How does installing SP2 from a CD differ from using Windows Update

[Guest]

Specifically, I have ordered and received the SP2 CD. When I go onto the MS
web site, it says that I must have about 1 GB of free space. Whew! However,
the download from Windows Update is only about 70 MB, implying far less disk
space would be required. But this would take about 4 hours to download over
my slooooow 56Kb modem connection.

So, my questions are:
- Does updating to SP2 from CD replace more stuff than using Windows Update?
- Will I really need 1 GB (yes, I have it, but don't want to waste it)?
- And, I guess the real kicker, do those who have experience recommend using
the CD or using Windows Update. Reasons why would be appreciated, too.

I have already applied critical updates, and Windows Update definitely shows
the next update will be SP2.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Specifically, I have ordered and received the SP2 CD. When I go onto
the MS web site, it says that I must have about 1 GB of free space.
Whew! However, the download from Windows Update is only about 70 MB,
implying far less disk space would be required.

It doesn't imply that at all. The download is delivered in compressed form,
and at least 1GB is required so that it has enough space to decompress after
download.

But this would take

about 4 hours to download over my slooooow 56Kb modem connection.

So, my questions are:
- Does updating to SP2 from CD replace more stuff than using Windows
Update?

The CD is the entire network download (around 250MB, IIRC), whilst Windows
Update determines what files need updating.

- Will I really need 1 GB (yes, I have it, but don't want to waste
it)?

Yes, you will (see above).

- And, I guess the real kicker, do those who have experience
recommend using the CD or using Windows Update. Reasons why would be
appreciated, too.

It makes absolutely no difference. You have dial-up, then you, obviously,
order the CD (though mine came with a magazine).

I have already applied critical updates, and Windows Update
definitely shows the next update will be SP2.

Then order the CD. I have half a dozen of them.

 

[Guest]

The full XP SP2 download is about 270Mb.

When you download from the website it may from as little as 70Mb, but
quickly grow.

The space requirement for installation wll take into account the size of:
1. the Installation Files as downloaded [can be on your C Drive or a second
hard drive]
2. The extracted install files [can be on your C Drive or a second hard drive]
3. The additional space on the C Drive taken up with the SP2 components
4. The backup files that will be required should you choose to uniistall SP2
and return to the previous configuration

Don't forget that you should always have at least 25% free space on your
hard drive to allow Defrag to work properly.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Specifically, I have ordered and received the SP2 CD. When I go onto the
MS
web site, it says that I must have about 1 GB of free space. Whew!
However,
the download from Windows Update is only about 70 MB, implying far less
disk
space would be required. But this would take about 4 hours to download
over
my slooooow 56Kb modem connection.

So, my questions are:
- Does updating to SP2 from CD replace more stuff than using Windows
Update?
- Will I really need 1 GB (yes, I have it, but don't want to waste it)?
- And, I guess the real kicker, do those who have experience recommend
using
the CD or using Windows Update. Reasons why would be appreciated, too.

I have already applied critical updates, and Windows Update definitely
shows
the next update will be SP2.

The end results are the same - you PC and all system files etc included in
SP2 are brought up to the latest files as shipped with SP2.

The only difference is that the Window Update site works out what you need
to have downloaded after the initial download of the detection program,
where-as the CD version does the detection as part of the install.

The end results are the same - a PC running Windows XP SP2.

Yes you should have at least a GB free as we need to uncompress lots of
files and also backup you existing files as part of the setup to allow you
the option of uninstalling it later.

It is only a GB - if you are this low on disk space, resolve this issue
first before you attempt to install SP2.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Specifically, I have ordered and received the SP2 CD. When I go onto the MS
web site, it says that I must have about 1 GB of free space. Whew! However,
the download from Windows Update is only about 70 MB, implying far less disk
space would be required. But this would take about 4 hours to download over
my slooooow 56Kb modem connection.

So, my questions are:
- Does updating to SP2 from CD replace more stuff than using Windows Update?
- Will I really need 1 GB (yes, I have it, but don't want to waste it)?
- And, I guess the real kicker, do those who have experience recommend using
the CD or using Windows Update. Reasons why would be appreciated, too.

I have already applied critical updates, and Windows Update definitely shows
the next update will be SP2.

Hi

I recommend that you use the CD to install SP2.

A lot of that GB free requirement is for temporary installation files.

For folders you can consider deleting and other disk cleanup tips
after a SP2 installation, take a look here:

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=#[email protected]


Before installing SP2, you should take a look at the
following sites:

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

How to successfully install Windows XP Service Pack 2.
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/winxpsp2install.htm

Service Pack Installation Checklist
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm


Please take a look at this Microsoft knowledge base article as well:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 is not available to install from Windows
Update and is not offered by Automatic Updates
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=885627

*Important* part from the link above:

If you have T.V. Media from Total Velocity Corporation installed, or
your processor is a Intel P4 Prescott with C-0 stepping, you should
not install SP2.

Intel P4 Prescott processors came out February 2004, so if your
computer is older than that, this is not an issue for you. Also, if
you have a Dell, IBM or HP, this is not an issue.

If you suspect/know you have an Intel P4 Prescott processor, take a
look at the two following Web sites for what you need to do/have to
be able to install SP2 on the computer:

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=7447
http://cquirke.mvps.org/sp2intel.htm

Newsflash:

Adware T.V. Media Program Removal Tool
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=886590

and

Microsoft have now released a fix for the problem where SP2 fails to
boot after installing it in a PC with the Prescott or a Celeron D CPU
(or fails to install in the case of slipstreamed cds). The problem is
described here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34535

and the download for the fix is available here (install it before you
install SP2):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...99-5d75-454f-ae07-b620727be8d8&DisplayLang=en


Also, if you have a Dell Dell Inspiron 1150 or 2650, you might get a
slow running system after installing SP2, take a look at this thread
for more on this:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]