I think I wil wait on sp2

[Guest]

Hi I have been reading alot on sp2
I order the cd and then reading everything
you should do to get ready I don't know if
I would like to mess with things I don't know
how to.I always do a once a week check for
updates. now I am stuck with the express install
window. I think I will wait awhile before loading
it. As with sp1 I order the cd put it in and that
was that no trouble. I have been reading to much
about sp2 to mess with it right now I think I will
wait to see if they fix it first.
Don't know what to do!!!!!
(have all updates sp1) winxp

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

SP2 is a solid, secure release. It is a major "Critical Update"
for Windows XP and updates about 5 million lines of code,
enabling much stronger security, stability, and affords a tad better
performance benefit. SP2 was extensively tested on hundreds of
thousands of various computer configurations over a period of
many, many months. The final release of SP2 is fine and you should
not have problems installing it. There will be no future version of
SP2 as the core files will not change. If future updates are required,
the "Hotfixes" for SP2 will be available via Windows Update.

You may wish to view the following:

Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx

List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811113&Product=windowsxpsp2

Learn About Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx

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

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Installation Package (Direct Download):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

I would suggest performing the following maintenance prior to
installing SP2:

Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312&Product=winxp

How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp

After installing SP2, run the above maintenance utilities again, then perform a Defrag:

HOW TO: Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305781&Product=winxp

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Checklist
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Jupiter Jones]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi I have been reading alot on sp2
| I order the cd and then reading everything
| you should do to get ready I don't know if
| I would like to mess with things I don't know
| how to.I always do a once a week check for
| updates. now I am stuck with the express install
| window. I think I will wait awhile before loading
| it. As with sp1 I order the cd put it in and that
| was that no trouble. I have been reading to much
| about sp2 to mess with it right now I think I will
| wait to see if they fix it first.
| Don't know what to do!!!!!
| (have all updates sp1) winxp

 

[Jack]

Sure???

If it's soooo good why do you feel the need to offer a sales pitch followed
by a list of 9 how-to articles?

A techTV poll showed 43% of those polled had sp2 'screw up' their computers
with another 23% indicating they were 'afraid' to try it.

I'm sure you'll attempt to debunk the source as being 'unusual' users in
that they are nerdy, geek types that don't keep their systems well
maintained.

I'll go with the thought that when a company like Microsoft puts out a
release, as major as sp2 should be, we shouldn't have to make our systems
(systems that are working just fine using XP sans sp2) conform to some long
list of changes in order for the upgrade to function properly.

If a system is functioning just fine under XP, and Microsoft comes along
with an upgrade that conflicts with that system, I suggest that they have an
upgrade that conflicts with their very own operating system - NOT with how I
use that OS. If the OS accepts how a system is set up and used, the upgrade
should also. The many pages of 'how to' articles that are available should
be plenty enough to cause potential users to at least ask why!

" . . . tested on hundreds of thousands . . . " SO what? It appears the
testing resulted not in a good product but in the list of cures, fixes, work
arounds, how to articles and talking points for their pitch men.

SP2 is a solid, secure release. It is a major "Critical Update"
for Windows XP and updates about 5 million lines of code,
enabling much stronger security, stability, and affords a tad better
performance benefit. SP2 was extensively tested on hundreds of
thousands of various computer configurations over a period of
many, many months. The final release of SP2 is fine and you should
not have problems installing it. There will be no future version of
SP2 as the core files will not change. If future updates are required,
the "Hotfixes" for SP2 will be available via Windows Update.

You may wish to view the following:

Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx

List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811113&Product=windowsxpsp2

Learn About Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx

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

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Installation Package (Direct Download):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

I would suggest performing the following maintenance prior to
installing SP2:

Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312&Product=winxp

How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp

After installing SP2, run the above maintenance utilities again, then perform a Defrag:

HOW TO: Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305781&Product=winxp

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Checklist
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Jupiter Jones]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi I have been reading alot on sp2
| I order the cd and then reading everything
| you should do to get ready I don't know if
| I would like to mess with things I don't know
| how to.I always do a once a week check for
| updates. now I am stuck with the express install
| window. I think I will wait awhile before loading
| it. As with sp1 I order the cd put it in and that
| was that no trouble. I have been reading to much
| about sp2 to mess with it right now I think I will
| wait to see if they fix it first.
| Don't know what to do!!!!!
| (have all updates sp1) winxp

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----
SP2 is a solid, secure release. It is a major "Critical Update"
for Windows XP and updates about 5 million lines of code,
enabling much stronger security, stability, and affords a tad better
performance benefit. SP2 was extensively tested on hundreds of
thousands of various computer configurations over a period of
many, many months. The final release of SP2 is fine and you should
not have problems installing it. There will be no future version of
SP2 as the core files will not change. If future updates are required,
the "Hotfixes" for SP2 will be available via Windows Update.

Please tell the group:

1) If a user's system has all pre-SP2 patches, and the
user has a functioning firewall and regularly updated
AV protection and does regular scans for other spyware
and malware using regularly updated software, and has
no physical disk problems, how will SP2 help in
"enabling stronger security"? (The so-called "Security
Center" doesn't qualify as an answer.)

2) Given all of the preconditions cited in #1, how will
SP2 provide "much stronger...stability" to a system
that has never had stability issues to begin with?
Please be specific in your answer.

3) Define in specific terms the "tad bit performance
benefit" you refer to. Note: "My system seems slightly
faster" is not a good answer to this question.

I await your reply.

 

[Barry Oakley]

SP2 is a solid, secure release. It is a major "Critical Update" for
Windows XP and updates about 5 million lines of code, enabling much
stronger security, stability, and affords a tad better performance
benefit. SP2 was extensively tested on hundreds of thousands of various
computer configurations over a period of many, many months. The final
release of SP2 is fine and you should not have problems installing it.
There will be no future version of SP2 as the core files will not
change. If future updates are required, the "Hotfixes" for SP2 will be
available via Windows Update.

I keep reading this type of thing and I have to tell you that is not my
experience.

I have tried to install SP2 twice.

The first time - I just installed it! I got the same problems I will
describe later. And I uninstalled it.

On Saturday I got the 'official' CD from MS, and following my reading of
all the links, I spent some time preparing the machine.

I uninstalled the Kerio firewall,
I uninstalled the AVG anti-virus,
I uninstalled Web Patrol, ad-Watch and any other sypware stuff I was
running.
I cleaned the temp files, IE Temp files etc etc.
I closed and removed all the applications running in the system tray
I defraged the system disk.
Then I rebooted to make sure that all that stuff was gone, and
re-checked that the system tray was empty - it was (except for the
volume icon and the date/time)
I saved all my data files to DVD+RW
I unplugged the network link to the router.

Then I ran the SP2 update CD

It failed in *exactly* the same way as before.

When the system finally re-loaded I clicked START and nothing happened.
CTRL/Alt/Del worked fine, and Task Manager showed that the System Idle
Process was the most "active" process - so nothing apparently hogging
the processor. I clicked a desktop icon - nothing happened.

After about 2 mins, there was a burst of activity the START menu came
up, the programs I had clicked started running. I was just getting into
it, when everything froze again.

Again after 2 mins - another burst of activity - and a then a freeze -
this contuned until I got heartily sick, and I eventually managed to get
control panel up to run the remove.

I am running a 500 Mhz Pentium 3, 384Mb, 40Gb Disk with 28Gb free, XP
home SP1.

I have removed SP2 - and have restored my system to something close to
usability.

I have posted this sorry tale several times - but nobody seems
interested!
I have now created a slipstreamed CD - but am loathe to reformat and do
a clean install until I can make some sense of what has happened here.

 

[Demon]

I also upgraded to SP2 without any problems on two computers. I ran defrag,
virus checker and several adware programs prior to upgrading. Running good
since.
jd.

 

[Guest]

If it's soooo good why do you feel the need to offer a

sales pitch followed by a list of 9 how-to articles?

And another guy who responded to him asked for
information that is mostly contained in the articles he
linked. I guess you can't please everyone.

A techTV poll showed 43% of those polled had sp2 'screw
up' their computers with another 23% indicating
they were 'afraid' to try it.

Those aren't the results that currently appear and their
polls are intended for entertainment. I always like it
when the most amusing answer wins. Note that to indicate
a successful install, you needed to vote for: "No. I am
completely satisfied with this gift from the Microsoft
gods" Yeah like I would ever vote for that!

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----

And another guy who responded to him asked for
information that is mostly contained in the articles he
linked. I guess you can't please everyone.


Those aren't the results that currently appear and their
polls are intended for entertainment. I always like it
when the most amusing answer wins. Note that to indicate
a successful install, you needed to vote for: "No. I am
completely satisfied with this gift from the Microsoft
gods" Yeah like I would ever vote for that!

.

*None* of the questions I asked are answered in any of the
links that Carey posted. Prove me wrong. If you agree
with Carey's statements, *you* answer the three questions.

 

[Guest]

#1 was answered in great detail. Especially follow the
links deeper to the developer docs. That's where the
real meat is. Don't just read the glossy overviews.

#2 is tricky of course. You can improve overall OS
robustness and security but of course you carefully
worded your question as to how can you improve on
perfection. However, I've run Windows 95 systems that
have never crashed - but I still know that Windows XP is
more robust and stable system. It's the difference
between greater architectural robustness and careful
usage with a little luck.

#3 I didn't notice if #3 was covered but then again I
only said mostly.

 

[Jack]

I happen to be awaiting the answers myself.

*None* of the questions I asked are answered in any of the
links that Carey posted. Prove me wrong. If you agree
with Carey's statements, *you* answer the three questions.

 

[James]

*None* of the questions I asked are answered in any of the
links that Carey posted. Prove me wrong. If you agree
with Carey's statements, *you* answer the three questions.

Look... don't upgrade. End of story. Go be happy and stop your incessant
whining.

I updated my computer and my wife updated hers to SP 2 without so much
as a single hiccup. I've been running for three weeks now and she has
been running two and a half weeks. I might add that neither of us
uninstalled anything. We disabled our firewalls (ZA) and our AV (AVG)
but that was it. Period. We defragged before... we cleaned out our
cache... we scanned for spyware... in other words... we performed
reasonable maintenance on reasonably clean machines. Hey... can any box
be entirely clean? The end result is we each now have updated boxes with
ALL the critical updates and ALL the latest security measures added. AND
I will also add that her boot times are actually quicker. Mine are the
same as before the installation.

Now... you want this ... you demand that! Well... I say, go be happy
with your unupdated box and stop your belly-aching.

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----
#1 was answered in great detail. Especially follow the
links deeper to the developer docs. That's where the
real meat is. Don't just read the glossy overviews.

#2 is tricky of course. You can improve overall OS
robustness and security but of course you carefully
worded your question as to how can you improve on
perfection. However, I've run Windows 95 systems that
have never crashed - but I still know that Windows XP is
more robust and stable system. It's the difference
between greater architectural robustness and careful
usage with a little luck.

#3 I didn't notice if #3 was covered but then again I
only said mostly.
.

You haven't answered a gd thing. Give me *one* specific
reference that answers #1. As for #2 and #3, those are
Carey's claims and not Microsoft's as far as I know,
although he monitors these groups with the imprimatur of
MS. But you didn't answer them either. If a claim of
improved stability is made, then the person making the
claim should be able to back it up. As for the "tad bit" of
performance improvement, the only thing there's a tad bit
of is gray matter in Carey's cranium.

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----
I happen to be awaiting the answers myself.

Get good and comfortable and don't hold you breath.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

It is OK to wait, but to wait until "they fix it first" would be a
waste of time.
The SP-2 of today will be the same as SP-2 of next year.

While waiting you also need to research your specific hardware and
software for SP-2 compatibility issues:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

When ready, follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist.
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

 

[James]

Don't feed the troll, Folks.

You haven't answered a gd thing. Give me *one* specific
reference that answers #1. As for #2 and #3, those are
Carey's claims and not Microsoft's as far as I know,
although he monitors these groups with the imprimatur of
MS. But you didn't answer them either. If a claim of
improved stability is made, then the person making the
claim should be able to back it up. As for the "tad bit" of
performance improvement, the only thing there's a tad bit
of is gray matter in Carey's cranium.

 

[Guest]

You haven't answered a gd thing.

Did you read those documents? I printed them out so I
could read them at my leisure and printed two-up they
were still nearly two inches thick. If they're over your
head, you'll want to settle for the summary. I don't see
a need to attempt to re-summarize them to your
satisfaction since it's not even clear that you would be
an adequate judge of the quality of the summary.

the only thing there's a tad bit
of is gray matter in Carey's cranium.

I realize that you're mad at this person but I don't feel
any need to debate with a breakfast food over ad hominem
attacks on someone I don't even know. Goodbye.

 

[Wislu Plethora]

-----Original Message-----
It is OK to wait, but to wait until "they fix it first" would be a
waste of time.
The SP-2 of today will be the same as SP-2 of next year.

While waiting you also need to research your specific hardware and
software for SP-2 compatibility issues:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

When ready, follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist.
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

Which is not to say that there won't be patches
forthcoming, which patches could fix problems that might
be keeping people from installing to begin with.

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----

Did you read those documents? I printed them out so I
could read them at my leisure and printed two-up they
were still nearly two inches thick. If they're over your
head, you'll want to settle for the summary. I don't see
a need to attempt to re-summarize them to your
satisfaction since it's not even clear that you would be
an adequate judge of the quality of the summary.


I realize that you're mad at this person but I don't feel
any need to debate with a breakfast food over ad hominem
attacks on someone I don't even know. Goodbye.

Geez, I asked for *one* reference. I don't want you to
read the whole MS KB to me. But if after all of that
reading you can't come up with one (and neither has
Carey at this point) I rest my case.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Geez, I asked for *one* reference. I don't want you to
read the whole MS KB to me. But if after all of that
reading you can't come up with one (and neither has
Carey at this point) I rest my case.

Hi

Internet Explorer is made a lot more secure in SP2, details in
the Word document 05_CIF_Browsing.doc

05_CIF_Browsing.doc ("Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP
Service Pack 2, Part 5: Enhanced Browsing Security") can be downloaded
from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...d7-b791-40b6-8364-685b84158c78&DisplayLang=en

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Patches will most likely come out, at least one has been out for
several weeks.
But is people want to install SP-2 later after having problems nom,
they MUST research since most issues already have a resolution either
through a simple reconfiguration or an update from manufacturer.
Very few existing issues are Microsoft problems.