SP2 - WHY?????

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I installed SP2 yesterday over an existing Windows XP SP1
installation. After performing a Disk Cleanup and Defrag,
I must say this computer is performing better than ever.

List of fixes included in Service Pack 2 for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811113&Product=winxp

The final version of SP2 is not yet available to the general public for download.
It should appear as a Critical Update sometime around August 16th on the Windows
Update website.

Check this site next week for updates to it's availability:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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

:

| What is wrong with all of the authors in this newsgroup. What is the hurry
| about installing SP2?
| Haven't they learnt yet that it isn't wise to install a new package as soon
| as it is available as there
| will no doubt be many bugs that will need updating within the first month.
| (A lot of you will be aware of the ZoneAlarm 5 fiasco!)
| I personally will not be updating with SP2 until I have seen what the
| feedback is like in this and
| other groups.
| Good luck to all
| Tony

 

[R. McCarty]

The other thing about SP2 is that a number of applications are going
to need updates/patches for SP2 compatibility. Most if not all won't
post those until the official release on Tuesday.

However, holding off is logical for a Enterprise where there are lots
of PC's and proprietary applications. For 99% of home based users
SP2 will install fine. But, I would still recommend users take a system
image before starting the process. Everyone who is eager to get SP2
should spend a little time reading the change documentation on the
Service Pack.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx
It's technical, but summarizes how things will change after installing SP2.

Anyway Tuesday should be an interesting day here on XP General.

 

[Guest]

Hi Tony, Someone once wrote that the pioneers get the arrows and the settlers
get the fruit. I have been one of the many who beta tested the SP2 upgrade
and while there were problems at first, MS fixed the ones they could and told
me when they couldn't or wouldn't. I wouldn't be afraid of SP 2 especially
if you back up your existing system and /or set a restore point. I was
pleased to see that I could run the SP2 firewall, zone alarm and my router
without conflict. In fact, I couldn't use the MS firewall in SP1 with my home
network; I can without a problem in SP2. The upgrade does improve Windows XP.

 

[Guest]

What a ridiculous statement to make. SP2 has been out and tested for several
months now. I personally have had it since the release and gone from RC1 to
RC2 and assisted with bug reporting like thousands of others. While in fact
nothing is perfect in computing with an attitude like yours we would still
all be using Windows '98. }:~)

 

[tony]

What is wrong with all of the authors in this newsgroup. What is the hurry
about installing SP2?
Haven't they learnt yet that it isn't wise to install a new package as soon
as it is available as there
will no doubt be many bugs that will need updating within the first month.
(A lot of you will be aware of the ZoneAlarm 5 fiasco!)
I personally will not be updating with SP2 until I have seen what the
feedback is like in this and
other groups.
Good luck to all
Tony

 

[Jeffrey Struyk - MVP]

What is wrong with all of the authors in this newsgroup. What is the hurry
about installing SP2?
Haven't they learnt yet that it isn't wise to install a new package as soon
as it is available as there
will no doubt be many bugs that will need updating within the first month.
(A lot of you will be aware of the ZoneAlarm 5 fiasco!)
I personally will not be updating with SP2 until I have seen what the
feedback is like in this and
other groups.
Good luck to all
Tony

FWIW, I've been on the beta team for that project. I've got it on
three systems here and I've not had a single problem with any of them
since the RC1 release.

 

[Greg R]

What a ridiculous statement to make. SP2 has been out and tested for several
months now. I personally have had it since the release and gone from RC1 to
RC2 and assisted with bug reporting like thousands of others. While in fact
nothing is perfect in computing with an attitude like yours we would still
all be using Windows '98. }:~)

Actual I using 98se & Windows xp sp1 rc2. I do see your point

 

[Alias]

FWIW, I've been on the beta team for that project. I've got it on
three systems here and I've not had a single problem with any of them
since the RC1 release.

That's encouraging. But you're a tech. I bet your Windows 98SE/2K/Me/NT ran
like silk, too. It will be interesting to see what happens to those people
who aren't techs. Like another poster said, this coming Tuesday if, indeed,
the SP2 is available on Windows Update for the general public, will be an
interesting day on XP General.

Alias

 

[Max Burke]

Carey Frisch [MVP] scribbled:

I installed SP2 yesterday over an existing Windows XP SP1
installation. After performing a Disk Cleanup and Defrag,
I must say this computer is performing better than ever.
List of fixes included in Service Pack 2 for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811113&Product=winxp
The final version of SP2 is not yet available to the general public
for download. It should appear as a Critical Update sometime around
August 16th on the Windows Update website.
Check this site next week for updates to it's availability:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx


When is the SP2 CD going to be available, or the retail OS versions with
SP2?

I'm considering doing an upgrade to XP Pro (from XP home) when it ships with
SP2.
I certainly cant see me downloading an 80 -113Mb SP2 update over a 56K dial
up connection....

 

[Terrycymru]

The other thing about SP2 is that a number of applications are going
to need updates/patches for SP2 compatibility. Most if not all won't
post those until the official release on Tuesday.

Is there a list somewhere of applications which have already been
identified as needing updates/patches for SP2 compatibility?

TIA,
Terry

 

[Alias]

Is there a list somewhere of applications which have already been
identified as needing updates/patches for SP2 compatibility?

TIA,
Terry

I would be curious to see that list, too. I am not going to install SP2
until I know my apps. will work. I am especially worried about WS_FTP 95 as
I do a lot of web work.

Alias

 

[tony]

I take my hat off to all of the Beta testers of SP2 but as to your statement
that we would all still be using Windows '98 is ridiculous, this ng and its
posts reinforces my contention that this seriously large upgrade to the OS
is going to be troublesome.
It is not so much the Microsoft side of the upgrade that worries me, more
that of the 3rd party software that we all rely on to work seamlessly with
it.
I still say that a "wait and see" approach is best, but I may be wrong.
The near future will tell us the truth about the upgrade.
Tony

 

[Jeffrey Struyk - MVP]

That's encouraging. But you're a tech. I bet your Windows 98SE/2K/Me/NT ran
like silk, too.

For the most part, that's a true statement <G>. It's probably a safe
assumption that I spend a bit more time and energy maintaining my
systems than the average user.

It will be interesting to see what happens to those people
who aren't techs. Like another poster said, this coming Tuesday if, indeed,
the SP2 is available on Windows Update for the general public, will be an
interesting day on XP General.

I'm sure there will be questions, issues about the firewall (which is
turned on by default) and that kind of thing. As far as new
functionality, it's gotten simpler. Take the Security Center and the
Wireless Networking. Centralizing the security functions was a very
good move. The new wireless networking routines greatly simplify the
process and should help novice users configure their own networks.

 

[Alias]

For the most part, that's a true statement <G>. It's probably a safe
assumption that I spend a bit more time and energy maintaining my
systems than the average user.


I'm sure there will be questions, issues about the firewall (which is
turned on by default) and that kind of thing. As far as new
functionality, it's gotten simpler. Take the Security Center and the
Wireless Networking. Centralizing the security functions was a very
good move. The new wireless networking routines greatly simplify the
process and should help novice users configure their own networks.

But won't having auto update/install enabled cause problems if they also
have their AV's auto-scan enabled? Won't some programs not work properly
after the download and installation?

Alias

 

[Greg R]

But won't having auto update/install enabled cause problems if they also
have their AV's auto-scan enabled? Won't some programs not work properly
after the download and installation?

Alias

For some reason Nortons 2004 for has some problems on some systems.
Possible due to the stupid activation. However, Using any previous
Norton’s version 2003 or earlier should work.

Here’s how I would install xp sp2 if I was downloading xp sp2 and had

Norton’s.
First change windows automatic update to "download updates for me, but
let me choose when to install them."

When it done downloading. I would unplug or disconnect my internet
connections.

In services.msc

I would stop all of Norton’s services. (Not disable)
Install xp s2

Reboot
The only thing security center may not recognize it Norton is
installed.

Greg R

 

[Alias]

For some reason Nortons 2004 for has some problems on some systems.
Possible due to the stupid activation. However, Using any previous
Norton's version 2003 or earlier should work.

Here's how I would install xp sp2 if I was downloading xp sp2 and had

Norton's.
First change windows automatic update to "download updates for me, but
let me choose when to install them."

When it done downloading. I would unplug or disconnect my internet
connections.

In services.msc

I would stop all of Norton's services. (Not disable)
Install xp s2

Reboot
The only thing security center may not recognize it Norton is
installed.

Greg R

I don't have Norton. I have Trend Micro that came bundled with SystemSuite
5.0. What would you suggest for that?

Alias

 

[Incognitus]

But won't having auto update/install enabled cause problems if they also
have their AV's auto-scan enabled? Won't some programs not work properly
after the download and installation?

Alias

Not that it matters much but, I've installed every update including SP1,
except display drivers, while connected/online to Windows Updated and my AV
running without a single problem.

 

[Johnny Lingo]

I would be curious to see that list, too. I am not going to install SP2
until I know my apps. will work. I am especially worried about WS_FTP 95 as
I do a lot of web work.

Alias

If you do a lot of web work, why don't you get a newer FTP program?

 

[Greg R]

Alias
I just tested Norton 2003. I use avg know anyway.

Incognitus,
Yes, you can leave your virus program when downloading.
I usally disable my virus program after I unplug or disconnect my
internet connnection after downloading service packs.

Greg R

 

[Incognitus]

I've always just clicked the install button at the update site and installed
while there with AV running. Now, if I used Norton I'd still be trying to
uninstall it.