SP2 automatic update with applications still running.

[Peter]

Ok, my experience as a network admin has thaught me that it's always
advicable to close every non-windows program/process that's running in the
background before you add any windows updates. Even the full version of SP2
will advice you to do so.
So now let's say that I'm the average user who has several programs running,
like virus scanner, non windows firewall, backup software, anti spyware.
etc.
What I understand is that automatic updates will automatically update on a
live system. Now that worries me a bit. Updating with several programs
running (user might even left IE or OE open) and that should work without a
problem? I have my doubts. Are there more people who share this same
opinion?
Btw, I don't know if it's correct, but haven't I read somewhere that SP2
offers the option to update the downloaded files during boot time? Now that
would be great solution.

Thanks

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

I too, espouse exactly the same advice. However, as a test today (to
replicate what is actually done by the majority of users), I installed the
final release of SP2 today on a system while I worked from it, with AV and
firewall in full residence, and running multiple programs. Totally contrary
to everything I've been taught, and that I've learned the "hard way"....

SP2 did not sputter, cough, hesitate, or anything else. It set itself up,
ran the updates "behind the scenes" for the most part, and prompted for
reboot at the end. I cancelled and went about working some more. Saved some
files, read more email, answered some posts, installed some additional
software, etc.. Finally, I rebooted the system to allow setup to complete.

You know what? It went off without a hitch. Not one single problem on the 7
different machines I did today. Granted, I don't recommend doing it this
way, but I no longer worry too much about it downloading and installing in
the background.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"Peter" > wrote in message
.. .
> Ok, my experience as a network admin has thaught me that it's always
> advicable to close every non-windows program/process that's running in the
> background before you add any windows updates. Even the full version of
> SP2 will advice you to do so.
> So now let's say that I'm the average user who has several programs
> running, like virus scanner, non windows firewall, backup software, anti
> spyware. etc.
> What I understand is that automatic updates will automatically update on a
> live system. Now that worries me a bit. Updating with several programs
> running (user might even left IE or OE open) and that should work without
> a problem? I have my doubts. Are there more people who share this same
> opinion?
> Btw, I don't know if it's correct, but haven't I read somewhere that SP2
> offers the option to update the downloaded files during boot time? Now
> that would be great solution.
>
> Thanks
>

[PA Bear]

SP2 may download automatically, depending on your AU settings, but it will
not install automatically. As you must approve the EULA, this added step
gives you time to disable AV and all other running Windows-based
applications. I urge you to do so.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

WinXP SP2 Release Notes
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;835935

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org

Peter wrote:
> Ok, my experience as a network admin has thaught me that it's always
> advicable to close every non-windows program/process that's running in the
> background before you add any windows updates. Even the full version of
> SP2 will advice you to do so.
> So now let's say that I'm the average user who has several programs
> running, like virus scanner, non windows firewall, backup software, anti
> spyware. etc.
> What I understand is that automatic updates will automatically update on a
> live system. Now that worries me a bit. Updating with several programs
> running (user might even left IE or OE open) and that should work without
> a problem? I have my doubts. Are there more people who share this same
> opinion?
> Btw, I don't know if it's correct, but haven't I read somewhere that SP2
> offers the option to update the downloaded files during boot time? Now
> that would be great solution.
>
> Thanks

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Peter wrote:

> Ok, my experience as a network admin has thaught me that it's always
> advicable to close every non-windows program/process that's running in the
> background before you add any windows updates. Even the full version of SP2
> will advice you to do so.
> So now let's say that I'm the average user who has several programs running,
> like virus scanner, non windows firewall, backup software, anti spyware.
> etc.
> What I understand is that automatic updates will automatically update on a
> live system. Now that worries me a bit. Updating with several programs
> running (user might even left IE or OE open) and that should work without a
> problem? I have my doubts. Are there more people who share this same
> opinion?
> Btw, I don't know if it's correct, but haven't I read somewhere that SP2
> offers the option to update the downloaded files during boot time? Now that
> would be great solution.
Hi

Even when using automatic update, the SP installation wizard will run
where a dialog box is stating that before you install the update, it is
recommended that you back up your system and close all open programs.


--
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx

[Peter]

> Hi,
>
> I too, espouse exactly the same advice. However, as a test today (to
> replicate what is actually done by the majority of users), I installed the
> final release of SP2 today on a system while I worked from it, with AV and
> firewall in full residence, and running multiple programs. Totally
> contrary to everything I've been taught, and that I've learned the "hard
> way"....
>
> SP2 did not sputter, cough, hesitate, or anything else. It set itself up,
> ran the updates "behind the scenes" for the most part, and prompted for
> reboot at the end. I cancelled and went about working some more. Saved
> some files, read more email, answered some posts, installed some
> additional software, etc.. Finally, I rebooted the system to allow setup
> to complete.
>
> You know what? It went off without a hitch. Not one single problem on the
> 7 different machines I did today. Granted, I don't recommend doing it this
> way, but I no longer worry too much about it downloading and installing in
> the background.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Funny that you say that, because I have the same experience. I was eager to
know what kind of problems I could expect before I plan to use SP2 on
production machines.
I have a PC with lots of software on it (many also related to the things
that have changed with SP2) and I have no problem whatsever (yes, I did have
a Ghost copy incase things would go wrong ha!). Like you I'm quite amazed.
I wouldn't not advice this to anyone though (I know history).

[Alex Nichol]

Peter wrote:

>Ok, my experience as a network admin has thaught me that it's always
>advicable to close every non-windows program/process that's running in the
>background before you add any windows updates. Even the full version of SP2
>will advice you to do so.
>So now let's say that I'm the average user who has several programs running,
>like virus scanner, non windows firewall, backup software, anti spyware.
>etc.

While it is better to turn these things off, it does not seem that vital
in this case, if they are at all well behaved (I make no guarantees on
Symantec stuff , where they always say compatibility problems are
Microsoft's fault, never theirs). I have done installations of SP2 with
eTrust AV and Zone Alarm running, though I would *advise* turning them
off and disconnecting from the net in advance. The methods now used by
update do almost all the replacing of files at the point of final
reboot. Only thing I would think *likely* to give trouble is someone
doing a separate installation or upgrade in the middle of the process.

Just on grounds of time though I would not do it from Windows Update on
a dial up, and if on broadband would prefer to download the 'complete'
file and burn it to CD against another occasion


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)