Installing WinXP SP2 is a risk

[Jason]

Hi,
I want to put out a general warning to users to not
install SP2. Yes, I realize that there are many security
advancements and all that, but the risk is not worth it.
I have just installed SP2 on a clean install and my PC no
longer boots up. Not in Safe-mode, not "last known good
configuration". I am now restarting the installation
again.
I do not know why it doesn't work, and I'm sure for
many users it did work, but I know it is not 100% solid.
The fact that there is a risk should be enough for you
not to do it. I should add that I do this for a living so
it's not like this is the first time I work with Windows.
It is the first time I have installed SP2, and it will be
the last until Microsoft can get it right.
For all users out there who are debating, do not
install it. Keep the regular updates going, but do not
install this as a complete update or you may be stuck
with 4 hours of work and lost data.

If only Microsoft could do things right the first time.

Best of luck to those who attempt it, you'll need it.

Sincerely,
Jason

 

[Murray]

I have installed it on 8 systems without a hitch.

 

[Frank Jelenko]

On the basis of sample of one you are willing to advise all users? And, you
have even done problem determination? Sorry - shame on you.

 

[LB]

I wish I had know this about three hours ago. I
experienced exactly the same situation. I get the same
error screen in an endless loop. How did you fix things?

LB

 

[Richard Urban]

You are way off base and either had a frigged up computer to begin with or
don't know what you are doing!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Greg Lirette [MSFT]]

It is possible that you are seeing the following issue, to confirm please
run the utility mentioned below.

If your machine is using Intel Prescott processors, the BIOS on the machine
may have not supplied an appropriate (production - level) microcode update
for your processor(s). You will need to get a new BIOS for your machine
that supplies at least the minimum production level microcode update as
shown in the table below (contacting your machine vendor if necessary). The
machine should not have been shipped with less that these minimum
(production level) microcode updates provided in the machine's BIOS.



Family 15 (0xF), model 3, stepping 4: Must have a microcode update signature
of at least 8. Latest microcode update signature is E.

Family 15 (0xF), model 3, stepping 3: Must have a microcode update signature
of at least 7. Latest microcode update signature is B.

Family 15 (0xF), model 3, stepping 2: Must have a microcode update signature
of at least 7. Latest microcode update signature is A.



Check your processor details using the utility from Intel:



http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/



The field reported as "Revision" is the microcode update signature.



After you install a correct BIOS on your machine, the machine will then boot
on up and your install should proceed.



Of course, if you have not already hit this problem, the best advice is to
run the frequencyid utility from Intel before installing XP SP2. If your
processor does not have a revision of at least the minimum shown in the
table above, get a new BIOS for your machine and then run the frequency
utility again and do not install XP SP2 until you have an appropriate BIOS
that installs at least the minimum production level microcode update.


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

 

[Johnny Lingo]

I have installed SP2 on over 30 machines over the last week or more
(including today's autoupdate release) and I have yet to have ANY problems.
I believe that if your hardware and software are both in good shape you
should be fine. I have also spoken to many friends and colleagues who are
in the same boat at as me and saying that this is the most solid SP that
Microsoft has ever released. As long as the systems have been kept up
properly this SP seems to install and run great (except for one processor).

 

[Guest]

I'm happy that your 30 computers have all been updated successfully and happy
for everyone who has had success in installing the SP2, but I think both
Jason and I would appreciate more helpful replies.

I was unsuccessful in my attempt to install the SP2, in fact it seems to
have caused my hard drive to fail. I have kept up to date with all the XP
updates, have updated virus software, don't have any strange or illegal
programs on the machine and the machine was supplied by Dell.

I'm off to check to see if perhapse my machine had the "one bad process",
but even with that one bad processor Microsoft shouldnt have sent the update
through the automatic update system, they should have just informed people it
was available for download and stated the known problems a bit more clearly.

 

[Guest]

Well easy give information about you pc.. Brand, model #, processer, speed,
amount of ram, hard drive size and so on....

 

[Johnny Lingo]

The opening poster seemed to be more advising people to not install rather
than asking for help!

 

[Guest]

Dell Dimmension 8300 Pentium IV 256 MB Ram, 40 G HD, nvidia video card

 

[Jason]

Are you kidding? If there is a risk of this happening to
others, then I think I should let people know in the
hopes that they won't go through what I went through. I'm
glad to hear there are so many success stories, and I'm
sure the success stories out-weigh the disasters by 100-
1, but the fact of the matter is there is still a chance
that your PC will not function after this update. For the
average home user, this is a risk they should be aware
of. As an IT professional I believe I am doing my due
dilegence.
All this being said, based on an earlier post, maybe the
bios update is the answer, but again I refer back to the
avergae home user. If Microsoft is going to put out a
service pack, then everyone should be able to install it
problem-free, otherwise they should advise the general
public.

Jason

 

[Guest]

Zero,

Did you apply the latest flashbios update released on 07/19/2004 and many of
the other updates listed?

 

[Jason]

I was only making others aware so they can make a better
decision when choosing whether or not to install SP2 by
letting them know of the problems I have had. These
forums are great places to exchange knowledge,
experiences, and get some help from your peers. There was
no help for my problem besides reinstallation. Hopefully
not too many others will have to do the same.

 

[Phil]

Hi,
I want to put out a general warning to users to not
install SP2. Yes, I realize that there are many security
advancements and all that, but the risk is not worth it.
I have just installed SP2 on a clean install and my PC no
longer boots up. Not in Safe-mode, not "last known good
configuration". I am now restarting the installation
again.
I do not know why it doesn't work, and I'm sure for
many users it did work, but I know it is not 100% solid.
The fact that there is a risk should be enough for you
not to do it.

Get a grip dude. For the majority of users sp2 installs fine. Most likely
you have some hardware/driver issues.
You risk your life everyday walking out the door, getting in your car, or
even with what you eat everyday. Risk is life. If you have no risk in your
life your not living.

I should add that I do this for a living so
it's not like this is the first time I work with Windows.
It is the first time I have installed SP2, and it will be
the last until Microsoft can get it right.

I do this for a living as well and have installed sp2 on more than 20
machines. Not one computer had a problem. Not one. Just because your
computer has an issue doesn't mean other will. I'll bet you have an oem
computer, right?

For all users out there who are debating, do not
install it. Keep the regular updates going, but do not
install this as a complete update or you may be stuck
with 4 hours of work and lost data.

If you backup like your supposed to do and something happens you will lose
nothing. (and if you work in the IT field or your a tech you'd know this).
And it shouldn't take you 4 hours to get back up and running. I can format
and install xp and my apps in under 2 hours.

If only Microsoft could do things right the first time.

They did. Worked fine for me.

Best of luck to those who attempt it, you'll need it.

Foolish and uninformed statement, at best.

 

[Phil]

There's a risk in driving your car, like dying. Do you tell everyone to not
drive cars? Of course not. Spreading foolishness is not what a good IT
professional does.

 

[Richard Urban]

There is a chance that your computer will not function after visiting one of
many of hundreds of off-color web sites also.


--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Richard Urban]

If you believe that software can make a piece of hardware mechanically fail
you must also believe in the tooth fairy!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[RonK]

Jason is not spreading Foolishness.
I also think that there should be a warning that XP might not boot after
installing SP2.
Your comment "There's a risk in driving your car, like dying. Do you tell
everyone to not

drive cars?" - not the same catagory.

Everyone knows before they drive cars that Dying is a possibility.
Installing SP2 should be risk free or a least have the warning that it could
fail with the result of a no boot condition.
I can see computer repair shops will be very busy in the near future because
of SP2. Most computer user's don't have a clue how to repair their own
machines. Most computer user's don't even know about these XP newsgroups or
computer forums.

Ron

 

[Jeff]

Hello Jason,

No offense, but this post of yours is stupid. Even when
you first install an OS, doesn`t matter if its XP, 2000,
or even (if you still have the floppies) DOS 6.22 & Win
3.1, there is no guarentee it will start up properly. I
have installed XP SP2 on 2 of my 3 computers, 3rd comp is
W2K. I have had no problems on the computers. My W2K has
given me more problems then my XP machines. There are
days when I have to reboot my W2K and I would get BSOD 5
to 7 times in a row, then after that no problem.

So even with a stable OS, you have risks of it not
starting up. As a computer tech, there is all kinds of
things that can cause your comp to not work one time and
other times to work with no problem. Instead of
complaining about SP2 not working, why don`t you
troubleshoot and try to determine what is causing the
problem and then inform others, so they know what to look
for as well and try to formulate a solution.

As for the risk, you don`t know if your computer will
start the next day, you don`t know when your motherboard
decides to crap out on you, or your hard drive decides to
die. Everyday is a risk, there are healthy people who die
when going to sleep, so should I just stay awake cause the
risk of not waking up? So it doesn`t matter if people
install SP2 or not, they face the same risk with their
computer everyday just as you face the risk of not waking
up in the morning or just drop dead from reading a book.

Jeff