Warning on downloading of XP SP-2

[dicky109]

Just a word to the wise who are thinking of downloading the Windows XP SP-2. My adult son did so on his new Dell Laptop, and it crashed the system. Can't even be brought into Safe Mode.

He spent several hours on the phone with a MS tech support person to no avail. At this point, he's probably facing a complete reformat, then reinstall of XP and everything else on his system.

I think I'll wait to download this new, improvement from the wizards at MS!

[Tom W]

It is a huge file - 272 Mb!

I downloaded it from microsoft and then installed it separately. I don't like installing directly off the net.

[jukas]

I wouldn't be in any hurry to put SP2 on a production machine just yet. It trashed one of my machines on a upgrade, and I ended up having to completely reformat and install XP with SP2 cleanly.

[robertwgross]

Don't be silly. You don't think that Microsoft would release something that isn't ready for prime time, do you? Errr, ignore that.

---Bob Gross---

[Conk]

I downloaded the service pack a couple days ago and am having no problems at all. Mind you, I installed it on a completely new notebook only 1 week old. I suppose there would be nothing on it yet for the service pack to have a problem with.

[Jon]

I'm running it successfully on 3 laptops so far. Haven't loaded it on the home tower yet, but that sees a lot less use, including on-line.

[Big_B]

Just a word to the wise who are thinking of downloading the Windows XP SP-2. My adult son did so on his new Dell Laptop, and it crashed the system. Can't even be brought into Safe Mode.

He spent several hours on the phone with a MS tech support person to no avail. At this point, he's probably facing a complete reformat, then reinstall of XP and everything else on his system.

I think I'll wait to download this new, improvement from the wizards at MS!

Was halfway through downloading it when I read your post. Decided to go ahead with it and have survived...... so far :evil:

[Sketcher]

It's running on three of five in my SOHO. It crashed my 4th and had to recover via recovery console (no data loss).

I suggest anyone interested in applying the update check out Microsofts known issues, browse a few of the disgruntled user resolution threads, make sure you have your XP install disks/licenses and above all else BACKUP ALL YOUR DATA!.

Other than that - I like the functionality I've seen thus far.

[Jesper]

Something that might be of interest for experienced computer users:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=49ae8576-9bb9-4126-9761-ba8011fabf38&displaylang=en)
The Windows Support Tools for Microsoft Windows XP are intended for use by Microsoft support personnel and experienced users to assist in diagnosing and resolving computer problems.

If you feel like hacking around with your WinXP SP2 computer, these tools might be interesting.

[Jemmind]

When my computer asked me if I wanted to download SP-2 I said yes, that was three days ago, and if i put my cursor over the Windows update icon its says : Downloading updates: 0%
for three days and also I have DSL so I'm always online.
Julie

[slejhamer]

No problem installing it on my main computer. But when I tried it on our other computer, it could no longer connect to the wireless network - even with the new Windows firewall turned off! I uninstalled it on the 2nd computer and it works fine again. I think I'll leave it off ...

[PacAce]

When my computer asked me if I wanted to download SP-2 I said yes, that was three days ago, and if i put my cursor over the Windows update icon its says : Downloading updates: 0%
for three days and also I have DSL so I'm always online.
Julie

You must be a very patient person, Julie. I would have given up on it after 3 hours! :shock:

[Tom W]

When my computer asked me if I wanted to download SP-2 I said yes, that was three days ago, and if i put my cursor over the Windows update icon its says : Downloading updates: 0%
for three days and also I have DSL so I'm always online.
Julie

Did you click {{OK}}? :) :D

[Tom W]

Mine install went in fine on the desktop. The laptop installation was clean as well, except that I had to fiddle with the internet settings a little afterword. The update kept my dialup, but it apparently forgot that I also access the internet on the network at home.

BTW, I downloaded and then installed. Much easier to deal with for a large update like this, particularly with 2 computers.

[Big_B]

When my computer asked me if I wanted to download SP-2 I said yes, that was three days ago, and if i put my cursor over the Windows update icon its says : Downloading updates: 0%
for three days and also I have DSL so I'm always online.
Julie


I had the same problem. Its now available on the windows update website - I downloaded it from there.

[Conk]

I have since had to uninstall the service pack. The drivers for the hotkeys on my notebook sprouted legs.
My advice, if your system is running fine, leave it alone!

[PJ]

I just go my computer back today from the shop after a lightning bolt decided to find it's way into my house's electrical system all the way to my motherboard. R.I.P

When I picked it up from the shop the tech's said to wait on installing SP 2. I got home and read their service notes. It said they installed SP 2. WTF. Luckly nothing bad has happened yet.


No problem installing it on my main computer. But when I tried it on our other computer, it could no longer connect to the wireless network - even with the new Windows firewall turned off! I uninstalled it on the 2nd computer and it works fine again. I think I'll leave it off ...

Slejhamer, I had the same problem. What I did to fix it was move my wireless adapter reciever to another usb port and it worked fine.

[tpinchback]

the sp2 made some of my usb ports stop working.

[Jemmind]

I had the same problem. Its now available on the windows update website - I downloaded it from there.


I first tried to get it from the site and it said only available from Automatic update, but I opened IE last night (I usually use Mozilla) and used the Windows update and it let me do it from there.

I read an article in PC Magazine that says "..it should be considered a must have update" and there is a long article about it. In fact the headline on the cover is "The New Windows XP Service Pac 2: Why You Must Upgrade and Longhorn: The Latest News on What's Ahead."
(Longhorn is the next big upgrade in Windows, probably released in 2006-2007.)

Well hopefully this newest patch will help keep my computer more secure, as I had to completly wipe my computer and start over a few months ago as a result of a worm from some website. That's why I only use IE very rarely. For some reason Mozilla won't let me login to my bank account, but I can using IE. That's about all I use it for anymore. IE is the devil :twisted: :wink:



Julie

[defordphoto]

I upgraded my Dell desktop, Dimension 8100, with a non-Dell upgraded CPU with no issues whatsoever.

[ilya]

so allllll this is for what practical benefits?

[Jesper]

so allllll this is for what practical benefits?

From Microsoft's website: Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx)

Decide for yourself if you want SP2 or not.....

[Jemmind]

Also from PC MAgazine:
http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1738,2878,00.asp
Julie

[eric1]

my install went off without a hitch.

[slejhamer]

Slejhamer, I had the same problem. What I did to fix it was move my wireless adapter reciever to another usb port and it worked fine.

Thanks for your suggestion, PJ. Unfortunately my receiver is an internal card, so swapping USB ports is not an option for me. :cry:

From my point of view, #10 on microsoft's list is a bit of a joke:

" Go wireless without the hassle. SP2 improves wireless support and simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks in your home or on the road." :x

[Conk]

Slejhamer, I had the same problem. What I did to fix it was move my wireless adapter receiver to another usb port and it worked fine.

Thanks for your suggestion, PJ. Unfortunately my receiver is an internal card, so swapping USB ports is not an option for me. :cry:

From my point of view, #10 on microsoft's list is a bit of a joke:

" Go wireless without the hassle. SP2 improves wireless support and simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks in your home or on the road." :x

I believe what you may have to do is reconfigure your wireless connection. The dialog windows all look different and act differently after the service pack install. To tell you the truth, I liked the way it worked but I ended up with drivers missing to operate the function keys on my notebook. I got rid of it before I found more things missing or screwed up. I installed the service pack on a notebook 1 week old. Not too much should have been wrong at this point.

[mttmrphy]

My desktop seems to be taking the patch well... my laptop however has lost some functions. I e-mailed HP and was told to uninstall the service pack until they resolved the issues. I did and my laptop still does not work correctly. I will be extremely PO'd if I have to format!

[slejhamer]

I believe what you may have to do is reconfigure your wireless connection.

Yeah, I'm sure that's right ... but it took 5 hours on the phone with Netgear's technical support to get wireless security set up the first time, and I just don't feel like dealing with it...

The odd thing is that on the main computer, with SP2 installed, I have both a hardware firewall and the new SP2 Windows firewall, and the remote PC has no trouble connecting to the network. It's only when I install SP2 on the remote PC that I can't connect at all, regardless of whether the new Windows firewall is on or off.

Thanks for the suggestion though. :)

[billhercus]

There is a considerable amount of caution being advised in the national and computer press here about this upgrade. Best advice seems to be to wait a few weeks until at least the major bugs are fixed - and it is buggy!!

[Conk]

Yeah, I'm sure that's right ... but it took 5 hours on the phone with Netgear's technical support to get wireless security set up the first time, and I just don't feel like dealing with it...

I sure know what you mean. Sometimes you get a good tech that will whip you through the processes in no time but not very often.

[Conk]

My desktop seems to be taking the patch well... my laptop however has lost some functions. I e-mailed HP and was told to uninstall the service pack until they resolved the issues. I did and my laptop still does not work correctly. I will be extremely PO'd if I have to format!

I spoke to Toshiba and they resolved my issue of non-functioning keys well. I had to sit on hold for a long while but when the tech returned, the directions were the cats meow.
I had to uninstall the service pack in safe mode. Next, my function keys driver was missing, so in order for the driver to even work for that I had to install a main driver that all the others need in order to run. I believe it was "Common drivers". Next, after installing that one I was able to install the function keys driver and all works.
Try talking to H.P's tech support and mention this. He'll help you look through your system to see if the drivers exist to your non-function items on your computer.

[JZaun]

I got SP2 today, even with cable it took almost a hour to down load and install.

:lol: :lol: :lol: SP2 IE pop up blocker blocked my Comcast e-mail until I figured how to allow it :D :D Wow thought I crashed the system for a while. Tried Firefox and it worked so knew it was in IE.. So far so good!

I still like my home page using firefox better. It is just more user friendly!!!

JZ

[drisley]

I've been running SP2 RTM Final for 2 weeks without a single hitch.

[peter/c]

MY SP2 downloaded itself on automatic updates and I had all kinds of problems, my system went into 4 bit graphics or something, anyway the display went haywire.I restored using system restore and again SP2 downloaded. Then I kept getting annoying pop-ups about no firewall protection. This is despite the fact I have My own firewall and altered all the settings to tell it so! To stop the damn thing downloading I have had to permanent turn off auto-updates which is something I did not like doing.
IF it ain't broke DON'T FIX IT is My Motto now!

[jgbeam]

I don't even install their "automatic upgrades" anymore. The first time I let one go through it messed me up for a few days. :cry:

Jim

[evilenglishman]

works 100% on my desktop.

[theflyingkiwi]

Wel I am running SP2, on my desktop and my laptop and have no problems on both machines.

I did turn off the firewall as I am using another one all together.