XP Service Pack 2

[AGA]

What exactly is the problem with XP SP 2. Is it safe to Apply or Only Apply IF necessary.

 

[linney]

The SP2 questions seem to be receding in this forum which would suggest that most people have either not installed it or are not having too many problems with it (the latter I think). Try installing on a few test machines.

For information about using a temporary installation block or to see if the block applies to your system, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx

Note. That Web site also provides information about how to remove the block if you installed it manually.

For other SP2 help try this site.

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#General

 

[bcastner]

My own feeling is that SP2 is far less problematic than SP1 was at the same time in its introduction. A Forum such as this one tends to show problems rather than successes with any software or hardware product, and as a consequence more time is given to problems and their resolutions. It does not provide a balanced view of Service Pack 2.

I am developing my own "must do" checklist for installing SP2, and perhaps my thoughts at the moment will help:

1. Install Recovery Console, and test that you can access it.

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...efault.aspx?scid=kb;en-gb;307654&ln=en-gb

At the present time you cannot install Recovery Console after installing SP2.

Post-installation, make these two Group Policy / regedit changes:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310497

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/1289/

2. Service Pack 2 is not a repair for your XP system. If you have underlying hardware or software issues resolve them prior to an SP2 install.

Check your Event Viewer and see if there is a persistent issue that is unresolved. If you have problems with your machine Blue Screening or freezing, Service Pack 2 is not going to fix it and likely will make the problem worse.

3. SP2 is intolerant of malware - adware, spyware, trojans, viruses, etc. Have a system clean of any such issues by testing it: see faq608-4650 for manual steps you can take.

4. Check the web site of the manufacturer of your system. Are you current with all BIOS upgrades, drivers, and any SP2 related patches? Post-SP2 is a bad time to discover you are missing a critical BIOS upgrade.

5. Go to the Windows Update site and apply any Hotfixes, Rollups or Security patches it recommends - other than SP2. Reboot and go back to Windows Update -- you want it to prompt you to install SP2. Do not do so at this time, but you want the behind the scenes readiness tests to be conducted on your system so that Windows Update is convinced you are now ready for SP2.

Your actual install of SP2 should be with a download of the full "Network" install image, or from the widely available SP2 CD.

6. Print out:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350&product=windowsxpsp2

Now install Service Pack 2.