System Name Change

[DaSe]

Hi guys...
Just a question of the name change. I'm using Windows Vista 32 bit without any service packs. Quite a few application demand that you install SP 1 & Service Pack 2 - which is time consuming. How ( and is it possible ) could I change the system edition name to "Windows Vista Service Pack 2" without installations ? I mean the system name in my computer / properties / system ( windows edition ). Regards. Thanks for any comments.

P.S. Even when you install all the updates separately without installing SP2 the applications that demand SP2 won't install...hence my question.

 

[58sniper]

You're kidding, right? Did you stop to think that the application might require components in SP2?

You don't have to install SP1 if you're installing SP2.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[DaSe]

Hi - ok that's why I explained below as a post scriptum. Let me explain. SP1 or SP2 contains packs of updates where most of them can be downloaded seperately. Even you do it the system info won't change and some applications like IE 9 beta won't install. I am not talking obviously about applications that are dependent on Service Packs but IE is a small app and all it need is just some updates I guess. Notheless it won't install if the SP2 won't be in system info...I assume - am I wrong ? Correct if I am..thanks.

 

[DaSe]

And by the way...yes you must install SP1 first to install SP2 mista Sniper.

 

[kmcferrin]

Hi - ok that's why I explained below as a post scriptum. Let me explain. SP1 or SP2 contains packs of updates where most of them can be downloaded seperately. Even you do it the system info won't change and some applications like IE 9 beta won't install. I am not talking obviously about applications that are dependent on Service Packs but IE is a small app and all it need is just some updates I guess. Notheless it won't install if the SP2 won't be in system info...I assume - am I wrong ? Correct if I am..thanks.

A few points:

1. You're asking Vista questions in a Server 2008 discussion group.

2. Pat is an MVP, so I'm pretty sure that he knows what a Windows Service Pack is.

3. A Service Pack isn't just a collection of bug fixes, they also introduce new features and capabilities that applications depend on.

4. Not all features and capabilities released in a service pack are always available via downloading individual patches. For example, look at the Windows Firewall that was shipped in Windows XP SP2. There was no way to get it without installed the full service pack.

5. He is 100% correct in saying that if your application **REQUIRES** specific revision of the OS then you need to install that revision.

6. IE9 is not a small program, like most versions of IE that came before it is deeply integrated with the operating system. Considering that it now has GPU acceleration capabilities I would say that it probably is even more integrated with the OS than previous versions.

Even if you were able to trick the installer into thinking that you were running Vista SP2 when you weren't, it is extremely likely that the installer or application itself would fail when it tried to utilize an SP2 component that is not present on your system.

In short, buck up and install the service packs if you want the features that they unlock.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[58sniper]

Actually, in taking a quick look, Vista seems to be the one Microsoft product I can find that requires SP1 before installing SP2... strange. Usually they are cumulative. But kmcferrin is otherwise correct.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[DaSe]

Ok guys...it was not my intention to lift anyone's competence. I know you're experts that's why I was asking you ( I know it's a server forum by the way ). And yes...the apps will hang / crash but I wanted to change system info to SP2 without any installations...and I managed to do it guys. I modified HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE keys and now it shows SP2. This is what I was asking for. I also managed to install IE9 in this case and it started. It won't be able to install anyway - 'cuz as you say there are no components for it. But I just wanted to know whether you can even start to do it - and yes you can. Max thank you both guys.

 

[DaSe]

P.S. I managed to start installation of IE9 - that is.