything - a task that took 2 weeks to get to the
point I was before the problem. Don't want that to happen again if it
can be avoided.
Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.
 
So you did make it up! My experience is totally the opposite with over 450
machines.

Testy
 
Thanks, Paul. They didn't say whatthe specific issues were, just that
there were many. Again, they are are very reputable and esteemed
among software/ hardware vendors in the US. So of course I'm wary
about installing. Questions:
Click to expand...
1) If I already run a firewall (ZoneAlarm) that works well, what will
SP2 give me in addition?
Click to expand...

The Windows Firewall will protect the machine while it's booting too.

I did a preview of SP2 back in April, most of the core improvements are
there
http://windows.dasmirnov.net/articles/sp2preview.php but it does also have
preventatives to stop buffer-under-runs which is a common source of hacking
if you've got a CPU that supports it.

Many people have reported it being a lot "snappier" a little bit faster then
pre-SP2.
2) Will I need to remove ZA?
Click to expand...

I'd recommend you disable while installing, and any anti-virus software and
that you're running the latest versions.
3) Will I need to re-enter all the web addresses that I want to pass
through the SP2 fire wall? (already stored in ZA)
Click to expand...

You can disable the Windows Firewall (it does still protect during boot) and
just use ZA as you were doing before.
4) I don't use MS Outlook for email. I assume lots of code in SP2 is
designed to protect Outlook. If I don't use it, do I still gain any
benefit?
Click to expand...

The code (5 million odd lines have been updated so it is huge) is really to
protect the whole OS, OE now has a few extra settings, and it's bolted down
more securely. SP2 contains updates against the newly emerged problem in
GDI with handling JPEGs (a virus can be exed just by viewing a picture
pre-SP2 for example).

There's really way too much new stuff to list. 8-)

A few pages covering security and the new changes it from MS
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/ieoeoverview.mspx

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
http://windows.dasmirnov.net/ Windows XP Resource Site.

*Replace nospam with smirnov to reply by e-mail*
 
Ann said:
I, along with all other members of the NYPC club, a prestigious
computer user group were advised by the club prisident not to install
SP2 until it is fleshed out as there are too many issues with it.
I've been a member of the club for 15 years and never saw such advice
given before, so I pay attention to it.
Click to expand...

This is ridiculous advice. SP2 will not be "fleshed out". If proper
preparations are taken - which preparations should *always* be taken
when making *any* change relating to *any* operating system - there
should be no problem installing SP2. I've installed SP2 on close to 150
machines now (all varying mftrs., desktops and laptops) and have been
successful on all of them. Other regular posters have installed SP2 on
far more machines than I have. The key is proper preparation.
Since MS doesn't give live tech support for problems encountered when
you load their service packs, I am afraid to risk it. If my computer
starts limping, how am I supposed to get help to fix it?
Click to expand...

Actually, there is plenty of free support for SP2:

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

Visiting a Service Center to Get SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/ballew_04sept20.mspx

And of course, since you are a member of a computer club, you must know
how to research using the Internet. If your personal computer is an OEM
box, then your first step is the OEM's website. Additionally, here are
some links to help you with SP2:

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2

http://forum.aumha.org/index.php - See SP2 forums

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm and
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#General

Order XPSP2 cd
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

For end users
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

More technical
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

How to slipstream sp2 into XP
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49
http://www.windows-help.net/windowsxp/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html

SP2 links to OEMs
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

Device drivers known to cause instability in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=883775&product=windowsxpsp2

HTH,

Malke
 
In
Ann B. said:
Questions:
1) If I already run a firewall (ZoneAlarm) that works well,
what will
SP2 give me in addition?
Click to expand...


Nothing. In fact ZA is the better firewall (since it monitors
outbound accesses, which the Windows firewall doesn't), and you
should continue using it and turn off the Windows firewall.

2) Will I need to remove ZA?
Click to expand...


No. See above.

3) Will I need to re-enter all the web addresses that I want
to pass
through the SP2 fire wall? (already stored in ZA)
Click to expand...


No. See above.

4) I don't use MS Outlook for email. I assume lots of code in
SP2 is
designed to protect Outlook. If I don't use it, do I still
gain any
benefit?
Click to expand...


The are millions of lines of changed code in SP2. Only some those
fixes and improvements are oriented toward the highly-publicized
things--Security Center, firewall improvements, pop-up blocker,
etc. If you don't install it, you don't get the benefit of those
many changes.
 
In
Ann B. said:
On Sun, 3 Oct 2004 10:04:55 -0700, "Ken Blake"

True, but something can be inferred from the number of postings
complaining of problems. There have been many more regarding
SP2 than
I'm awaree of with other products.
Click to expand...


That's because it's new. Anything that's new results in people
not knowing how to use, making mistakes in its use, etc. You seem
the same kind of flurry of messages about everything new that
comes out; that doesn't mean it's no good.

You can't just disregard these
complaints because they're in a newsgroup. Also, complaints
about
this SP have appearing in other sources as well: newspapers,
technical papers, magazines, and word of mouth.
Click to expand...


Newspapers and magazines *love* to print complaints. That's how
they sell their products.

So whereas there
probably are many installations without problems, it sounds to
me like
there are also many with such problems. I just want to be sure
what
I'm doing before I wind up spending days trying to put my
system back
together if something goes wrong. I've had these experiences
in the
past and it's no fun!
Click to expand...


Understood. And ultimately, no matter what I or anyone else,
says, it's your choice. I can't make you install it, nor do I
want to. I can only try to give you information that can help in
your decision.

Yes, but after how much trouble?
Click to expand...


Usually very little.

I've had to scratch my PC in the
past and reload everything - a task that took 2 weeks to get to
the
point I was before the problem. Don't want that to happen
again if it
can be avoided.
Click to expand...


Again, understood. I, of course, can't make you any promises. All
I can say is that the risk of that occurring with SP2, if you
take the proper precautions before installing it, is extremely
slight.
 
A fascinating read through this thread. I was a bit like Anne. Hesitant to
install SP2 but only because what I'd read on various NGs. I haven't
installed SP2 on hundreds of PCs like some of you,only on one. My own self
built PC. I realised I dont have anything like the problems others do with
their PCs ( not just SP2 related) not sure why that should be. Maybe because
its self built or maybe I keep it well maintained & free of "crap" for want
of a better word. So I went ahead & allowed Windows Update to install SP2. I
needn't have worried. It was quick via my broadband connection & went
without a hitch. I have a few niggles with my PC but I doubt they're SP2
related & in any case it doesn't prevent me using the PC as I did prior to
installing SP2. My advice to Anne is go ahead & install it. But it is your
choice.

Tony P
 
90+, 100% success. All this fear, brings up an interesting point. It
exposes the vulnerability with PC users not having adequate backup.
If users would get an Imaging program and take 1-hour to backup
their PC and verify the image - There is virtually no risk in installing
SP2. The side benefit is that they will have protected their XP install
and personal data.
Instead of being fearful, be protected both by an Image and SP2.
 
Just install it. You can't expect to continue using windows XP without
eventually upgrading. Any future updates will be based on having SP2
installed. Do it, it's painless.
Do not ask for email responses. Newsgroups are for everyone's benefit. A
answer to your question via email benefits no one but you and that's not
what newsgroups are about.

I have automatic updates turned on but not automatic install. So SP2
downloaded but is not installed yet, even though it keeps wanting to
be installed - I just x out.

Have been advised not to install it because of al the problems, so I
don't want it on my system yet. Question - I don't know how to get
rid of it so it doesn't keep asking to be installed.

Any suggestions for getting the unistalled download off my computer
without harming other Windows components?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.
 
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