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Win XP, sp1/sp2

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by klmatthews

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I have Windows XP, sp1 and I started to keep up with MS updates. One of these updates wrecked my PC and I stopped updating over a year ago and have had no problems. Couple of programs are requiring me to update to SP2. What is the difference between SP1 and SP2. I am worried about all that DRM, MS analyzing existing programs on my computer and reporting back, MS spying and MS retrofitting XP with some of the crap that's in Vista. Where can I find info on this? I am really scared to death of SP3. Thank you!!

11 replies

by thumbsup2

If you don't update to at least SP2, your system is basically crippled AND vulnerable. You can't even visit MS Update without SP2 now and a LOT of programs, not just a few, require SP2 minimum. But, the safest way to update with any of the service packs is to download the standalone SP2 or 3 and run it locally instead of installing it through MS Update. Then, turn on the Auto Update after that.

There's no reason to be afraid of SP3, because is basically just everything included in SP2 plus all the critical patches that came out after SP2 plus a couple of insignificant 'tweaks'.

Believe me, SP3 runs WAY better and gets along with other software better than SP1 ever thought of doing.

Just to be sure you can go back though, be sure to make a restore point just prior to applying SP2 and/or 3.

Also, this update is going to take hours and hours to perform and test. The downloads aren't small. I'm doing one right now that didn't even have SP1 applied yet. :(

by .martin.

first off, SP2 CAN NOT, contain anything in vista as SP2 was released long before Vista. so I would recommend upgrading to SP2.

as for SP3, while you get people preaching that 'SP3 is the worst thing Microsoft ever did to XP' (get over it!). I would also recommend upgrading to SP3. it is just all previous updates in one place.

by thechas

I agree with Thumbsup2. There is no reason to fear SP2 or SP3.

So far, the only serious issue with SP3 that I am aware of is with some HP systems with AMD processors. For some reason SP3 installs the wrong chip-set drivers.

Here is a link to the SP3 overview:

http://tinyurl.com/ysup6r

I do recommend downloading the SP3 ISO image file and creating an install CD.

http://tinyurl.com/546y9n

Using a local install CD avoids problems that some have had with loss of the Internet connection while installing some of the updated files.

About the only thing I would worry about, is if you have some very old hardware in your system. Some older hardware no longer functioned with one of the XP service packs and no new drivers were available.

There also is a know issue with SP2 and some Intel processors. If you skip straight to SP3, you avoid that problem.

One final thought, depending on how long your system has been running, it might be worth the effort to perform a clean installation of XP, then at least SP1 followed by SP3 and all of the new security updates. Even as stable as XP is, your system will run better with a fresh clean install if it is more than 3 years old.

I have installed XP SP3 on all of my systems with no issues or problems. And no, you do not get any Vista features with the SP3 update.

Chas

by nosey git

I clicked your http://tinyurl.com/546y9n
link and Zone Alarm threw up this message:
"This site you have requested tinyurl.com is known to distribute spyware. Nothing bad has happened yet, but if you continue, Zone Alarm Browser Security may not be able to protect you".

Anyone have any ideas on this?

by nosey git

As far as I know my ZA is up to date, but I suppose better safe than sorry.

ZA has done this before to me and I knew the site was safe, maybe I don't have it set up right.

I came to this thread originally as I'm trying to set up a system with XP SP1a, after much messing around I managed to get the system on and activated, I managed to get three updates, MS then recommended SP2, but now MS won't allow me to download it.

One place on line said to check C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe, it then says check C:\Windows\system32\dllcache\wuauclt.exe, it goes on to say that when you have found them check the properties of both and make sure they are the same version.

Well I found C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe, but there was no folder called dllcache (I have set the system files and folders so that I can see them all the time), and I thought I'd be clever and create the folder, but Windows told me that it already existed, when I did a search it told me it didn't exist.

Any ideas?

by willcomp

I also recommend you install SP3. So far I haven't experienced any problems in about 100 installs. This information from MS will help:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/

Do disable AV software prior to installing. I disable all non MS services and startup items.

by older mycroft

Take your "Thanks for replies" post and CREATE a new question with it (changing the title to something appropriate.)

That way, you'll not get your question lost in the middle of someone else's thread. You'll also attract direct answers to your own problem.

AND you'll then receive email notifications when anyone replies to your OWN question. It'll be easier all round. ;)

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