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#1
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SP2??
After reading so many horror stories about SP2 in these newsgroups, I'm kind
of sceptical about downloading it. Is it truly necessary to download it or am I safe as long as I have SP1 and keep my Windows Updates - Updated?? Is there any necessary steps that should be taken before SP2 is downloaded?? Such as, turning off your AV program or Firewall? Any help here would be appreciated. Patty |
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#2
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SP2??
Help newsgroups are somewhat like a hospital.....folks tend
to only visit when an illness unfortunately occurs. SP2 is a solid, secure release. It is a major "Critical Update" for Windows XP and updates about 5 million lines of code, enabling much stronger security, stability, and affords a tad better performance benefit. I would encourage you to install it. You may wish to view the following: Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://support.microsoft.com/default...t=windowsxpsp2 Learn About Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/s...hattoknow.mspx Scan your PC for the presence of viruses and spyware before installing SP2: Download Ad-aware SE and scan your PC for the presence of spywa http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button Symantec Security Check http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym I would suggest performing the following maintenance prior to installing SP2: Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp After installing SP2, run the above maintenance utilities again, then perform a Defrag: HOW TO: Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp -- Carey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows XP - Shell/User Be Smart! Protect Your PC! http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Patty" wrote: | After reading so many horror stories about SP2 in these newsgroups, I'm kind | of sceptical about downloading it. Is it truly necessary to download it or | am I safe as long as I have SP1 and keep my Windows Updates - Updated?? | Is there any necessary steps that should be taken before SP2 is downloaded?? | Such as, turning off your AV program or Firewall? Any help here would be | appreciated. Patty |
#3
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SP2??
Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live
without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. -- "Patty" wrote in message ... After reading so many horror stories about SP2 in these newsgroups, I'm kind of sceptical about downloading it. Is it truly necessary to download it or am I safe as long as I have SP1 and keep my Windows Updates - Updated?? Is there any necessary steps that should be taken before SP2 is downloaded?? Such as, turning off your AV program or Firewall? Any help here would be appreciated. Patty |
#4
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SP2??
Here is a good place to start.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx Bill Crocker "Patty" wrote in message ... After reading so many horror stories about SP2 in these newsgroups, I'm kind of sceptical about downloading it. Is it truly necessary to download it or am I safe as long as I have SP1 and keep my Windows Updates - Updated?? Is there any necessary steps that should be taken before SP2 is downloaded?? Such as, turning off your AV program or Firewall? Any help here would be appreciated. Patty |
#5
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SP2??
"Mary Alice" wrote in message ... Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. -- Mary, you really NEED the security that SP-2 provides! Plus, the pop-up blocker is very good and the firewall is rock solid. Lots of other changes that provide improvement. I was extremely nervous about installing it, but I did, and it works great. Besides, if problems arise, one can always uninstall it. EW |
#6
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SP2??
In ,
Mary Alice typed: Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. With SP2, you're dealing mostly with fixes and security issues. Think of it like the seatbelts or airbag in your car. Do you want to say that you don't "need" a seatbelt or an airbag? After all, the word can't apply since many of us have survived for years just fine sans seatbelt or airbag. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#7
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SP2??
One thing that keeps getting overlooked, is the XP code itself has
been recompiled with hooks to prevent "Buffer Overflows". This is a common avenue for hackers and Malware. It's not glamorous or even noticeable to users, but it's there. If there is a single reason to consider Service Pack 2, I would say that's it. "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Mary Alice typed: Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. With SP2, you're dealing mostly with fixes and security issues. Think of it like the seatbelts or airbag in your car. Do you want to say that you don't "need" a seatbelt or an airbag? After all, the word can't apply since many of us have survived for years just fine sans seatbelt or airbag. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#8
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SP2??
I don't need/use the existing windows firewalls - they interfere with my
"Microsoft Windows Network" (Imagine THAT) - so the same-ole on steroids will serve no purpose here either. I get so few popup ads - Google gets most of them - that issue is of no never mind. If they were to offer an IE popup blocker that was a simple snap-in, put one icon on an existing toolbar to simply turn it on/off, I may be interested. Security? I routinely run security checks/attacks against my computers and they are always 100% stealth! I'm 'into' computers more than the average user by a pretty fair bit. I like having the 'latest-and-greatest' just as much as the next. I'm NOT against Microsoft updates. I have all pertinent to windows, Microsoft hardware and software updates to date. IMO - sp2 offers not a single thing that's worth the risk! -- "EW" wrote in message ... "Mary Alice" wrote in message ... Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. -- Mary, you really NEED the security that SP-2 provides! Plus, the pop-up blocker is very good and the firewall is rock solid. Lots of other changes that provide improvement. I was extremely nervous about installing it, but I did, and it works great. Besides, if problems arise, one can always uninstall it. EW |
#9
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SP2??
If it's SOooo important, why didn't they offer it as a single update and
leave all the other eye-candy, show-and-tell stuff off? -- "R. McCarty" wrote in message ink.net... One thing that keeps getting overlooked, is the XP code itself has been recompiled with hooks to prevent "Buffer Overflows". This is a common avenue for hackers and Malware. It's not glamorous or even noticeable to users, but it's there. If there is a single reason to consider Service Pack 2, I would say that's it. "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Mary Alice typed: Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. With SP2, you're dealing mostly with fixes and security issues. Think of it like the seatbelts or airbag in your car. Do you want to say that you don't "need" a seatbelt or an airbag? After all, the word can't apply since many of us have survived for years just fine sans seatbelt or airbag. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#10
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SP2??
But - if I'm standing in line at my local auto dealer, along with a few
hundred thousand others, waiting to get the recall done on my airbag and seatbelts and I notice that, at a bare minimum, one in ten of the finished jobs is not done right and/or causes, in most cases, other, unrelated to airbags and seatbelts features of my car to not function as intended, I'm going to get out of line. Especially when there is most likely another 10% that have post recall problems, that don't even know it, and just drive off. -- "Ken Blake" With SP2, you're dealing mostly with fixes and security issues. Think of it like the seatbelts or airbag in your car. Do you want to say that you don't "need" a seatbelt or an airbag? After all, the word can't apply since many of us have survived for years just fine sans seatbelt or airbag. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#11
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SP2??
Beg your pardon - I'm talking about the entire XP software package.
Not a single module or update, but the entire package. It's this type of change that can prevent widespread infections, when the next Sasser or Blaster turn up in the wild. As to eye-candy, that can be easily removed or changed. I still use the "Classic Theme" on my machine. Service Pack 2 actually adds little if any esthetic features. Actually, they removed the product type from the Splash screen so you might say they de-fluffed it a bit. "Mary Alice" wrote in message ... If it's SOooo important, why didn't they offer it as a single update and leave all the other eye-candy, show-and-tell stuff off? -- "R. McCarty" wrote in message ink.net... One thing that keeps getting overlooked, is the XP code itself has been recompiled with hooks to prevent "Buffer Overflows". This is a common avenue for hackers and Malware. It's not glamorous or even noticeable to users, but it's there. If there is a single reason to consider Service Pack 2, I would say that's it. "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Mary Alice typed: Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. With SP2, you're dealing mostly with fixes and security issues. Think of it like the seatbelts or airbag in your car. Do you want to say that you don't "need" a seatbelt or an airbag? After all, the word can't apply since many of us have survived for years just fine sans seatbelt or airbag. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#12
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SP2??
Patty wrote:
After reading so many horror stories about SP2 in these newsgroups, I'm kind of sceptical about downloading it. Is it truly necessary to download it or am I safe as long as I have SP1 and keep my Windows Updates - Updated?? Is there any necessary steps that should be taken before SP2 is downloaded?? Such as, turning off your AV program or Firewall? Any help here would be appreciated. Patty Preparation is the key to a successful upgrade, Patty. Notwithstanding the problems posted to this group, the upgrade goes fine for the vast majority of users. Backup your system before hand, which is something you should be doing all the time, anyway. If something goes wrong sp2 can be easily uninstalled, and we are here to help if you have questions and/or issues. Don't be afraid of something just based on the words of some vocal nay sayers. Installing Service Packs http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm Pre-Install, Install, Cleaning Up Afterwards http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=45 What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/s...hattoknow.mspx Get the Latest Updates and Information from Your PC Manufacturer Before Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://support.microsoft.com/?id=837783 Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../sp2chngs.mspx Windows XP Service Pack 2: What's New for Internet Explorer and Outlook Express http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/s...eoverview.mspx |
#13
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SP2??
"Mary Alice" wrote in message
... But - if I'm standing in line at my local auto dealer, along with a few hundred thousand others, waiting to get the recall done on my airbag and seatbelts and I notice that, at a bare minimum, one in ten of the finished jobs is not done right and/or causes, in most cases, other, unrelated to airbags and seatbelts features of my car to not function as intended, I'm going to get out of line. Especially when there is most likely another 10% that have post recall problems, that don't even know it, and just drive off. Your choice. You're making a serious mistake, as far as I'm concerned, but I won't try to persuade you what to do. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup "Ken Blake" With SP2, you're dealing mostly with fixes and security issues. Think of it like the seatbelts or airbag in your car. Do you want to say that you don't "need" a seatbelt or an airbag? After all, the word can't apply since many of us have survived for years just fine sans seatbelt or airbag. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
#14
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SP2??
"Mary Alice" wrote in message ... Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. That is because the features are not visible. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. -- "Patty" wrote in message ... After reading so many horror stories about SP2 in these newsgroups, I'm kind of sceptical about downloading it. Is it truly necessary to download it or am I safe as long as I have SP1 and keep my Windows Updates - Updated?? Is there any necessary steps that should be taken before SP2 is downloaded?? Such as, turning off your AV program or Firewall? Any help here would be appreciated. Patty |
#15
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SP2??
You have a disaster waiting to happen and are obstinate enough to ignore it.
"Mary Alice" wrote in message ... I don't need/use the existing windows firewalls - they interfere with my "Microsoft Windows Network" (Imagine THAT) - so the same-ole on steroids will serve no purpose here either. I get so few popup ads - Google gets most of them - that issue is of no never mind. If they were to offer an IE popup blocker that was a simple snap-in, put one icon on an existing toolbar to simply turn it on/off, I may be interested. Security? I routinely run security checks/attacks against my computers and they are always 100% stealth! I'm 'into' computers more than the average user by a pretty fair bit. I like having the 'latest-and-greatest' just as much as the next. I'm NOT against Microsoft updates. I have all pertinent to windows, Microsoft hardware and software updates to date. IMO - sp2 offers not a single thing that's worth the risk! -- "EW" wrote in message ... "Mary Alice" wrote in message ... Patty - I've yet to have anyone show to me a sp2 feature that I can't live without. I've has people use words like 'should' and 'recommend' but no one has used the word 'need'. The word can't apply since many of us have survived just fine sans sp2. -- Mary, you really NEED the security that SP-2 provides! Plus, the pop-up blocker is very good and the firewall is rock solid. Lots of other changes that provide improvement. I was extremely nervous about installing it, but I did, and it works great. Besides, if problems arise, one can always uninstall it. EW |
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