Scared to Death!

[Rick]

At this very moment SP2 has finished downloading to my
computer and all I have to do now is click install.
However, after reading several posts about problems with
SP2 I'm not so sure I should do it. I'm am no computer
expert so if something goes wrong I won't be able to fix
it. I'd like to ask if this is a download that I need to
have? Should I wait a month or two until the bugs with it
are all fixed? If I do install it and something goes
wrong will a System Restore solve the problem? Please
someone give me some advice because I'm worried I might
mess up my computer.

 

[dev]

/Rick/ said:

At this very moment SP2 has finished downloading to my
computer and all I have to do now is click install.
However, after reading several posts about problems with
SP2 I'm not so sure I should do it. I'm am no computer
expert so if something goes wrong I won't be able to fix
it. I'd like to ask if this is a download that I need to
have? Should I wait a month or two until the bugs with it
are all fixed? If I do install it and something goes
wrong will a System Restore solve the problem? Please
someone give me some advice because I'm worried I might
mess up my computer.

It should be installed, but there is no rush. Wait a week or more if it
makes you more comfortable.

With AUTO UPDATES on, it may do the deed on its own, without your help.

Because each PC is unique, to an extent, there's never an guarantee that
something won't go awry, but that is unlikely.

 

[Frankster]

IMHO, I would suggest you do not install it. I installed it on 4
workstations and had some trouble with 2 of the 4. I was able to straighten
everything out and now have 4 good SP2 installations. But... I do know my
way around computers. There is high likelihood that installing SP2 will
require some fixing and/or some tweaking to make everything work right. If
you do not feel capable of that, I'd say don't install it. Especially if
you are happy with the way your computer is working now.

-Frank

 

[P.Cyr]

IMO, I would install it.

--
Paul Cyr

-----

The Debate Continues... www.xvsxp.com

Protect Yourself and Others in 6 Simple Steps...
http://davechalkconnected.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=1802

 

[root]

At this very moment SP2 has finished downloading to my
computer and all I have to do now is click install.

DO IT. There is next to no risk. For ever one person who reports some
obsure problem here there are 1000s that install it with NO problems.

However, after reading several posts about problems with
SP2 I'm not so sure I should do it. I'm am no computer
expert so if something goes wrong I won't be able to fix
it. I'd like to ask if this is a download that I need to
have?

YES, without it it's more likely that something will happen to your
computer that you'll have to get help with.

Should I wait a month or two until the bugs with it
are all fixed?

Just adding a month's added vulnerability to not having it.

If I do install it and something goes
wrong will a System Restore solve the problem?
Possibly.

Please
someone give me some advice because I'm worried I might
mess up my computer.

Just do it.

 

[root]

IMHO, I would suggest you do not install it. I installed it on 4
workstations and had some trouble with 2 of the 4.

Get some help from a pro.

I was able to straighten
everything out and now have 4 good SP2 installations. But... I do know my
way around computers. There is high likelihood that installing SP2 will
require some fixing and/or some tweaking to make everything work right.

That's WRONG!

 

[Rick]

Thanks for all the help guys! I've just finished
installing SP2 and EVERYTHING is working great! I haven't
run into any problems at all. Whew now I can sit back and
relax. Thanks again!

 

[RonK]

If you install SP2 and it will not boot after you can try this:

Recover your computer to a bootable state and remove Windows XP SP2
To recover your computer to a bootable state and remove Windows XP SP2,
follow these steps:
1.. Start your computer by using the Windows XP Recovery Console or by
using the Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE), depending
on your situation. To start your computer by using the Recovery Console,
follow these steps:
1.. Insert the original release version of the Microsoft Windows XP CD
in your computer's CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.

Note Your computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or DVD
drive. For more information about how to do this, see your computer's
documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.
2.. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears, press a
key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
3.. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen is displayed, press R to start
the Recovery Console.
4.. When you are prompted, type the number that corresponds to the
installation of Windows that you want to access from the Recovery Console,
and then press ENTER. For example, if you have one installation of Windows
on your computer, type 1, and then press ENTER.
5.. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password, and then
press ENTER.
2.. At the command prompt in Recovery Console, type the following lines.
Press ENTER after each line.
cd $NtServicePackUninstall$\Spuninst
batch spuninst.txt
exit

3.. Remove the Windows XP CD from your computer's CD drive or DVD drive,
and then restart your computer.
4.. Run the Windows XP SP2 Removal Wizard to remove Windows XP SP2. To do
this:
1.. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2.. At the command prompt, type the following lines. Press ENTER after
each line.
cd %Windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\Spuninst
spuninst.exe

3.. Follow the instructions to remove Windows XP SP2.
back to the top

 

[Frankster]

That's WRONG!

No, it's NOT!

The OP said... "if something goes wrong I won't be able to fix it."

Straight away, I can guarantee his Internet connection will stop working
because the firewall will block it by default. Yes, I know this is by
design. And yes, I know that this can be adjusted. Or, you can just turn
it off. But based on his comments, it doesn't sound like he would be able
to do that.

You're entitled to your opinion. I'm entitled to mine. Personally, I feel
that most folks almost "must" install SP2 because in the not too distant
future that will be all the vendors will support anyway. But there are LOTS
of folks that do not have the knowledge to set up the SP 2 firewall. And
that is if nothing goes wrong.

-Frank

 

[SlowJet]

Never give in to fear,
just do what you can,
with what is near,
and you will be a man

Way to Gooooooo, Rick!!

First one I have seen to actually install from AWU V5.

SJ

 

[Frankster]

I see the original poster was successful because nothing went wrong. Lucky.

-Frank

 

[RonK]

There is a risk. The computer might not boot into Windows after installing
SP2. There have been many posts with that problem and Microsoft has a web
page dedicated to that problem.
You say that there maybe 1 in 1000 that reports problems here. What about
the thousands who don't even know these help newsgroups exist. They end up
taking their machines into computer repair shops to fix what SP2 might have
screwed up.

Here's a link to the Microsoft SP2 unsuccessfull installation web page:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875355&product=windowsxpsp2kb

 

[Guest]

If he's already downloaded it, what's the point in waiting?
Won't he have the same potential problems in "a week" because it's today's
version?
When they quit fixing it every day, then I'll consider downloading it.

 

[root]

MOOT, the OP having taken excellent advice has now installed it and it's
running great. I wonder who told em that was the highly likely outcome?

 

[root]

Never give in to fear,
just do what you can,
with what is near,
and you will be a man

Way to Gooooooo, Rick!!

First one I have seen to actually install from AWU V5.

He never said that I don't believe.

 

[luminos]

This is great. However, I do not understand the myriads of people that do
not make regular image backups of their system with a product like Drive
Image.

Remember Murphy's Law.

 

[root]

If he's already downloaded it, what's the point in waiting?
Won't he have the same potential problems in "a week" because it's today's
version?
When they quit fixing it every day, then I'll consider downloading it.

Download and install it today. It works great just like the OP says.

 

[root]

This is great. However, I do not understand the myriads of people that do
not make regular image backups of their system with a product like Drive
Image.

www.acronis.com is better and do it to a removable HD in a KingWin tray and
keep it offsite.

 

[Guest]

Hi root!

Here is a copy of a message I posted on another board August 18th
*please note that the page at the first link did indeed list more than 250
programs that day. That was three days ago. MS must have fixed a lot of
issues with games compatibility, and issues with 30+ microsoft programs which
were listed that day. At this rate (of daily revising the version and fixes)
I'll wait until the dust settles. I work on my computers every day, and can't
risk a glitch which would cost me wages.

Copy of a post from 8-18-04 follows:

Well, here's the latest from Microsoft about the new service pack.

It seems that in the last 24 hours the list of "programs that may behave
differently after you install Windows XP SP2" (read: won't work as designed ~
or just plain won't work) has risen from around 40 to 257 (a friend counted
them, not me!)

Here's the link to the knowledge base article...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130&product=windowsxpsp2

Note the extensive list of microsoft programs...
particularly the programs with 'XP' in the titles...

Here's the link to "Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Support Center"...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2
this page was last "reviewed" (updated?) "August 11"

I wonder if they're still insisting on "you'll get SP2 automatically as
Microsoft releases it."

I'd be laughing here if they weren't thinking about screwing up my
computers, I don't remember agreeing to be a beta tester when I registered my
OS.

Any thoughts? Anyone? I know, someone's going to say they checked snopes and
it's all a practical joke, right?

Nature Lover

everything in quotes in this message is © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All
rights reserved.

end of message

 

[SlowJet]

Could be, root.

But ths is closer to AWU than D-clink and accept
computer and all I have to do now is click install.

Thanks for raining on my illusions that someone on the
web was actually telling the truth. lol

SJ