SP2 - Should I?

[Sticky]

I turned off my auto updates because of Microsoft's constant nagging for Service Pack 2. I use Mozilla exclusively so is there a need to install SP2?
I got my first ever virus last week and it got me to thinking maybe I should give up the ghost.

Dell Laptop System Information:
Platform: Windows XP Home
Machine Type: Intel
System Version: 5.01.2600
Processor: 586
Physical RAM Installed: 261560 Kb

Thanks
Kate

[trotsky]

1. Haven't run into any problems with SP2.

I've installed it on multiple systems with lots of different software. The only issue that I've encountered relates to the somewhat beefed up Windows firewall that it installs. You may be presented with a dialog box when some programs start up, asking if it's OK they be granted Internet access. That's about it.

If you plan on keeping this system a while longer, though, you might want to upgrade the memory to at least 512MB, preferably 1GB.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. I had the same question and my son.........

said it was fine to install but you may want to disconnect the firewall if you already have one running.
I haven't had any problems but they can be sneaky. It seem that sometimes when I get an automatic update it will turn on the firewall again.

[Sticky]

9. Thanks god for savvy kids

My kids get me out of pc trouble all the time. :dunce:

[Sticky]

3. Thanks

I worry about my computer slowing down with all the extra stuff in Service Pack - especially if I don't even need it. I use Mozilla, Zone Alarm, AdAware and AVG so I'm well protected. I don't like Microsoft telling me what to do. :-)

[trotsky]

4. Consider the pattern, though...

Right now, MS will no longer provide critical updates for the original release of XP. You have to be on Service Pack 1 or 2. The day will come, and probably soon, where they'll drop Service Pack 1 support. Don't worry about it slowing down things - for the most part, the improvements are worth it, and not enough to slow a system down.

Get some more memory - that will MORE than make up for any perceived slowness.

[Sticky]

7. I did an online memory scan

at http://www.crucial.com/ and a memory upgrade is $61 (US) - A bit of a luxury but I think I'll order it. Thanks.

[RoyGBiv]

5. Get it ...

Most of the problems people experienced occurred shortly after its release, and most of those issues have been worked out. I've heard, third or fourth hand, a few nightmare stories, but I don't know anyone personally who had experiences that bad.

That said, just to be on the safe side, back up any important data you have that absolutely cannot be replaced easily and set a system restore point before you start the upgrade. The upgrade process itself does this, but I did experience one glitch involving a power-outage in the middle of the process (it can take awhile), and the restore point the SP2 upgrade had created was corrupted. Amazingly enough, fixing the problem wasn't as hard as I had feared.

As has already been said, if you run a firewall, turn off the Windoze internal firewall after installing SP2. It's not nearly as good as things like Kerio and Zone Alarm.

And, as bit of personal preference advice, after installing SP2, turn off automatic updates again. I personally find it much safer to wait until patches have been out in the public arena for awhile before I install them. The worst problems from updates always come at the beginning of a patch cycle.

[Sticky]

8. Good advice

It's done. :hi:

[Sticky]

6. Okay, it's done

:scared:

[TroubleMan]

10. If you file share, it might slow you down

XP2 limits the number of open connections you can have at one time. They did it to slow down the spread of worms, but it slows down your file sharing if you have DSL, Cable, or faster. There's a patch out there (not by Microsoft) that will change this back to the original way. I've used it and it works well.

If you do upgrade to XP2 and you're a heavy file sharer (like me), then PM me and I'll find the patch for you.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

11. I've heard that the best thing to do with a new SP is back

up the whole system and reinstall. I've done so and the system works better. I realize it sounds like a pain but what you can do is make a *slipstream CD* of all your updates and it won't be as much of a pain However you will need the Developers Version of SP2 and it's on the Micrsoft Website. You might want to download that anyways to a backup disk so you don't have to redownload it again.