XP SP2 Rollout Advice

[Guest]

We recently finished a year log rollout of new PC's with a custom imge
including Win XP SP1...now we are forced to deploy SP2.
I've read several articles stating that a clean install is the only way to
go due to differences in the PC's once the user has gotten their hands on
them...it adds a layer of predictability.
Others have said just blow the SP down the pipe or manually and let it ride.
I am looking for help because I'm looking at about 1000 installs County wide
and selling a new image is going to be difficult at best.
I've searched but have not found any articles that sway me conclusively in
any direction.
Your help is appreciated.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

We recently finished a year log rollout of new PC's with a custom imge
including Win XP SP1...now we are forced to deploy SP2.
I've read several articles stating that a clean install is the only way to
go due to differences in the PC's once the user has gotten their hands on
them...it adds a layer of predictability.
Others have said just blow the SP down the pipe or manually and let it
ride.
I am looking for help because I'm looking at about 1000 installs County
wide
and selling a new image is going to be difficult at best.
I've searched but have not found any articles that sway me conclusively in
any direction.
Your help is appreciated.

Just follow al the published information around preparing for a SP2 roll out
and you can apply the SP2 update package to your machines.
Obviously testing is key for your build/platform and application
compatibility etc.

You don't think 20,000+ Microsoft staff all had their PCs rebuilt when we
had to mandatorily take SP2 soon after its release?

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Resources for IT Professionals
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

Deploying Windows XP Service Pack 2 in Enterprise Environments
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/sp2entdp.mspx

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Deployment Information
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/xpsp2dep.mspx

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| We recently finished a year log rollout of new PC's with a custom imge
| including Win XP SP1...now we are forced to deploy SP2.
| I've read several articles stating that a clean install is the only way to
| go due to differences in the PC's once the user has gotten their hands on
| them...it adds a layer of predictability.
| Others have said just blow the SP down the pipe or manually and let it ride.
| I am looking for help because I'm looking at about 1000 installs County wide
| and selling a new image is going to be difficult at best.
| I've searched but have not found any articles that sway me conclusively in
| any direction.
| Your help is appreciated.

 

[Ron Martell]

We recently finished a year log rollout of new PC's with a custom imge
including Win XP SP1...now we are forced to deploy SP2.
I've read several articles stating that a clean install is the only way to
go due to differences in the PC's once the user has gotten their hands on
them...it adds a layer of predictability.
Others have said just blow the SP down the pipe or manually and let it ride.
I am looking for help because I'm looking at about 1000 installs County wide
and selling a new image is going to be difficult at best.
I've searched but have not found any articles that sway me conclusively in
any direction.
Your help is appreciated.

Here is a web site with some information that you might find helpful
in planning your rollout procedures.

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

The single most important item that I have found with regard to SP2
upgrades is that antivirus software needs to be shut down before
starting the install. This is especially true if Norton antivirus is
installed.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the Advice Carey. I believe I've been to these links but I will
verify that.

John

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Guest]

Ron,

Thanks for your response.

John

Here is a web site with some information that you might find helpful
in planning your rollout procedures.

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

The single most important item that I have found with regard to SP2
upgrades is that antivirus software needs to be shut down before
starting the install. This is especially true if Norton antivirus is
installed.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Guest]

Mike,

I've found quite a bit out there regarding different options on Microsoft
and other sites to use.
You haven't offered me anything new but I appreciate your efforts and
response.

John

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Mike,

I've found quite a bit out there regarding different options on Microsoft
and other sites to use.
You haven't offered me anything new but I appreciate your efforts and
response.

My point was that in massive environment if you follow all the recommended
practices it is perfectly safe to deploy the SP without having to rebuild
all the machines.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups