I want to Remove Windows XP SP2

[Tammy]

When prompted by MS on an automatic update, I installed
Windows XP SP2 thinking it was a regular security patch.
I was annoyed when I discovered the installation of the
Windows Security Center. I already have my computer
protected with virus protection and a firewall and
regularly get my windows updates. I should have been
informed and given a choice of whether or not to install
Windows Security Center.

But that is the least of my problems. Since installing
SP2, my 3 month old computer now does the following: (1)
freezes up (often) with no apparent pattern; (2) freezes
up when left idle (instead of running the screen saver);
(3) all of my windows and desktop will disappear for no
apparent reason, and (4) other various buggy issues. Each
of these problems requires me to reboot my computer
improperly b/c my task manager will not open.

I have tried to remove SP2 in the followig manners: (1)
Add/Remove programs...I get a message that says an error
occurred and it can't be removed (and I get a teaser
message to just delete it from the list!); (2) Restore to
previous state...I get a message that says no changes
have occurred to my computer...(even though SP2 and
an "ms software installation" are clearly identified as
being added on Aug. 24th); (3) disabling all of the
features of the Windows Security Center...my problems
still exist and I am nagged by warning messages to turn
the features back on.

Needless to say, I am very, very annoyed. I am a huge MS
fan, but MS has violated my trust in them as a credible
and reliable content provider. MS has allowed me to
install (seemingly on purpose) software that I cannot
remove. I work from a home office and do not have the
luxury of an IT staff to figure this out for me.
Therefore these problems are seriously hindering my
ability to work. If I am not able to get instructions
from MS on how to remove SP2, I will not install any
other MS updates or buy any other MS software. In
addition, I will install a different operating system.

Please help!

Tammy

 

[Bill Crocker]

You must have crawled out from under a rock, if you were not aware that SP2
was one of the largest updates Microsoft ever released. In addition to
that, all the newsgroups have been overwhelmed with the pro's, con's, and
cautions, of SP2. Even local radio, and TV, stations have discussed it in
the news reporting.

However, in case you missed all of that, there was the link, on the MS
Windows Update Page;

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

But, you probably didn't pay any attention to that either. So now it's all
Microsoft's fault?

Bill Crocker

 

[Guest]

Let me first say that you are correct. I am ultimately
responsible for any action that I take whether it be
installing damaging software on my computer or burning
myself with coffee. However, my actions were informed and
based on previously predictable experience with a very
trusted provider. I had no reason to seek out the pros
and cons of SP2. In addition, there are many people in
this world who use computers daily but have hobbies other
than techonology; therefore, we do not live day and night
by what MS or any other computer services company is
doing day to day, quarter to quarter, or year to year. As
a result, I (and thousands of others) knew nothing about
SP2 before we installed it.

No matter that the individual is ultimately responsible,
MS is not off the hook, here. With SP2, MS acted in an
unethical manner. (1) my SP2 expectations were based on
years of previous experience with MS--MS deviated from
these and did not actively inform me at the time of
installation; (2) MS created SP2 such that I cannot
remove it...had I been warned as such, I would have never
installed it; it's pretty obvious MS wanted it that way;
(3) a company that wants to keep loyal customers would
never expect them (or want them to be inclined to) seek
out information about the negative or hugely deviating
behaviour of a very familiar procedure. They would,
instead, refrain from such design or inform them AT THE
POINT of installation.

And, no, I did not just "crawl out from under a rock." I
have a job to do that requires a computer, and I took
actions on faith with a company that I trusted.....MS
should be ashamed that they have put me and thousands of
others in this situation.

 

[Bill Crocker]

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but the contents of your reply speaks
volumes of your inexperience...in dealing with Microsoft, and their updates.

Microsoft Service Packs, without exception, always have numerous issues,
conflicts, crashes, etc. To be fair to Microsoft, most of them are not
necessarily their fault. There has never been "previous predictable
experience" with MS updates...there are always surprises, and the
unexpected. It is literally impossible for MS to ensure users that their
updates will be 100% flawless on everyone's system. "Trusted provider"?
Hardly anyone "trust" Microsoft...we tolerate them, because as bad as they
are, they're the best we have!.

That being said...have you tried uninstalling SP2? In Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs, you should see the option to do so.

Bill Crocker

 

[Sandman]

What the man is saying, (without the sarcasm) is simply, you can't trust
Microsoft just because it came from Microsoft.. You should, perhaps, be more
aware of the fact that a few Microsoft Updates and Hotfixes (if you wanna
call them that) , have been, over the last year or so, 'buggy' and not a
cure-all for any problem with Windows despite the fact they are supposed to
'fix' stuff..
People assume that anything that Microsoft posts as a downwloadable fix
for Windows XP has to be just fine, right? I mean, after all, they
developed the software and did all the testing before they put it out for
consumers, right? Not so, and this huge update they just released may prove
to be another major screw-up for Microsoft, as the man also said, Some
people have had no problems with SP2, others have had PCs freeze-up
sporadically and stuff just stop working because they blindly installed this
stuff 'patch'
I NEVER download ANY Hotfix posted on the Windows Update site until it
is a t least 3 months old, and you should be cautioned to observe the same
reasonable care.. I seriously doubt you can UN-install this massive update,
so I would not under any circumstances try to do so, no matter who tells you
you can..

 

[Guest]

I don't want to have a philosophical discussion of
software provider service, I just want SP2 removed.

As I mentioned in my first posting, I've tried to
uninstall it through add/remove and system
restore....neither recognizes it is there. Since the
post, I've also tried the same in safe mode. Same
results. Since XP came on my laptop at purchase, I don't
have an installation CD for XP and will have to use the
system restore CDs that my laptop shipped with...is this
my final option? Or, is there anything else that I can
try to uninstall SP 2? Any help will be greatly
appreciated.

T

 

[Grandpa Jim]

I removed XP SP 2 with System Restore.
Worked good.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice. I definitely will not install
future updates without waiting several months.

I guess I will just have to restore my machine with my
restore disks...uuugghhh..

Thanks!
T

 

[Ken]

Tammy,to get rid of it you must boot into safe mode.Do
this by pumping the F8 key at start up,choose safe mode
when the safe modw comes up choose administrator when it
boots,go into add/remove and delete it,it will go from
here,be sure thats what you want to do because it ain't
coming back,things done in safe mode are gone for
good.This is what you do when you have a program that
won't delete also.If F8 don't work try F5 most are F8
mine is F5.push the power button and start pumping till
it comes on with the option to chose safe mode you may
hear the internal beep with pressing the key,just keep
pushing it.Good Luck,I had to remove it from one of my 3
computers too.In the safe mode.The other 2 work just fine
with it.Dell,E-Machin,the H/P didn't like it.H/P has told
me to visit there site and download their updates for the
computer from them befare installing it again.Good
Luck.Please post back if it works for you,please and
happy computing.Ken

 

[Guest]

Ya but just think of the hell MS would get if they didn't
come out with updates,hackers would have a field day with
your box.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Ken
I've tried removing it in Safe Mode as well and I still
get a message that says "error removing...". I have
emachine, too. I'll look on their site to see if they
have any info for me...

thanks!
T

 

[Bill Crocker]

E-Machines can be somewhat unique, and finicky. Perhaps it is them you
should be upset with, rather than Microsoft. Are you aware that your
computer has an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) version of MS Windows
XP on it, and that it is NOT supported by Microsoft? Microsoft does not
support any OEM versions of it's products. Only the manufacture of your
computer does. They may have made changes in their version, that does not
respond well with SP2, at this time. It is E Machine's responsibility to
fix the problem.

Would you consider re-installing SP2? It may be that your original
installation was flawed, which might explain why you can't uninstall it.

The Microsoft Security Center shouldn't offend you. It's simply an alert
utility. It can work just fine with your existing firewall, and anti-virus
software.

Here is a link you may find helpful, should you decide to reinstall SP2. It
allows you to download the "FULL" SP2, which contains everything for all
flavors of XP2. It's very large, around 260MB, but if you have a high speed
connection, it would be relatively painless. If you can, burn it to a CD-R.
Don't forget to delete it when you are done, or it will hog a lot of your
hard drive space.

Bill Crocker

 

[Bill Crocker]

This is the actual link, for downloading the FULL version of SP2.

Download and Install Service Pack 2 on a Single Computer

Bill Crocker

 

[me]

This is the actual link, for downloading the FULL version of SP2.

Download and Install Service Pack 2 on a Single Computer

I see no link.

 

[Bill Crocker]

Oops...lets try one more time:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

 

[Grandpa Jim]

Yesterday, I was at Staples. They had a display of SP2 CD's at the front of
the store. I took one.
MS is handing out free XP SP 2 cds in USA Staples stores.

 

[Ted Zieglar aka Rocky]

Service packs are like Judgement Day for users who have misconfigured,
inadequately maintained or compromised systems; also for users who don't
take advantage of the enormous resources available to help with the upgrade.

Ted Zieglar

 

[Guest]

Yes you must get the updates from them first B4 loading
SP2.

 

[baldbenny]

Hi Tammy
I tend to agree with you and I believe some of the
responses you've received have been harsh.
I also installed sp2 on a one week old PC that I now can
not get to boot up at all, no matter what I try it
freezes within the first 30 sec of start up ( it was a
dream PC before sp2). Luckily I have a laptop on sp1 that
I can go back to. How many people are out there in the
same position as me without a second PC to revert to. I
am in a remote part of the world and also did not know
about sp2 until an automatic update occurred. Thanks very
much MS. love ya MS

 

[Guest]

Have you tried to turn off the fire wall,if you have 2 of
them running that could cause that,also turn off the
popup blocker in IE6.I bet you have a second firewall.If
you read the security in SC control panle,you'll see it
says not to run 2 firewalls at once it will lock up your
box.Try turning off MS firewall,or delete it all together
from your registry.