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Is there a sense install this SP2 at all??

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by kenton, 2004/09/10.

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  1. 2004/09/10
    kenton

    kenton Inactive Thread Starter

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    I installed Windows XP on the new machine, then install SP2 from CDROM. This SP2 looks very huge, 270MEG. Is there a sense install this SP2 at all?? The some specialists assert, that this SP2 can affect on system stability, some programs can lose efficiency at all. I have not installed ms Office yet.
     
    kenton,
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  2. 2004/09/10
    Jerry Greenberg

    Jerry Greenberg Inactive

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    From what I am hearing, there are a lot of problems with Sp2. I know of many people that had to uninstall it. I would leave it alone for now to see what is going to be changed with it. Most of Sp2's design is for security issues.

    Make sure you are running a good firewall if you are on a high speed connection. From what I have experienced, a hardware firewall is the best for high speed. XP's networking properties also has a firewall option, but I have not tried it with a high speed modem.

    If you are using a dialup connection, you can activate the dialup firewall option in XP.

    I tested XP's firewall with a dialup connection. It is fairly good. But, I have not tested it with a high speed modem.

    Jerry Greenberg
     
    Jerry Greenberg,
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  4. 2004/09/10
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    " then install SP2 from CDROM "

    Did you install SP2 oe not?
     
    Steve R Jones,
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  5. 2004/09/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    kenton,

    That is the size of the install CD, not the size of the installation on Your computer.

    The size increase from installing SP2 may vary, depending on how SP2 is installed and what is done to certain folders afterwards.

    See Several test installations of SP2 on the same hardware for indications on how "huge" it will become.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2004/09/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    kenton,

    Yes, installing SP2 makes a lot of sense.

    1) It actually makes Windows XP a better operating system.

    2) It is not certain that future updates will be released for non-SP2 in the long run.

    If You are uncertain that Your computer will "survive" SP2, do a few checks:

    1) Check Some programs seem to stop working after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 and if You find any of Your applications there, wait a while to see if a fix is in the process.

    2) Do a system overhaul by cleaning out all temp folders, including the Temporary Internet Files folder.

    3) Defragment the system partition.

    4) Backup all user data, either to a different partition, a different harddisk or removable media (CDs/DVDs).

    5) If You have any imaging software, create an image of the system partition.

    6) If You don't have an imaging software, turn System Restore off and on again. Make sure that a Restore Point gets created, either automatically or manually.

    Cross Your fingers and do the deed ...... ;) ...... the odds are with You!

    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2004/09/10
    Christer,
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  7. 2004/09/10
    kenton

    kenton Inactive Thread Starter

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    Yes, it was definitely wrong decision to install this "SP2" on my box.
    I install it, from installation package on CDROM, but that was downloaded from MS site. Enormous size. Most of SP2's design is for security issues, not system improvement. There are ISP router, firewall, so thats no big sense for me.
    SP2 definitely cannot improve system work, but probably can make it work unstable. Enormous size addins. Any subsequent additions always only worsen an initial idea. Sure, it will worsen work of the some applications, no doubt!
     
    kenton,
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  8. 2004/09/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    kenton,

    I'm sorry to hear that!

    That's a bit confusing, do I understand it correctly, that You downloaded Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers and burned to a CD?

    I chose that download (but in swedish) and installed from the download folder on the HDD. I burned to a CD too, enabling me to help less fortunate friends who aren't on broadband.

    When installing on other computers, I always copy the SP2 install file to the HDD and do not install from the CD. It has been mentioned that people who save the SP2 install file on the desktop are experiencing problems, it has to go in a separate folder on the HDD.

    It's not clear how You installed SP2 but it may be part of Your problem.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  9. 2004/09/10
    Welshjim

    Welshjim Inactive

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    kenton--I understand you have/had XP SP1 on your machine. What might help is to either set Automatic Updates to notify you when SP2 is available or go to Windows Update and see if you can download it from there. In either case the size of the download will be much smaller because it will be tailored to what is needed for your PC. Perhaps the CD is offering you too much.
     
    Welshjim,
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  10. 2004/09/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Jim,

    I don't think so. I believe that an on-line installation from Windows Update picks what is needed from a server, similar to the CD - contents wise. The difference is that the off-line installation picks what is needed from the downloaded setup file or from the CD.

    This is pure speculation but if I'm wrong ...... :eek: ...... then the install engine isn't very bright either!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  11. 2004/09/11
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Most people do not have any problems installing SP2, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
     
    Arie,
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  12. 2004/09/11
    Welshjim

    Welshjim Inactive

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    Welshjim,
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  13. 2004/09/11
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

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    To insure an error free installation of the downloaded Service Pack 2, there are a few important steps to take.
    Go to Start\Run and type in Msconfig and press Enter. Click on the Startup tab, and uncheck everything there. Then click on the Services tab, look down for the check box for 'Hide Microsoft Services' and put a check there. Then uncheck everything that is left over. Most AV programs has some services [Norton can have 5 items] starting here, and any part of a AV program can cause problems.
    When you reboot, your current firewall and AV programs should not be loading.
    I did this and had no problems at all, and this is on a dual boot 98SE/XP.
     
    markp62,
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  14. 2004/09/12
    kenton

    kenton Inactive Thread Starter

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    After installation of SP2 I defrag a harddisk. The statistics shown, that one sector cannot be moved(green sector). Why? SP2 has been installed on a fresh Windows installation, no any programs are installed yet.
     
    kenton,
    #13
  15. 2004/09/12
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

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    That is your windows swap file, and windows never has liked anything moving it around since Win 3.1 in my memory.
     
    markp62,
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  16. 2004/09/13
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

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    Most people (and this does include me) are finding XP with SP2 to be faster and more stable than earlier versions. Especially doing as you have with a fresh OS load, it should do well.

    I did not have security concerns when I ran SP1 on XP-pro because I had things locked down pretty well. I installed SP2 for the other enhancements and have been very happy with the results.
     
    Newt,
    #15
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