Service Pack 1a

[Pete Q]

I noticed that Windows has a service pack 1a for XP
users. Apparently this can be used in place of
the "original" service pack 1 that was released in Sept
2002 (assuming you haven't already loaded service pack 1)

I just recently had to reload my operating system and have
not loaded service pack 1 since I was told my many people
of problems they experienced in their operating system
after loading service pack 1.

Does anyone know if Service pack 1a was designed to
eliminate the performance problems that Service pack 1
created?

Any input would be appreciatd!

 

[Tom Swift]

You should always install Service Packs, as they are critical updates.
Moreover, software expects to see Service Pack 1a, and may not function
properly, or at all, if it has not been installed.

Here's two things to know about Service Packs, critical updates and
"problems":

1) Microsoft thoroughly tests Service Packs and other critical updates, but
it's obviously impossible to test on every possible system configuration in
the world. That's why a small number of systems may have problems with a
Service Pack or a critical update. Microsoft and/or affected software
vendors usually develop patches for specific problems as they are
identified.

2) Some users compromise their systems in ways that are not immediately
apparent. They may do this through simple lack of knowledge, neglect or in
their attempts to "tweak" their systems. Later these users try to install a
Service Pack or a critical update or some other software which expects to
encounter a correctly configured computer, and their computer "suddenly"
becomes unstable. This they blame on Microsoft or Dell or Symantec or...you
get the idea.

(Here come the flamers...)

Tom Swift

 

[Pete Q]

Thanks for your input Tom.

I agree that I definitely need to load one of the service
packs (1 or 1a). I just wasn't sure if there was any
reason I should choose one over the other.

The concerns I had heard on Service Pack 1 were not just
from users but articles I had read in PC World and other
publications

Pete

 

[Tom Swift]

No one is saying that Microsoft writes perfect software...far from it. In
fact, they have been accused of writing downright sloppy software, by people
who know what they're talking about. But that's no reason to avoid
installing SP1a (which is the sucessor to SP1, and the one you should
install). Better to install the Service Pack, which includes dozens of
big-fixes and updates, and deal with whatever problems it causes, however
unlikely, than to miss it.

Tom Swift

 

[johnvanginneken]

-----Original Message-----
I noticed that Windows has a service pack 1a for XP
users. Apparently this can be used in place of
the "original" service pack 1 that was released in Sept
2002 (assuming you haven't already loaded service pack 1)

I just recently had to reload my operating system and have
not loaded service pack 1 since I was told my many people
of problems they experienced in their operating system
after loading service pack 1.

Does anyone know if Service pack 1a was designed to
eliminate the performance problems that Service pack 1
created?

Any input would be appreciatd!
.

 

[steve.uk]

the only diff between sp1 and sp1a is that the latter doesn't include
microsoft java vm.

 

[Wesley VogelX]

Pete Q;
Windows XP Service Pack 1a
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp

[Microsoft recently released Windows XP SP1a. The only difference is that this
Service Pack no longer includes Microsoft's dated Java version. If you have
already installed Windows XP SP1, there is no reason to install SP1a, but the
"older" SP1 (with MS Java) is no longer available for download.]

 

[Guest]

From the research I have done some people have had success
installing Service Pack 1 after a clean install of Windows
and have experienced no performance loss

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Pete;
The only difference between SP1 and SP1a is the removal of Microsoft
Virtual Machine as part of a legal settlement.
You should install all Critical Updates including Service Packs.
The majority of people had no issues with SP1.
There were various causes for the problems people had.
1. Unnecessary applications including antivirus still running.
2. A conflict caused by a previously unknown but existing problem.
3. Something going wrong during the installation, specific cause
unknown (computer hiccup).

 

[Pete Q]

Jupiter,

Thanks for your response.

I was confused by your statement that said some of the
people who had problems had unnecessary applications
including antivirus still running.

Are you saying that I should disable the antivirus
software before downloading SP1a?

I would think it would be dangerous to disable Norton
while connected to the internet.

Why would having the anti-virus enabled cause a problem
when downloading the Service pack?

Pete

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Pete;
Yes, disable AV before any update.
It is not dangerous being on the internet without AV but it is if the
firewall is disabled.
AV applications occasionally cause problems when applications are
installed.
Not just Service Packs, but any kind of installation or update.
There are some Microsoft downloads that are known to have issues if an
AV component is running during the download.
AV applications or other applications running greatly increase the
chance for a problem during the download/installation and after as
well.

At the point you are downloading a Service Pack or any other update
from Microsoft, you need to trust Microsoft servers.
NEVER get updates from any source other than DIRECTLY from Microsoft.
Since you already trust the source, you really have nothing to protect
with your AV application.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html