Need for SP2?

[Brad]

I am kind of a novice but am having difficulty
understanding if I really need to download SP2. I already
have BlackIce Defender and Norton Anti-virus. I regularly
run an anti-spyware program (Ad-Aware) and have a pop-up
blocker (thanks to Google or AdPurger). I also use
Outlook and not Outlook Express. It seems that this is
all i hear about regarding SP2. I have updated regulaly
the critical updates that Microsoft puts out but not all
the other updates. Any suggestions on why to download SP2?

thanks.

 

[Haus]

SP2 is not only designed for the better firewall, popup blocker & download
block.
Only you can determine if you want SP2.

List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811113

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

SP2 is considered a major "Critical Update" and updates over
5 million lines of code in Windows XP. You'll experience
stronger security and a bit more performance by installing SP2.
If you are relying on some negative information about SP2
found in newsgroups, remember that only folks with issues
tend to post and many issues are not even related to SP2.

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

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

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

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

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

:

| I am kind of a novice but am having difficulty
| understanding if I really need to download SP2. I already
| have BlackIce Defender and Norton Anti-virus. I regularly
| run an anti-spyware program (Ad-Aware) and have a pop-up
| blocker (thanks to Google or AdPurger). I also use
| Outlook and not Outlook Express. It seems that this is
| all i hear about regarding SP2. I have updated regulaly
| the critical updates that Microsoft puts out but not all
| the other updates. Any suggestions on why to download SP2?
|
| thanks.

 

[Jason]

I won't be doing it again as I have just installed it on
a fresh install and my PC no longer boots up. It is too
finicky (if that is spelled right) and there is a risk in
installing it. Keep up the security updates but I would
stear clear of installing SP2.

Sorry Microsoft, I've had bad luck with SP1 and SP2.
There is no reason why a PC shouldn't boot up after
installing these updates, however I have had this happen
too many times to trust your programming. It is too big a
risk for loss of data and time.

Regards,
Jason

 

[Jordan]

SP2 is considered a major "Critical Update" and updates over
5 million lines of code in Windows XP. You'll experience
stronger security and a bit more performance by installing SP2.

Please elaborate and/or provide links regarding the performance improvement
you refer to.

 

[Mark Rossi]

SP2 is considered a major "Critical Update" and updates over
5 million lines of code in Windows XP. You'll experience
stronger security and a bit more performance by installing SP2.
If you are relying on some negative information about SP2
found in newsgroups, remember that only folks with issues
tend to post and many issues are not even related to SP2.

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

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

What if this maintenance was not performed prior to installing SP2? Will it
cause a problem later? I'm only asking because I'm experiencing no problems
thus far and hope to not have any. Thanks.

Mark

 

[Jordan]

What if this maintenance was not performed prior to installing SP2? Will
it cause a problem later? I'm only asking because I'm
experiencing no problems thus far and hope to not have any. Thanks.

Mark,
You're fine. Just remember to periodically perform basic maintenance
(defrag, scan disk, file cleanup, spyware/adware scans, full AV scans).

Happy trails with SP2!

 

[Jeff]

Jason,

If you don`t trust MS programming, then why are you still
using it. Its not the software, since millions have
installed it with no problem. You need ensure your
hardware is up to spec, all drivers are up to date.
Majority of boot problems tend to be video drivers, so
make sure they are up to date. Don`t blame an OS for your
problems, especially since it works for majority of the
people.

Jeff

 

[Mark Rossi]

Mark,
You're fine. Just remember to periodically perform basic maintenance
(defrag, scan disk, file cleanup, spyware/adware scans, full AV scans).

Happy trails with SP2!
Thanks!

Mark

 

[Jordan]

Not Carey, but amusing nonetheless.

This is completely unacceptable to ask for evidence of performance
improvement. Microsoft is required by FBI and CIA to peddle (or
pedal?) SP2 so that all PCs on this planet have SP2 installed to make
the life of national security agencies a bit easier. Don't forget,
we are still fighting a war against terrorism and if Microsoft's
software can help us so much the better.

So go ahead and make sure all your client's PCs (and yours of course)
have SP2 installed to help our country win this war. I am doing my
best to make sure people get their share of SP2s!

God bless America.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

This is completely unacceptable to ask for evidence of performance
improvement. Microsoft is required by FBI and CIA to peddle (or pedal?) SP2 so
that all PCs on this planet have SP2 installed to make the life of national
security agencies a bit easier. Don't forget, we are still fighting a war
against terrorism and if Microsoft's software can help us so much the better.

So go ahead and make sure all your client's PCs (and yours of course) have SP2
installed to help our country win this war. I am doing my best to make sure
people get their share of SP2s!

God bless America.

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

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

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

 

[JCO]

fyi; As reported in Langlist Standard Edition 2004-08-26

For example, the beta cycle of SP2 already turned up many, many tools,
utilities and applications that SP2 breaks. See "Programs that are known
to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP
Service Pack 2-based computer" at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130 . Undoubtedly, many
more will be added to the list as SP2 goes into wider release.

A PC World article also cites a small, anecdotal survey among highly
experienced users who reported that SP2 hoses about 15% of PCs it's
installed on--- a huge number. (
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/000167.html )

That's not to say that "SP2 is bad" or any such thing: Rather, it's that
it's brand-new and huge, and that means there will be bugs and
incompatibilities.

 

[Tom]

Please elaborate and/or provide links regarding the performance improvement
you refer to.

He won't elaborate this, because he cannot. He simply makes these statements from his extreme MS zealotry; MS can do no wrong in his eyes!

He is scarey to an extreme also in his love affair with anything MS. His home exterior is painted with the colors of XP (orange, green, blue, and yellow), and he doesn't buy any foods or potables unless they have the WHQL approval stamp on them!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Please be informed that the authentic Carey Frisch did not
post the above message! It is the apparent work of a cowardly
imposter! Proof:

Imposter's Posting Host:

NNTP-Posting-Host: 217-72-173-86.pool.access.hc.th.virtelco.com 217.72.173.86

My Posting Host:

NNTP-Posting-Host: cpe-066-061-051-082.midsouth.rr.com 66.61.51.82

 

[Jordan]

Please be informed that the authentic Carey Frisch did not
post the above message! It is the apparent work of a cowardly
imposter!

Ok Carey. I knew it wasn't you as I indicated in my previous post. But why
not respond to my request? See below:

SP2 is considered a major "Critical Update" and updates over
5 million lines of code in Windows XP. You'll experience
stronger security and a bit more performance by installing SP2.

Please elaborate and/or provide links regarding the performance improvement
you refer to.

 

[Haus]

Please elaborate and/or provide links regarding the performance

improvement
you refer to.

I am not sure so much performance is/will be gained, and have not read
anywhere that MS has been boasting about the big jump in performance, from
the research I have done the main thing it was targeted for, was security
and I can only speak from my experiences since I have downloaded build 2149
(RC2) then when build 2158 was released to the IT Pros. I did a repair
install with SP1 then installed SP2 (everything went smooth) and have maybe
noticed a little performance jump but I wasn't looking for a big boost, I
was looking more for the security fixes.

I have since installed it on many puters and have had no problems but as
Carey has stated the (real) post it is very important that you do a major
cleaning & as always before making any major change backup any important
information before starting to do the install just to cut the chances of
problems.

If you are searching these newsgroups for the praises of SP2 I am sure you
will find people with more problems then not, for you know the purpose of
newsgroups.