Homeuser Downloaded SP2 - IT/Dev Version

I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.

You can install the download without having to worry about any technical
know how.


"elena s" wrote in message
...
I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.

In ,
elena s typed:

I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.


It works fine, is very easy to use, and you don't need to
download anything else.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

If you're not "technically savvy," then you might want to think twice about installing SP2
at this point. Companies with IT personnel have been advised by Microsoft to hold off on
the SP2 upgrade. More than fifty named programs won't work with SP2 without patches or
some "technically savvy" tweaks. If you don't have wireless, and you already have a
firewall, then you probably don't need SP2 anyway. Even the firewall in SP2 isn't a good
enough reason to upgrade. The FREE version of Zone Alarm is a better firewall. It's been
noted that the SP2 firewall didn't detect OE mass emailing caused by a worms. If that
isn't enough to put off installing SP2, you might want to search this group for posts
about problems after SP2 installs, which include everything from missing Status Bars, no
sound, missing CD/DVD drives, to major problems like the system being unable to boot at
all. You might want to wait a few weeks until the initial feedback from the massive
deployment of SP2 gives you more of an idea of what problems you might expect.
--

T.C.

Remove [NoSpam] to reply


"elena s" wrote in message
...
I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004

"t.cruise" wrote in message

If you're not "technically savvy," then you might want to think twice
about installing SP2 at this point. Companies with IT personnel have
been advised by Microsoft to hold off on the SP2 upgrade.

The op is a home user. Not relevant.

More than
fifty named programs won't work with SP2 without patches or some
"technically savvy" tweaks.

Not true at all. Says right on the ms site that some of the named programs
MAY have problems and if they do it's usually because the xp firewall is on
by default. Not that they won't work. I use 10+ of the listed programs and
none has any problems at all. All you need to do in most cases in turn off
the xp firewall and the apps work fine. Sure some may see probs, but not any
different than any other service pack over the last 9 years(since win95).

If you don't have wireless, and you
already have a firewall, then you probably don't need SP2 anyway.

Bad advice. SP2 has many new security features. Behind the scene feautres
and fixes that ALL users need.

Even the firewall in SP2 isn't a good enough reason to upgrade. The
FREE version of Zone Alarm is a better firewall. It's been noted
that the SP2 firewall didn't detect OE mass emailing caused by a
worms. If that isn't enough to put off installing SP2, you might
want to search this group for posts about problems after SP2
installs, which include everything from missing Status Bars, no
sound, missing CD/DVD drives, to major problems like the system being
unable to boot at all. You might want to wait a few weeks until the
initial feedback from the massive deployment of SP2 gives you more of
an idea of what problems you might expect.

Not anything different from other sp's. I always say, if you have a quality
built machine, with quality hardware and drivers, maintain that computer
correctly, protect the computer correctly, and don't install junk
programs(like kazaa and such and all the teen programs), then an update to
sp2 will have zero problems.
IMO, there is no reason not to install sp2 for a home user, especially
newbies or novices. They need it the most.


"elena s" wrote in message
...
I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004

I usually do not get personal in my responses. I'll make an exception in this case. My
advice to be prudent is not as potentially dangerous as your advice to just do it. I read
the news groups on a daily basis. Sure, for many, SP2 won't cause problems. But, for a
number of users it will. The original poster wrote that she wasn't tech savvy, and I
advised to hold off for a while until there's more feedback after the mass deployment of
SP2. I gave the example of companies holding off on deployment, not because I mistakenly
thought that the original poster was not a Home user, but because it was a veiled warning
from Microsoft to companies, to thoroughly test system compatibility before deploying.
Why shouldn't Home users be just as careful? Unfortunately, all users do not have your
definition of a "quality built machine," whatever that is. If one takes your advice to
"maintain and protect the computer correctly," and already has a decent third party
firewall, and a decent Antivirus program with the latest definitions, then the SP2
Security Center is a moot point. As far your statement "SP2 has behind the scenes
features and fixes that ALL users need," I equate that with Microsoft's use of the words
"Critical Update." When some download a Microsoft "Critical Update" it has been know to
cause problems with something else on the system. Microsoft is a bit casual about using
the word CRITICAL when it comes to Windows XP updates. There should be a disclaimer in
parentheses that says: "If you have a good firewall, you might NOT want to install this
update, because you are already protected, and the update itself might potentially cause
problems." I have only downloaded one Windows XP Update, and then found that I didn't
need it because my firewall handled that problem. I have not had any of the problems that
others have had, after they had installed certain Windows XP Updates.


All systems are not equal. All systems will not have the same results with SP2 as you
have had. Many SP2 features are NOT fixes, but annoying band aids, like warning about
attachments, default disabling of images in email, turning off messenger by default, etc..
Gee there's a popup blocker. One can download any number of FREE popup blockers that
aren't packaged with other things that might cause other problems. Am I going to risk any
of the problems that I've read were caused by SP2 just because Microsoft and you say ALL
users need the features? As far as your remark that "newbies and novices need it most":
If newbies/novices run into problems after installing SP2, they are the least likely to be
able to deal with those problems. Do you want to pay the bill for a tech person to fix
the damage, or configure the system to play nice with SP2? Because, newbies/novices would
be less likely to be able to do that on their own. I stand by my advice to wait for the
feedback after the mass deployment of SP2. The recent posts of problems after installing
the final version of the SP2 beta suggest that there will probably be a plethora of SP2
problem posts shortly.

Jokingly, after someone else had added a link to a post
for "Microsoft's 10 Reasons to Install SP2," I responded:

"On the day that Windows XP SP2 is released, number one, in David Letterman's Top 10
Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) will probably be: Because you're
attracted to your local tech person, and don't mind paying for it (the tech support I
mean)."
--

T.C.

Remove [NoSpam] to reply





"Phil" wrote in message
...

"t.cruise" wrote in message

If you're not "technically savvy," then you might want to think twice
about installing SP2 at this point. Companies with IT personnel have
been advised by Microsoft to hold off on the SP2 upgrade.

The op is a home user. Not relevant.

More than
fifty named programs won't work with SP2 without patches or some
"technically savvy" tweaks.

Not true at all. Says right on the ms site that some of the named programs
MAY have problems and if they do it's usually because the xp firewall is on
by default. Not that they won't work. I use 10+ of the listed programs and
none has any problems at all. All you need to do in most cases in turn off
the xp firewall and the apps work fine. Sure some may see probs, but not any
different than any other service pack over the last 9 years(since win95).

If you don't have wireless, and you
already have a firewall, then you probably don't need SP2 anyway.

Bad advice. SP2 has many new security features. Behind the scene feautres
and fixes that ALL users need.

Even the firewall in SP2 isn't a good enough reason to upgrade. The
FREE version of Zone Alarm is a better firewall. It's been noted
that the SP2 firewall didn't detect OE mass emailing caused by a
worms. If that isn't enough to put off installing SP2, you might
want to search this group for posts about problems after SP2
installs, which include everything from missing Status Bars, no
sound, missing CD/DVD drives, to major problems like the system being
unable to boot at all. You might want to wait a few weeks until the
initial feedback from the massive deployment of SP2 gives you more of
an idea of what problems you might expect.

Not anything different from other sp's. I always say, if you have a quality
built machine, with quality hardware and drivers, maintain that computer
correctly, protect the computer correctly, and don't install junk
programs(like kazaa and such and all the teen programs), then an update to
sp2 will have zero problems.
IMO, there is no reason not to install sp2 for a home user, especially
newbies or novices. They need it the most.


"elena s" wrote in message
...
I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004

In ,
t.cruise typed:

My advice to be prudent is not as potentially
dangerous as your advice to just do it. I read the news groups
on a
daily basis. Sure, for many, SP2 won't cause problems. But,
for a
number of users it will.


I think this is a substantial oversimplification, and misleading.

Sure, there are risks with installing SP2. There are risks in
installing any new piece of software, especially if it's a big
major update to an operating system. If SP2 were simply an update
that added non-essential features to Windows, I'd be the first to
agree with you--waiting until it's proved itself would be the
prudent thing to do.

But that's not what SP2 is. SP2 is primarily a security-oriented
update, and it adds important protection to Windows. That means
that failure to install it increases your security risk.

So there's a tradeoff. There are risks in installing it, but
there are also risks in not installing it. Which option holds the
greater risk isn't crystal clear and each of us has to decide for
himself. My view is that SP2 has received extensive testing, and
the risks of installing it are minimal at this point. My personal
experience, having run it here for the past 11 days, bears that
out, but I don't suggest that that experience is broad enough to
prove anything.

Each of us has to decide for himself which alternative provides
the greater risk, but my view is that not installing it does.

Install it now or not, as you see fit, but please don't claim
that your view of not installing it is clearly more prudent than
mine of installing it. My view is that installing it now is the
prudent course, and I'll continue to recommend it to others.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

I want to make a comment. No one has mentioned the amount of disk space
required for the full download of 266 mb. This is a compressed file and when
running it it will setup several directories with lots of files. Be sure you
have the space. The execution file dos not ask where to put this directory.
It just expands it onto an available drive with enough space. I haven't run
it yet just waiting another week or so but reading with interest all the
comments floating about. I wish rhere was a special newsgroup set up for
sp2.

--
Regards,


"elena s" wrote in message
...
I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.

"bullwinkel J. Moose" wrote in message
...
[snip]

I wish rhere was a special newsgroup set up for
sp2.

There is -- you might like this site:
http://communities.microsoft.com/new...xpsp2&slcid=us

Ma No

"t.cruise" wrote in message

I usually do not get personal in my responses. I'll make an
exception in this case. My advice to be prudent is not as
potentially dangerous as your advice to just do it. I read the news
groups on a daily basis. Sure, for many, SP2 won't cause problems.
But, for a number of users it will. The original poster wrote that
she wasn't tech savvy, and I advised to hold off for a while until
there's more feedback after the mass deployment of SP2.

The technically challenged need the most help with security and sp2 will
help them with that.

I gave the
example of companies holding off on deployment, not because I
mistakenly thought that the original poster was not a Home user, but
because it was a veiled warning from Microsoft to companies, to
thoroughly test system compatibility before deploying. Why shouldn't
Home users be just as careful?

Sure home users can be careful. Backup your stuff, have system restore on,
let the sp2 install backup the files so you can uninstall it if you have
problems.

Unfortunately, all users do not have
your definition of a "quality built machine," whatever that is. If
one takes your advice to "maintain and protect the computer
correctly," and already has a decent third party firewall, and a
decent Antivirus program with the latest definitions, then the SP2
Security Center is a moot point.

The monitoring on the security center is a neat option for the technically
challenged.

As far your statement "SP2 has
behind the scenes features and fixes that ALL users need," I equate
that with Microsoft's use of the words "Critical Update." When some
download a Microsoft "Critical Update" it has been know to cause
problems with something else on the system. Microsoft is a bit
casual about using the word CRITICAL when it comes to Windows XP
updates. There should be a disclaimer in parentheses that says: "If
you have a good firewall, you might NOT want to install this update,
because you are already protected, and the update itself might
potentially cause problems." I have only downloaded one Windows XP
Update, and then found that I didn't need it because my firewall
handled that problem. I have not had any of the problems that others
have had, after they had installed certain Windows XP Updates.

Hard for me to comment on that as I never have problems with windows updates
on my machines or any machines I take care of. But I'm sure the good
installs are far more common than the problems. I cannot remember anytime
when a critical update messed up my system. Once the old video card I had
didn't like DX9, but that's not even a critical update and it was because
the card was too old.

All systems are not equal. All systems will not have the same
results with SP2 as you have had. Many SP2 features are NOT fixes,
but annoying band aids, like warning about attachments, default
disabling of images in email, turning off messenger by default, etc..
Gee there's a popup blocker.

Newbies need to have their hands held, what can I say.

One can download any number of FREE
popup blockers that aren't packaged with other things that might
cause other problems. Am I going to risk any of the problems that
I've read were caused by SP2 just because Microsoft and you say ALL
users need the features? As far as your remark that "newbies and
novices need it most": If newbies/novices run into problems after
installing SP2, they are the least likely to be able to deal with
those problems. Do you want to pay the bill for a tech person to fix
the damage, or configure the system to play nice with SP2? Because,
newbies/novices would be less likely to be able to do that on their
own.

They can either learn to fix their tool or they can pay me to fix it for
them. Or any of the millions of computer repair shops. When you don't change
the oil in your car(proper maintenance) and the engine breaks down you
either fix it yourself, or bring it to a shop. All things need repair people
and all repair people need customers. Works out nice.

I stand by my advice to wait for the feedback after the mass
deployment of SP2. The recent posts of problems after installing the
final version of the SP2 beta suggest that there will probably be a
plethora of SP2 problem posts shortly.

Come on you know how newsgroups work. All you see is the problems. No one
posts to say how great sp2 install was(or rarely). Unless you have real hard
statistics I have a hard time believing that sp2 is causing all that many
problems or will cause that many. Sure their will be some, the group may see
a rush of posts, but all in all I'll bet it's just fine for most.


Jokingly, after someone else had added a link to a post
for "Microsoft's 10 Reasons to Install SP2," I responded:

"On the day that Windows XP SP2 is released, number one, in David
Letterman's Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
will probably be: Because you're attracted to your local tech
person, and don't mind paying for it (the tech support I mean)."

"Phil" wrote in message
...

"t.cruise" wrote in message

If you're not "technically savvy," then you might want to think
twice about installing SP2 at this point. Companies with IT
personnel have been advised by Microsoft to hold off on the SP2
upgrade.

The op is a home user. Not relevant.

More than
fifty named programs won't work with SP2 without patches or some
"technically savvy" tweaks.

Not true at all. Says right on the ms site that some of the named
programs MAY have problems and if they do it's usually because the
xp firewall is on by default. Not that they won't work. I use 10+ of
the listed programs and none has any problems at all. All you need
to do in most cases in turn off the xp firewall and the apps work
fine. Sure some may see probs, but not any different than any other
service pack over the last 9 years(since win95).

If you don't have wireless, and you
already have a firewall, then you probably don't need SP2 anyway.

Bad advice. SP2 has many new security features. Behind the scene
feautres and fixes that ALL users need.

Even the firewall in SP2 isn't a good enough reason to upgrade. The
FREE version of Zone Alarm is a better firewall. It's been noted
that the SP2 firewall didn't detect OE mass emailing caused by a
worms. If that isn't enough to put off installing SP2, you might
want to search this group for posts about problems after SP2
installs, which include everything from missing Status Bars, no
sound, missing CD/DVD drives, to major problems like the system
being unable to boot at all. You might want to wait a few weeks
until the initial feedback from the massive deployment of SP2 gives
you more of an idea of what problems you might expect.

Not anything different from other sp's. I always say, if you have a
quality built machine, with quality hardware and drivers, maintain
that computer correctly, protect the computer correctly, and don't
install junk programs(like kazaa and such and all the teen
programs), then an update to sp2 will have zero problems.
IMO, there is no reason not to install sp2 for a home user,
especially newbies or novices. They need it the most.


"elena s" wrote in message
...
I know that MS told home users not to download SP2 (the
270MB IT/Developer version) without using Windows Update
but I did it anyway (because I wanted a copy of it for
backup). My question now is will it work normally without
too much expertise or do I really need to download another
SP2 using Windows Update? I am not very technically savvy
and will wait for an answer before I start installing SP2.
Thanks in advance.

Elena S.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004

In ,
bullwinkel J. Moose typed:

I wish rhere was a special newsgroup set up for sp2.


Not me. We'd end up with most of the SP2 traffic posted *both* in
that special newsgroup and here.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup