Why do I need to install SP2?

[chris]

I have a new computer with Norton AV and Zone Alarm as a firewall. Can
anyone offer any advice to a guy who isn't heavily into computers? After
reading all the horror stories of people who'd had problems after installing
SP2 why do I need to instal it if I risk screwing up a perfectly good
machine?
Any advice appreciated.

 

[chris]

PS
I want to continue using Zone Alarm, but I've heard that the XP firewall
will insist on being turned on. Is it true that the XP firewall is
appalling?
Sorry it's lots of questions.
Chris

 

[Phil]

Security fixes and patches.
Always backup before you install and if something goes wrong, you bring your
backup back.

 

[tim]

you don't need to install it

 

[Guest]

if you doo it make sure you follow the instructions.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx


I find Zone Alarm to be appauling...a firewall should NOT
be such a resource PIG.

the XP firewall can be turned off without issue..assumeing
you didn't botch the install by leaving antivirus running
during the service pack update.

you may also want to remove zone alarm, install SP2, then
re-install Zone alarm, if you don't just make sure
you "CLOSE ALL OPEN PROGRAMS" (includes antivirus,
firewalls, basically any programs running in the
background) before installing SP2

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Chris;
Considering your computer is new, now is by far the best time to
install a Service Pack.
You will never again have a better chance to install SP-2 without
Clean Installing Windows XP.

There are many links on this page to help you make an informed
decision:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

 

[A Singh]

I just replied to someone who was about to install SP2 on
75 systems. Told them NOT to.
You don't install something like this right off the bat.
Install SP2 when SP3 comes out and so on...
in other terms, stay back a version if you are out in the
real world. This is "Best Industry practice"
wait for the dust to settle down, do that with all
software and hardware unless its mission critcal and the
gain outweighs the rist.

 

[Phil]

Resource pig? What on earth are you talking about. If your ZA is consuming
memory and/or cpu cycles then you got something else wrong going on on your
computer.
Right now zaclient is using 2.6 mb memory and 0% cpu cycles.
Vsmon is using 7.8 mb memeory and 0% cpu cycles.

 

[Phil]

Bad advice, imo. You should always stay current on updates and service
packs. In a industry environment, a good IT professional tests the service
pack on a non-production machine first, identifies any issues, perpares any
needed fixes, then installs xp on the rest of the production computers.

 

[Allan]

Also if any new fixes come out from Microsoft, SP2 will
need to be installed before you install the new fix or
patch.
Allan

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Also if any new fixes come out from Microsoft, SP2 will
need to be installed before you install the new fix or
patch.

Hi

Not true.

Lifecycle Supported Service Packs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=lifesupsps

states that WinXP SP1 Pro will be fully supported for 2 years after
the release of SP2, and one year for WinXP SP1 Home.

This means you will get critical security updates for SP1 at least
up to August 2006 (and I would think that this would be relevant
for WinXP SP1 Home as well, as there is very little difference
between Pro and Home in this aspect).

 

[tonyfair]

-----Original Message-----
I have a new computer with Norton AV and Zone Alarm as a firewall. Can
anyone offer any advice to a guy who isn't heavily into computers? After
reading all the horror stories of people who'd had problems after installing
SP2 why do I need to instal it if I risk screwing up a perfectly good
machine?
Any advice appreciated.

you don't need too. wish I hadn't
.

 

[Richard Urban]

You haven't read the success story of the millions who have installed SP2
and DON'T have a problem.

Why would they post here to say that everything is OK? This is a newsgroup
to help people who are experiencing difficulties.

--

Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Phil]

Could you please state some facts as to why you tell others not to install
it. If they have a prescott processor, then there is an issue, but other
than that, please show me your facts on why you say you don't need to
install sp2?(just because you had problems is not a good reason to tell
others they don't need it).

 

[Ellen]

Best advice I've read on here so far re SP2.

-----Original Message-----
I just replied to someone who was about to install SP2 on
75 systems. Told them NOT to.
You don't install something like this right off the bat.
Install SP2 when SP3 comes out and so on...
in other terms, stay back a version if you are out in the
real world. This is "Best Industry practice"
wait for the dust to settle down, do that with all
software and hardware unless its mission critcal and the
gain outweighs the rist.


a
firewall. Can
.

 

[Phil]

Why is that good advice? Any good IT pro knows to always stay current on
updates and servcie packs and to ALWAYS test them on a non-production
machine before deploying it.

 

[Brian]

To be careful, microsofthas posted programs that get
messed up after installing SP2, if you have them, and
don't want to uninstall, don't install SP2 until Microsoft
gets all the bugs rooted out.

 

[Testy]

You seem to have answered your own question! Many of us HAVE tested it in a
non-production machine and have advised AGAINST deploying it!

Testy

 

[The Grass is greener]

They haven't been messed up, please read the information - virtually
all of them are because of the firewall.

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 15:06:37 -0700, [Brian] said :-

 

[Terabyte]

This is from a newsletter I get.

Thank you for the newsletter. Wow what a relaxed way of handling XP SP2.

In my case I have installed all of the must have updates. I use a firewall,
NAT router, NAV and PestPatrol.
Yes I think I can wait.......

You mention an Windows Imaging package called Image for Windows (IFW) by
TeraByte Unlimited. It sounds too good to be true! ;~) .

You said that one can download a trial version. Will the trial version allow
one to create image backups and restore them if needed? Should I consider
IFW shareware?

Thanks Map!