xp Sp2 thoughts.

[Greg R]

Sp2 thoughts.

I just can’t understand why people are having so many problems after
Microsoft thoroughly tested it. They even delayed it. I thought they
had alot of testers.


On some computers xp service pack2 rtm install just fine.
On other computers xp service pack2 rtm does not install.

The same software will work on one computer with xp sp2 and on a
another computer with xp sp2 it wont.


Greg R

 

[Tom]

Sp2 thoughts.

I just can’t understand why people are having so many problems after
Microsoft thoroughly tested it. They even delayed it. I thought they
had alot of testers.


On some computers xp service pack2 rtm install just fine.
On other computers xp service pack2 rtm does not install.

The same software will work on one computer with xp sp2 and on a
another computer with xp sp2 it wont.


Greg R

My thoughts on this are simple: the Windows-PC platform has ***WAY*** too
many variables (combinations of hardware drivers, windows patch level,
state of the file system, state of the all components, 3rd party apps,
etc.) to ever test completely. In truth, you'd probably need your
Microsoft beta testers to make up over 70% of the installed user base, not
whatever fraction of a single percent actually do the beta testing.
That's not to make excuses or to knock Microsoft, it is the just the plain
truth. In (mostly) proprietary computing platforms, which all the others
basically are, it is much, much easier to take a very small beta test pool
and test all the combinations of the above, because they only are capable
of the subset the Windows PC is capable of; there are very good arguments
against this fact, though, which is why I really can't recommend a Windows
PC to anyone without the apptitude for technology, like just about all my
relatives. If you can barely run a VCR, you better buy a Mac or nothing at
all. Anyway.

Now, I'm quite frustrated with SP2, because I've spent many hours, so far,
trying to figure out why two of the first five SP2 installs has killed
Remote Desktop access (if it is the firewall, then there is something
wrong, because ********YES********* I have the Remote Desktop exception
enabled, and I've dislabed it outright as well) with the very obscure,
"the remote computer has ended the connection" message; note, this comes
back immediately, so obviously the remote computer is communicating with my
RD client machines. Say, for all you brains out there, try to find me
*any* good source on that specific error message, I dare you!
"the remote computer has ended the connection". Give it a shot, someone,
please, because I've done so many tests to rule out things on two
_completely_ different systems, with only a standard floppy drive in common
hardware-wise, it is ridiculous. Everytime, though, a system restore to
before my first SP2 install does the trick (sometimes I can uninstall SP2
with the uninstaller and Remote Desktop works again, other times not.)

- Tom

 

[Robert Moir]

Sp2 thoughts.

I just can't understand why people are having so many problems after
Microsoft thoroughly tested it. They even delayed it. I thought they
had alot of testers.


On some computers xp service pack2 rtm install just fine.
On other computers xp service pack2 rtm does not install.

The same software will work on one computer with xp sp2 and on a
another computer with xp sp2 it wont.

Well SP2 isn't perfect. I'm sure that it will have some errors in it just
like any other bit of software. Lets get that out of the way.

Then we have to consider drivers or system level applications (e.g.
antivirus software) that do not work properly with SP2. It can be impossible
to test all the combinations of these kinds of things, and it can be
impossible to make sure everyone gets the updates to even known faulty
drivers and system software before they upgrade.

Then, speaking of Virus Scanners, we have to consider the things they
protect against. If a virus or especially violent item of spyware/malware is
living on a system before SP2 is applied, then obviously this will leave
things in a totally inconsistent state. After the service pack updater has
had a go at modifying your operating system, and the virus has had a go at
modifying the service pack files, you tell me what we've got now, because it
isn't what anybody expected.

General corruption and problems with a system can be a problem too. If a
system has a problem with some bad registry entries, or a bit of disk
corruption messing up some files, or maybe a system config problem such as
an incorrectly installed driver lurking around the system, then again, we're
going to have an inconsistent state after the upgrade. Things might be
better or worse or no diffierent at all; no way of saying for sure at this
point.

No idea if any of these apply to your problems of course, probably not. But
I thought I'd lay out some of the general re-occuring themes I see at every
service pack release.

Rob
MS MVP.

 

[zippy]

For one, it depends on how it was installed. Was it installed on a computer
that was already having problems? Was it installed on a computer with
programs running in the background? It also depends on what programs are
installed on computer. Some programs are not going to be compatible with
SP2 and will have to be updated to work right.

I installed SP2. Beforehand, I ran anti-virus, Adaware, Spybot and
CWshredder to make sure I was clean. I made sure all my drivers were
updated. Than I ran disk cleanup. I also defragged and unchecked everything
in Msconfig so nothing loaded during the next reboot. (I also disconnected
my printer, scanner and camera.) I then proceeded with the install,
defragged again, put everything that I wanted back in Msconfig. So far,
I've had no major problems. The only thing I have noticed different, which
is actually a benefit, is reading these newsgroups the fonts are a little
bit bigger, although they return to normal if I hit reply. My eyes are
getting old and tired, so a little bit bigger font can be a good thing.

 

[Rock]

Sp2 thoughts.

I just can’t understand why people are having so many problems after
Microsoft thoroughly tested it. They even delayed it. I thought they
had alot of testers.


On some computers xp service pack2 rtm install just fine.
On other computers xp service pack2 rtm does not install.

The same software will work on one computer with xp sp2 and on a
another computer with xp sp2 it wont.


Greg R

No offense but isn't it a common sense issue? There are way too many
variables to ensure perfect compatibility for all systems. Seems like
this rollout has been pretty good so far, judging by the volume/nature
of posts with problems and of course people post when they have
problems, not when things are good.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I just can’t understand why people are having so many problems after
Microsoft thoroughly tested it. They even delayed it. I thought they
had alot of testers.

I think a lot turns on what weird combinations of poorly designed third
party software people have installed and left there; probably modifying
the system in order to work at all. The testers are not likely to throw
up some of those combinations; yet the failures generated make
disproportionate noise.

Best advice I can give is if you have *anything* like this such as Style
modifications, system utilities, cosmetic 'improvers' get it
uninstalled first

 

[JCO]

If you go to the Microsoft page, you will see a list of 101 different
software packages that you will have problems with ... after installing sp2.
Not really 101, but it is a long list.

After reading all the things about SP2; I think I will wait until Service
Pack 2a comes out.

 

[Brynk]

do you have a link for "the Microsoft page"?

--
Barry

If you go to the Microsoft page, you will see a list of 101 different
software packages that you will have problems with ... after installing sp2.
Not really 101, but it is a long list.

After reading all the things about SP2; I think I will wait until Service
Pack 2a comes out.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

If you go to the Microsoft page, you will see a list of 101
different
software packages that you will have problems with ... after
installing sp2. Not really 101, but it is a long list.

It is a long list. However I run many of the programs on it and
have had no problems with any of them on either machine here for
the nine days I've had SP2 installed.

In most cases, all that's required is to change a setting in the
firewall or elsewhere to overcome these "problems." In some
cases, not even that was required.

After reading all the things about SP2; I think I will wait
until
Service Pack 2a comes out.

As I said in another reply to you, there won't be an SP2a.

 

[JCO]

Been looking for the past 10 minutes but can't find the page. I will keep
looking.

do you have a link for "the Microsoft page"?

 

[JCO]

I can't even find the list anymore.
It gets more and more difficult searching MS for information.

 

[Gregg Hommel]

The list you refer to are not applications that will not work, but
mainly, ones that require changes to the firewall to allow them to work
properly, or in some cases, that need a reinstall to work properly. I
have/had several of the list installed under SP2, and they all do work,
with a little effort to get them there.

This list of apps "that you will have problems with" is misleading, to
say the least.

Gregg H.

 

[JCO]

Your point is well taken. I need to find the list and review it again.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Barry:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=884130

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

do you have a link for "the Microsoft page"?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Greg;
There is nearly an infinite variety of computers and impossible for
Microsoft or anyone else to test anything in all possible
combinations.
With all the computers in the world no two are identical.
It often amazes me what Microsoft and others can get to work under
such conditions.

 

[Al Smith]

If you go to the Microsoft page, you will see a list of 101 different

software packages that you will have problems with ... after installing sp2.
Not really 101, but it is a long list.

After reading all the things about SP2; I think I will wait until Service
Pack 2a comes out.

Wow. More than 101. I'm lucky, I've only got ZoneAlarm running,
and haven't noticed a problem with it. But then, I haven't used
scandisk or defrag yet.

 

[Edward W. Thompson]

Why do you post either what can charitably described as a gross distortion
and less charitably as a down right lie? What satisfaction does your
attempt to mislead others give?

 

[Brynk]

Thank you, JJ

......I was disappointed to see my version of Quicken listed, but then I came
to all the MS products!

Office?
Word?
Access?
Outlook?
Excel?............

Any idea how come?


--
Barry

Barry:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=884130

 

[Greg R]

Nortons system works pro 2003 does work on my system.

Greg R

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Greg;
Does not work at all?
Or only some part?

Perhaps you should uninstall then install NSW 2003.