tnet said:
Shortly after installing sp2, my laptop started with DCOM
10010 errors (timeouts/system hangs). I searched microsoft
and the web for any potential fixes (trying all of them)
and nothing worked. Disabling DCOM got rid of the
timeouts/hangs, but things like windows update and
installer failed (among other things). I uninstalled sp2
and the laptop is again a happy member of it's Windows
Server 2003 domain. until microsoft (or someone) has a
solution to this, I plan to pre-emptively uninstall sp2 on
all this company's computers.
Since you haven't even told us the make/model of your laptop, I can't
comment on why you had problems. There are lots of links to how to
install SP2 successfully and how to troubleshoot if there are problems
(which I will include below), but here is what I do to prepare a
computer for SP2 (I've only installed SP2 on about 100 so far, but all
were successful):
1. Make sure the computer is 100% spyware and virus-free.
2. Do all normal maintenance and optimization so the box is running
perfectly, including defrag.
3. Carefully examine the programs installed on the box to make sure none
of them will cause a problem with SP2, such as virtual drive software.
Uninstall them if necessary. If any programs will need patching
afterwards, get the patches.
4. Go to the OEM's website (if it is an OEM machine) and see what they
have to say about their machines and SP2. Download and apply any
patches. Laptops in particular need this. If the machine isn't OEM,
examine the hardware and make sure none of it will cause a problem.
5. Ask the client whether he has backed up his data (where not a clean
install). Back up data if necessary.
6. Disconnect machine from Internet/lan, disconnect any peripherals,
turn off firewall, av, make sure only the bare necessities are running,
install SP2.
7. Afterwards, tidy up.
Here are some links:
Are You Ready for WinXP SP2?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2
For end users
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
More technical
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx
SP2 Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?&pr=windowsxpsp2
Visiting a Service Center to Get SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/ballew_04sept20.mspx
SP2 links to OEMs
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx
Device drivers known to cause instability in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=883775&product=windowsxpsp2
Troubleshooting SP2 for Windows XP
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm and
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#General
http://forum.aumha.org/index.php - See SP2 forums
I think because you weren't successful with your laptop (and again, I
can't speculate why with no data from you), saying you are going to
uninstall SP2 on all your company's computers (if already installed,
are they doing OK?) is rather silly, but hey - it's your company and
your choice. I personally wouldn't run a Microsoft os that wasn't fully
patched and protected, but you're a grownup.
Good luck,
Malke
