Fred Langa's viewpoint on XP SP2

[glc]

1) Go Slow With XP's SP2

Many readers are wondering what to do about XP's SP2, which is starting
to trickle out in a limited release. But over the next few weeks, just
about all XP users will be offered the download in a carefully sequenced
rollout designed to prevent the overload of Microsoft's servers.

When you're offered SP2, my advice is: Do nothing; wait a bit.

SP2 is huge--- so big it's almost a whole new version of XP. Like any
new version of any OS, it *will* contain bugs, and it *will* cause
trouble on some setups. The more complex and/or nonstandard your setup
is, the greater the likelihood of a problem.

Plus, there's no "must have right now" element to SP2: Much of SP2 is
designed to force uninformed (or just plain lazy!) PC users to use basic
security--- to stay current with updates, to use a firewall, etc. (These
are the users running the unpatched/unprotected systems that allow most
worms/viruses to spread.)

But odds are, if you're reading this newsletter, you already know about
and are using pretty good security practices, such as good firewall,
antivirus and anti-spyware tools, and you're keeping up to date with
Critical Updates. If that's the case, you won't gain a lot by rushing
into SP2.

Instead, wait a bit--- even as much as a month or two--- to let the
worst problems with SP2 come to light and be fixed on other user's PCs.
Again, as long as you're already using the kinds of security tools and
techniques we discuss in this newsletter every week (example:
http://www.informationweek.com/840/langa.htm ), there's no need to rush
into SP2.

I'm not the only one suggesting this "go slow" approach. See, for
example these other authors:
http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/60.htm
http://channelzone.ziffdavis.com/art...1633858,00.asp

But if you absolutely must try it as soon as you can, MAKE A FULL IMAGE
BACKUP OF YOUR SYSTEM! (There, I hope that got your attention! ) You
can use a free trial version of BootIt for example (
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/ ), and have a bulletproof way to roll
your system back to pre-SP2 condition if things don't work out. Note that
standard uninstall, backup or roll-back tools (like Go Back) may NOT
suffice for an update of this size and scope. If you want to be 100% sure
you can undo SP2 in its totality, you *must* use a heavy-duty imaging tool. See
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q...02a-sp00000000 .


But for most of us, the answer's simpler: Relax! Take a break, and let
others blaze a trail for you! Eventually, SP2 will be worth installing,
but for most of us--- almost everyone--- there's no particular need for,
or benefit from, being an early adopter.

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This echoes my opinion, and I'm advising my customers accordingly.

[Heon2574]

SP2 is new and needs time to sink in slowly, let all the problems come to light, etc...

All-in-all, PC users who already have good protection really don't have to jump on SP2 right away.

[diver203_98]

I agree. And although I did download it, it is on a seperate partition on this system, (going to try to slipstream it) and not on my build in progress which will be XP. But according to THIS Corporations will have the most trouble, as SP2 also impacts Microsoft products as well.

[Tuf]

I am running it on one (1) computer on my network and so far so good. I really can't tell the difference for the most part. I did patch the UxTheme.dll file so I could the theme I normally use. I also replaced the TCPIP.sys file and upgraded Nero.

I have already made a SP2 CD to useon s few of the other machines that still have original XP installs from 2001. As those installations are approaching 3 years old I think I will reinstall with an update this large.

[Mesaeus]

I'm dying to try it out (my PC works perfectly and I'm bored, I wanna break things by installing SP2 ) but there's still no version for my language (dutch)

[Strider]

I tried SP2 out on this PC, but I uninstalled as fast as I could. I had problems from the get go and almost went into a coma (Staring Blankly at the Monitor for a few minutes). When I restarted my computer (after telling me to) it just went into the Welcome Screen and decided not to go any farther. I waited and waited until my panic level was pretty well up there and I figure I would still be waiting till Christmas for my computer to boot, so I had no choice but to press the reset button. Said a few prayers and luckly they were answer, for I was able to gain access to my programs, even after I got to my desktop some programs wouldn't start up (Such as Zonealarm). I figure it would be best to uninstall SP2, which I did and everything is back to normal. I won't be re-installing SP2 until I hear things are running smoothly with it.

[bailey]

the first reboot does take a few minutes but runs normal after that, all depends on how fast your system is.
have to slow down a bit sometimes.
I have not found any problems with it at all
installed it on 15 systems so far.

[glc]

If you are having problems with it, be sure to add your comments and vote to Statica's sticky thread - this also applies to those of you who are running fine. The more input we get, the more accurate the data will be.

[Force Flow]

If you really want to play around with it, but don't want to install it on your main rig, build another workstation and install it on there.

[w33tq]

Originally Posted by Force Flow If you really want to play around with it, but don't want to install it on your main rig, build another workstation and install it on there.

Biuld another rig just for SP2? By everyone else's opinions, i won't be considering downloading SP2... Even to put on my older computer. I'm a gamer, and hear that it would only decrease my performance.

[Force Flow]

Some people already have multiple machines.

[Strider]

Originally Posted by bailey the first reboot does take a few minutes but runs normal after that, all depends on how fast your system is. have to slow down a bit sometimes. I have not found any problems with it at all installed it on 15 systems so far.

I waited for a good 15 minutes staring at the screen waiting to boot up, but I'm not saying everyone is going to have that problem - it just so happens I did.

[glc]

Strider, how about participating in the poll?

[w33tq]

Originally Posted by Force Flow Some people already have multiple machines.

sorry if i sounded rude FF