Is SP2 OK for old OEM Win XP?

[Guest]

I have a Compaq with Win XP Home installed from the factory and purchased
11/01. Last year I installed SP2 and had multiple problems. I was
compelled to do a factory restore.

I have strictly avoided reinstalling SP2 but this month, I installed the
patch Q819696, not knowing it was an SP2 patch. Now I cannot use system
restore.

I tried to uninstall the patch, but I get a warning message that nearly all
my programs will be adversely affected.

I have since been told by a knowledgeable software person that SP2 should
not be installed on a computer such as mine with the OEM version of Win XP.

Now, for the fourth time in a year, I am going to have to do a factory
restore. The reason is my computer keeps losing contact with my HP 6200c
scanner giving me messages "scanner not found". I have gone through all the
uninstalls, registry deletion of scanner content, reinstalls, which often
works, but this time only lasted 6 days. The HP technician told me to do a
factory restore. Aaaarrgghh!

My quandary is; is there a virus or something getting to my scanner causing
the loss of function and, if so, would I be better off with SP2. Or would I
just have even more problems.

I posted this question in another forum and was answered by Carey Frisch
that I was given bad advice, that SP2 was made for all instances of Windows
XP and worked very well.

I have read the whole, and very enlightening, thread of 'SP2 to SP1' and
that's why I reposted this question. I feel I am reading that Carey's
answers may not always be correct, and that some people are removing SP2 even
from new computers - which I assume is because of the horrible problems it
can cause.

Please give me your opinions.
SCSharon

 

[DL]

I have since been told by a knowledgeable software person that SP2 should

not be installed on a computer such as mine with the OEM version of Win

XP.

'knowledgeable'? me thinks not
What they may be implying is that there can be problems with, often 'older'
software/hw drivers
A number of hw software manu released updates after sp2 because of probs

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Did the "knowledgeable software person" also say why?
If that person did not give you a specific reason, you should question the
knowledge level.
Check with Compaq and see if they have any issues with your specific model
and SP-2.
If there are any, they will have instructions and/or an appropriate patch.

SP-2 is designed for all versions of Windows XP, but some OEMs may have to
provide fixes for their specific situations.
It is difficult to remove SP-2 from a new computer since SP-2 can not be
removed if it was not separately installed.
Most new computers come with SP-2 integrated and SP-2 removal is not an
option without acquiring a version of Windows XP pre SP-2.

All problems, known and unknown, should be resolved before installing
anything especially something as large as a Service Pack:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

If you want to uninstall the patch, ignore that message and everything is
usually OK.
If you have problems, reinstalling the appropriate program normally fixes
it.

Make sure you are using the latest Windows XP drivers for the scanner.
If you keep having problems, there may be something wrong with the scanner.
What does the scanner manufacturer say about SP-2 compatibility?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have since been told by a knowledgeable software person that
SP2
should not be installed on a computer such as mine with the OEM
version of Win XP.

I am afraid your software person is not as knowledgeable as you
think. There may be some specific situations (very few) in which
it's correct, but as a general rule, it's far from true.

 

[Guest]

Did the "knowledgeable software person" also say why?

He gave me a long, detailed answer that I didn't really understand and can't
remember. It had something to do with SP2 referring to 'items' (not his
word) that could not be found because the OEM version of Win XP did not
contain the items or the items were changed or too old. As I said I didn't
understand it so I could be misquoting / misinterpreting.

Check with Compaq and see if they have any issues with your specific model
and SP-2.

I have asked questions using email tech help and they usually just pick up
on a few words and direct you to a web page. In this case I would be
directed to the page that tells people what to do to prepare for SP2. If I
call it will cost be $59 for the answer. I guess it would be worth it if I
actually got a good answer, but I am not convinced. My calls always go
straight to India.
In the "Preparing for SP2" web page, it specifically states that computers
older than June 2003 may have to do additional updates but no updates are
listed, and when I ask email tech help, my question is ignored.

If you want to uninstall the patch, ignore that message and everything is
usually OK.
If you have problems, reinstalling the appropriate program normally fixes
it.

Thank you for this. I will certainly try it before doing a factory restore.

Make sure you are using the latest Windows XP drivers for the scanner.

I have done this.

If you keep having problems, there may be something wrong with the scanner.
What does the scanner manufacturer say about SP-2 compatibility?

This Q/A has never come up. It's a good question. I have always used SP1.
They have just said my problems are probably due to a virus 'or something'
that has interfered. I guess that's why I am making a more intense search
about using SP2.