SERVICE PACK 2

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS DOWNLOADING THE SERVICE PACK IT WILL START BUT IT WILL
STOP AND SAY EVERTHING WASN'T DOWNLOADED
 
You might want to NOT use the "Wizard" and just download ONLY the full
service pack 2 file from Microsoft's downloads area. It takes longer, yes,
since it is providing all of the files for the OS changed files, but my
experience is that it is more reliable to download the entire 200MB file then
reboot then just install it locally while "disconnected" from the internet.
Key word: Disconnect. That way, the stupid wizard won't try locating default
stock, least-common-denominator drivers to replace the ones you have for your
current manufacturer-specific hardware.

One significant cause of installer problems may be having programs and
drivers loaded for devices or software that is running when the computer
starts up. I have a habit now of uninstalling various custom devices like
webcams, FM radios, TV decoders, Printers, etc. - I mean using device manager
to actually delete them before starting the SP2 installation process. This
assumes you still have the CD or driver files that came with each custom or
non-standard device. It's more work on your part but I think it saves time
troublshooting in the end.

Once the SP2 is installed, let it reboot gracefully on it's own without your
unplugging the power cord or pushing any buttons to speed it up. It takes
awhile - when you think something is frozen, it is windows making registry
changes on the fly before writing them to the harddrive... that is the worst
time to pull the plug on a wizard that couldn't care less about how much your
computer, photos or personal data is worth.

When your computer comes back up, log in, and just sit and watch it for 5-15
minutes and babysit all the new or changed hardware messages you get... don't
worry so much at this point unless nothing happens for 15 minutes or
longer... I mean no hard drive lite blinking and no keyboard input response.

Then, do a gracefull soft power off again by using the Start menu, Shutdown
buttons. Power it back up and then you should have a current control set and
one backup last good configuration in the registry so that as you start to
reinstall the few devices you pulled off earlier, you'll have a cleaner go at
troubleshooting if something goes wrong.

Good luck... but as I mentioned... don't do the interactive wizard-based
update. Download the whole thing and do the update offline from any
connection to the outside world.

Good luck!
 
Back
Top