XP SP2 Update

[Guest]

The Windows Update site indicates that XP SP2 is ready to be downloaded to my
machine but can only be delivered by Automatic Updates. I have AU turned on
and set to automatically download and install, set the time, and waited... at
that set time SP2 did try to download. After a couple hours (on DSL) it had
reached 59% but then MSN Messenger 6.2 tried to update and somehow cancelled
the SP2 update. I keep resetting the time on AU (Automatic Updates) to the
next hour but it isn't downloading anything now. Has anyone found a way
other than AU to download XP SP2?

 

[Jordan]

The Windows Update site indicates that XP SP2 is ready to be
downloaded to my machine but can only be delivered by Automatic
Updates. I have AU turned on and set to automatically download and
install, set the time, and waited... at that set time SP2 did try to
download. After a couple hours (on DSL) it had reached 59% but then
MSN Messenger 6.2 tried to update and somehow cancelled the SP2
update. I keep resetting the time on AU (Automatic Updates) to the
next hour but it isn't downloading anything now. Has anyone found a
way other than AU to download XP SP2?

You can download SP2 from the link below:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals
and Developers

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

 

[Guest]

Is this the same version as the "consumer/end user" version that will
eventually be on Automatic Updates and Windows Update?

 

[James D]

According to the Microsoft website, you may want to be sure which type you
need before downloading.

"DO NOT CLICK DOWNLOAD IF YOU ARE UPDATING JUST ONE COMPUTER: A smaller,
more appropriate download will be available soon on Windows Update. To
receive this download, turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP
to receive an optimized download of SP2. Please visit Protect Your PC for
more information on receiving Windows XP SP2. "

 

[Jordan]

Yes it is. It's bigger because it includes every update some of which you
most likely already have. But the bottom line is that it's the same end user
SP2 that people will get through AU.

 

[Jordan]

MS is simply trying to conserve bandwidth. SP2 is the same whether you get
it through Automatic Updates or from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the clarification. I started the download -- it is over 250 MB
and looks like it will take close to three hours to download. I do have
multiple computers to install it to so I guess it's not a waste of MS
bandwidth.

 

[James D]

Not to agrue the point Jordan, but why do they say "..for IT Professionals
and Developers
"?

 

[Jordan]

Not to agrue the point Jordan, but why do they say "..for IT
Professionals and Developers
"?

So they could easily deploy SP2 across a network.

 

[Dick Kistler]

So they could easily deploy SP2 across a network.

Just like the OP is going to do. It is clearly the way to go for him.

If you read the posts on this newsgroup, you will find that MANY
have downloaded and installed the Network Install and had no problem.

The advantages of installing the full package are:

1. Not only do you get the files you don't already have, you get a
refresh of the files that you already have.

2. If you are installing to more than one computer, you only have
one download. And you can burn it to CD and never have to
download it again.

3. You can use the Network Install to slipstream with your original
XP install disk to make an XP SP2 install disk, so that if you
need to reinstall XP at some future date, you will have SP2
installed at the same time.

4. The Network Install was available on Aug 9. If you had gotten
it then and installed, all the hand wringing, and most of the transition
to the SP2 would be over. Of course, you can't do that now.

Hope this helps.

Dick Kistler