A
Andy
If I want to go back to sp2 and remove sp3, where are the sp2 files kept?
I want to make sure they are all there before I begin.
Thanks.
I want to make sure they are all there before I begin.
Thanks.
P
Paul
Andy said:
SP3 is KB936929. Do you have a folder of that name in your $NT stuff ?
Check the size, see how much stuff is in it. Does it seem "Service Pack"
sized ?
Something like C:\Windows\$NtUninstallKB936929$ maybe.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
I can't check here, because my OS was installed from a Microsoft CD
as WinXP SP3, so there's no undo for me. I stay at SP3, forever.
Seems to work fine.
Paul
A
Andy
Unless you buy XP2, hard to find but available.
I got mine for $20.
Andy
G
glee
Paul said:
No... service packs for XP don't create a folder with the KB number like
an update. A service pack creates a folder named
$NtServicePackUninstall$. If SP2 is installed over SP1 or XP Gold, it
creates the folder, and when SP3 is installed, it uses the same folder,
overwriting what was there from the earlier SP.
If the folder exists, there will be an entry in Add or Remove Programs
to uninstall SP3.... unless the user used a utility or reg-edit to
remove or hide the entry.
If the entry is not in Add or Remove Programs, but the folder
$NtServicePackUninstall$ still exists in the Windows directory tree, the
service pack can be removed using a command in Start> Run to execute
$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
A
Andy
Thanks for the info.
Those folders are still there.
Andy
G
glee
David H. Lipman said:
Agreed. We don't know when the OP installed SP3. If it was some time
ago, there really isn't a reason for uninstalling it now anyway. Who
knows what the OP hopes to accomplish...
A
Andy
What you said does not make any sense.
If I remove sp3, it should be restored to the previous sp2.
The operative word is should.
Now if sp3 doesn't properly uninstall,it may be necessary to do a repair or reinstall sp2.
I hope that doesn't become necessary.
I have seen some things "break" with sp3 patches and hot fixes.
And MICROSOFT Office 2010 is interfering with an earlier version of Word as
---------------------
well as hijacking the icon for .csv files that I open with a freeware program.
I feel that some of Microsoft's software is written with full knowledge that it will cause conflicts with other software.
This is based on documented incidents by myself and other colleagues.
That is why I am considering going back to sp2.
Best regards,
Andy
P
Paul
Andy said:
This is what backups are for.
If you want to remove SP3, do a backup first.
This will backup up whatever you need to restore later. Prepare
the boot CD they provide as well. Downloading WAIK isn't absolutely
necessary, unless you have something more than a simple desktop setup.
The Linux boot CD with dedicated Macrium dialogs in it (you can't
tell it's Linux), will guide you during a restore.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
On Windows 7, the equivalent of that is the System Image function.
But Macrium uses VSS on WinXP, to largely do exactly the same thing.
You can back up the OS "hot" - busy files don't affect the ability
to do the backup. You do need the Macrium boot CD, if restoring
to "bare metal". Like after your OS got trashed say...
Paul
A
Andy
I got lost on some of what you said.
At this point I am just considering going back to sp2.
I make backups frequently in zips that I store on CDs and pen drives.
In the past I recall deleting a file from the hard drive that would make my sp2 install disk either a repair or reinstall the o.s.
I stopped critical updates because some of them are not security related and the information about everything they do is not available.
Andy
P
Paul in Houston TX
Andy said:
Your computer seems to be getting more and more messed up.
Why not f/disk, format, and reinstall SP2?
T
Twayne
In
It should, indeed. I've never done and and feel you're making an error in
judgement here, but ,,, with SP2 installed, get ready for a big boatload of
updates to SP2. If you don't allow them, anyone and everyone responding to
you is wasting their time. You'll have exactly the kind of machine the
virals and malware people love to come across! Non-updated machines are
there favorite targets by far. And there are a lot of them. So you better
have a great AV and anti-malware apps working or at the ready to keep your
machine running.
SP2 won't install if iit thinks SP3 is installed. It's more like a reinstall
of your OS will be necessary and whatever SP level it might contain. An
XP/SP2 is what you're wanting, but ... not so sure you should be doing that.
I have yet to see ANYTHING break with SP 3 patches, updates and hot fixes.
If that does happen, then it's wise to roll-badk that "patch" not throw out
the whole baby. EVERY one of those iincludes an uninstall program so you can
roll back the individual ones if they cause a problem.
I bet it is; depending on the version, that's by design. The only way you
can have two versions of office on the same machine is to be ready to allow
the "reinstall" efforts every time you switch from one to another. And that
assumes you did the installations in the proper order. MS explains how to do
it.
---------------------
That makes no sense. And is so minor as to be neglgible. If you don't like
the icon, change it.
I feel that you are damned by not having read the proper MS articles on
doing some of the things you do and also you may well have some file
corruption or even viruses or malware bugging you. Or is everything you're
relating coming from other people?
Something to keep in mind when reading about MS app problems: the
millions of people without problems have no reason to be posting; it's just
the ones needing help that post.
Why don't you provide some of that documentation? There may wel be far
simpler solutions than what you are considering.
You shouldn't do it. You're going to be going thru a lot of work for
nothing. And you're going to get a lot more updates, too, as in all the ones
after SP2 AND the ones that are "instead of" SP3. Unless you know more than
you appear to in your posts, you are headed for the possibility of a very
heavy boat-anchor sitting there on your desk. Or wherever.
If you do respond, try to answer the missing information and be a lot more
precise about what's doing what. Try to provide enough information to help
others to help you. I believe you are heading down the wrong path and it
could be a path to doom unless you like doing complete rebuilds of your
discs from scratch.
I'm sure there are others here who could do a great job of helping you if
you could be more precise and ask a few more precise questions about that
problems you yourself are experiencng.
HTH,
Twayne`
Andy said:
It should, indeed. I've never done and and feel you're making an error in
judgement here, but ,,, with SP2 installed, get ready for a big boatload of
updates to SP2. If you don't allow them, anyone and everyone responding to
you is wasting their time. You'll have exactly the kind of machine the
virals and malware people love to come across! Non-updated machines are
there favorite targets by far. And there are a lot of them. So you better
have a great AV and anti-malware apps working or at the ready to keep your
machine running.
SP2 won't install if iit thinks SP3 is installed. It's more like a reinstall
of your OS will be necessary and whatever SP level it might contain. An
XP/SP2 is what you're wanting, but ... not so sure you should be doing that.
I have yet to see ANYTHING break with SP 3 patches, updates and hot fixes.
If that does happen, then it's wise to roll-badk that "patch" not throw out
the whole baby. EVERY one of those iincludes an uninstall program so you can
roll back the individual ones if they cause a problem.
I bet it is; depending on the version, that's by design. The only way you
can have two versions of office on the same machine is to be ready to allow
the "reinstall" efforts every time you switch from one to another. And that
assumes you did the installations in the proper order. MS explains how to do
it.
---------------------
That makes no sense. And is so minor as to be neglgible. If you don't like
the icon, change it.
I feel that you are damned by not having read the proper MS articles on
doing some of the things you do and also you may well have some file
corruption or even viruses or malware bugging you. Or is everything you're
relating coming from other people?
Something to keep in mind when reading about MS app problems: the
millions of people without problems have no reason to be posting; it's just
the ones needing help that post.
Why don't you provide some of that documentation? There may wel be far
simpler solutions than what you are considering.
You shouldn't do it. You're going to be going thru a lot of work for
nothing. And you're going to get a lot more updates, too, as in all the ones
after SP2 AND the ones that are "instead of" SP3. Unless you know more than
you appear to in your posts, you are headed for the possibility of a very
heavy boat-anchor sitting there on your desk. Or wherever.
If you do respond, try to answer the missing information and be a lot more
precise about what's doing what. Try to provide enough information to help
others to help you. I believe you are heading down the wrong path and it
could be a path to doom unless you like doing complete rebuilds of your
discs from scratch.
I'm sure there are others here who could do a great job of helping you if
you could be more precise and ask a few more precise questions about that
problems you yourself are experiencng.
HTH,
Twayne`
T
Twayne
In
The SP2 files aren't kept anywhere special and after installation are spread
all over creation on your disc. You would need to get a free download of
SP2 from MS if you don't already have it someplace. No worry, it's free.
The SP2 files aren't kept anywhere special and after installation are spread
all over creation on your disc. You would need to get a free download of
SP2 from MS if you don't already have it someplace. No worry, it's free.
C
Chris S.
Here's an eBay seller offering all 3 SPs, if download bandwidth is theTwayne said:
problem.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261163402013?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
And no, I have no association with the seller.
Chris
T
Twayne
In
But IMO it's a lot better to download them directly from Microsoft, where
they are also free and known to be virgin.
Besides, you can then get the versions of the SP that are specific to
your OS rather than the much larger and slower to download complete SPs that
work for multple OS's.
HTH,
Twayne`
Then simply burn them to CD/DVD.
Chris S. said:
But IMO it's a lot better to download them directly from Microsoft, where
they are also free and known to be virgin.
Besides, you can then get the versions of the SP that are specific to
your OS rather than the much larger and slower to download complete SPs that
work for multple OS's.
HTH,
Twayne`
Then simply burn them to CD/DVD.
A
Andy
I have checked for viruses and malware.
My system is clean.
I use a "intrusion detection and prevention system" program on my computer.
It's a lot of work setting up rules on what to allow and which to deny.
It's worth the effort.
When XP wanted to defrag during an idle time,(this was not a schedule event but part of the o.s. maintainance) my security program notified me and I was given the option to deny or kill or create a rule.
There are also millions of people who don't post problems but use advice from friends to fix it or not or they live with it.
When I installed Microsoft's security essentials program, it turned on Automatic Updates that I had disabled.
That was no accident, no virus or malware behavior, but intentionally programmed by Microsoft with the full knowledge of knowing the vulnerabilites that exist by having Automatic Updates turned on.
I think you have made up your mind that Microsoft makes no mistakes or sometimes behaves maliciously.
I paid good money for software and I expect to use it for as long as I choose, not what some company thinks.
I may post more "shenanigans" that have occurred and are still occuring, as well as fixes for those that I discover.
Andy
"I am not a Borg and will not be assimilated."
T
Twayne
In Andy <[email protected]> typed:
....
Checked with what? Which apps? Not all of them are created equal,
unfortunately.
Well, as clean as you can get it, I'm sure. That's why I asked about what
apps you used to be sure your system is clean.
I've never known XP to do that. Do you recall offhand how to set/unset that?
My Norton app will do that, but I ddn't know Windows could.
had that same experiience, as a matter of fact. I also got quite a
surprise when I tried to remove it. It just would not remove and it'd only
been on the computer for a few days tiime.
Minor detail; just set it back to where you wanted it. I have never heard of
any problems with Automatic Updates in any setting, though I always use
Custom Install so I can see what I'm downloading.
LOL, wow! You're good at knee-jerks, aren't you? MS is great, but it's also
no longer customer oriented in any way. And yes, they can turn you "off"
anytime they wish to, assuming you registered the OS.
I agree, wholeheartedly. That's why right now I have a macro running that's
finding and downloading every update/hotfix/etc. ever released since I
applied SP3.
One way of driiving out us XP-ers would be to remove ALL updates from
their free downloads. I'll keep on adding to that directory for as long as I
get updates, just in case they do something stupid on us.
I won't soon forget how MS shut down all the pirated softwares in China
with one small update aimed specifically at them. It also pissed me off
pretty good when they offered back legit licenses for only $30US, too.
That might be interesting to hear about. I still think you have been misled
however, and don't understand what's going to happen if you back up SP2.
And, it'll be even worse if you refuse to use the MS updates. That's your
own business, however.
HTH,
Twayne`
....
Checked with what? Which apps? Not all of them are created equal,
unfortunately.
Well, as clean as you can get it, I'm sure. That's why I asked about what
apps you used to be sure your system is clean.
I've never known XP to do that. Do you recall offhand how to set/unset that?
My Norton app will do that, but I ddn't know Windows could.
had that same experiience, as a matter of fact. I also got quite a
surprise when I tried to remove it. It just would not remove and it'd only
been on the computer for a few days tiime.
Minor detail; just set it back to where you wanted it. I have never heard of
any problems with Automatic Updates in any setting, though I always use
Custom Install so I can see what I'm downloading.
LOL, wow! You're good at knee-jerks, aren't you? MS is great, but it's also
no longer customer oriented in any way. And yes, they can turn you "off"
anytime they wish to, assuming you registered the OS.
I agree, wholeheartedly. That's why right now I have a macro running that's
finding and downloading every update/hotfix/etc. ever released since I
applied SP3.
One way of driiving out us XP-ers would be to remove ALL updates from
their free downloads. I'll keep on adding to that directory for as long as I
get updates, just in case they do something stupid on us.
I won't soon forget how MS shut down all the pirated softwares in China
with one small update aimed specifically at them. It also pissed me off
pretty good when they offered back legit licenses for only $30US, too.
That might be interesting to hear about. I still think you have been misled
however, and don't understand what's going to happen if you back up SP2.
And, it'll be even worse if you refuse to use the MS updates. That's your
own business, however.
HTH,
Twayne`
A
Andy
The defrag only occurs during idle time in XP.
You can do a search and find more info.
It does occur after logon unlike other things that occur before logon.
I did not have any problem removing it.
M.S.E. failed some recent virus tests, it can detect the eicar.com file, but then all it does is output text.
Nor minor when a service pack or update writes changes to the o.s.
I am sure you have read some of the so called details of the various service packs.
They recently were selling Windows 8 for $5.00 outside the U.S.
And yes, they can turn you "off"
To turn off a remote computer generally requires a connection to it.
Last figures show XP worldwide at 34% of all users.
At many plants, instruments run on 486s on up.
I am thinking you may not have run sp2 for very long.
T
Twayne
In Andy <[email protected]> typed:
....
LOL! Just what do you think a Servce Pack IS? The more you talk the more
you really sound like a luddite.
Yes, I have.
Exactly. Like I said, they did it via the auto updates.
You have better look for another OS then. MS, Chrome, Linux et al are all
gving YOU what they think YOU need. Good luck!
Don't waste your time. It would appear everyne has written you off as a
nutjob.
From a few weeks after it was released to a few weeks after 3 was released.
SP3 was a vast improvement and included SP2 plus all its hotfixes, updates,
etc., and 'm beginning to think it is you who hasn't the trace of an idea
about what a Service is or what it does for you.
I suspect you're a troll anyway and know you are a luddite. Good luck with
all that and you'll never get far in this world.
HTH,
Twayne`
....
LOL! Just what do you think a Servce Pack IS? The more you talk the more
you really sound like a luddite.
Yes, I have.
Exactly. Like I said, they did it via the auto updates.
You have better look for another OS then. MS, Chrome, Linux et al are all
gving YOU what they think YOU need. Good luck!
Don't waste your time. It would appear everyne has written you off as a
nutjob.
From a few weeks after it was released to a few weeks after 3 was released.
SP3 was a vast improvement and included SP2 plus all its hotfixes, updates,
etc., and 'm beginning to think it is you who hasn't the trace of an idea
about what a Service is or what it does for you.
I suspect you're a troll anyway and know you are a luddite. Good luck with
all that and you'll never get far in this world.
HTH,
Twayne`