View Full Version : Just Installed WinXP SP2
...and nothing blew up, melted, started smoking, etc. :) By the same token, the quality of my life hasn't increased dramatically either. :( Anyway, I installed it on one of my desktops and the installation went smoothly. There are a bunch of direct links to the full 226Mb file at TweakXP.com.
firstadopter
08-11-2004, 12:06 PM
Is internet explorer any better?
There are certain security features built in. There is a pop-up blocker turned on by default in IE which you can access in "Tools" (and disable if you want). If you want to d/l a file, a security bar will appear below your tool bar telling you that it has blocked the d/l and to "click for more options" one of which is to allow the d/l. Also, there is now a "Windows Security Center" which gives you options on your firewall (Windows firewall is turned on by default but you can disable it), Automatic Updates, and detects and lets you know if your anti-virus is turned on (Windows does not have its own anti-virus). There are I'm sure other features that I'll find while using it. I did read somewhere that SP2 adds some speed to your machine. One thing I did like is that there are not (so far) any compatibility issues with the programs I'm running. :)
I just noted something else. I accessed Windows Update...when it was searching my system for the most current update program, a window popped up entitled "Internet Security Warning" and asked me if I wanted to d/l Windows latest update program...I said I did, it was installed, and then searched for updates. So it seems that if some program from some website tries to install itself w/o your knowledge and consent, SP2 will give you a heads-up and give you the option of blocking it. :D Also, the look/options on the Windows Update site are a bit different.
DirectX 9.0c is also part of the SP2 package.
MailManX
08-11-2004, 03:34 PM
Originally posted by CAG
...By the same token, the quality of my life hasn't increased dramatically either.
I'm surprised. It made a huge difference for me. After I updated to SP2, I found an extra $2,000 in my checking account, my bald spot started filling in, women started talking to me again (it's been years), and my car now gets better gas mileage. Maybe you should format your hard drive, do a clean install of Win XP SP1, then upgrade again and see if it works better on the second try.
But truthfully, I'm a little hesitant to upgrade. I like the way my computer is running now, so I'm not anxious to fix something that ain't broke! I plan to monitor the various forums for a while to see what the pros and cons are.
Michael
LOL...maybe its just Bill Gates' way of letting me know I'm beyond hope. But I am surprised you won't install it, Michael...aren't you a "first adopter"? Seriously though, you're probably right to wait...I just like living on the edge. :cool:
firstadopter
08-11-2004, 05:14 PM
I tend to be a lagging adopter to when it comes to these updates too. I remember the last Service Pack, what a headache - it kept crashing my computer.
But if it works fine for CAG for a few days, I'll probably install it in a week.
Tazman
08-11-2004, 07:02 PM
I downloaded sp2 but i have heard that if you have a card reader it will not boot up,I wonder if my water pump will pump faster?I also have heard that you will get about 500 mgz boost on your cpu is that true?And will it let me find my 57 chevy that my sister stole from me when i was in the service,Is that true?
It's ALL true, Tazman. BTW, nice '57 Chevy...is it yours? Anyway, welcome to the forum. Glad to have you on board. :)
firstadopter
08-11-2004, 08:05 PM
That's one pretty car picture.. seriously. Awesome detail.
This is hilarious guys, keep it coming.
...and all is well. I will say this for MS, this has got to be one of the easiest, most trouble-free, installations I've done. Nowhere near the problems that were experienced with SP1. When you consider the size of SP2 and everything it adds/modifies, MS did a good job. A couple of observations:
1. When installing the full file, you may want to turn off your firewall...SP2 accesses thru the firewall frequently during the installation and you have to keep giving your firewall permission to allow it to do so.
2. The machine I installed it on is hooked up to the net via a wireless connection. When the installation was done, I had no internet connection. I went into the Control Panel>Network Connections>Wireless Network Connection, clicked on the "Properties" button, clicked on the "Wireless Networks" tab, and checked the box for "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" and all was well. Apparently, SP2 had un-checked it during the installation.
One last item: There was a cherry red '57 Chevy in my driveway this morning :)
Tazman
08-12-2004, 06:50 PM
Let me go look in my storage to see if mine is still there!!!!!
A good read here (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1635084,00.asp) from eWeek. Compared to the negative fallout from SP1, SP2 is a day at the beach. Within the next 24 hours, I'll be installing it on the 2 desktops and the laptop I have at home and I'll be reporting my feedback in this thread.
CAG
P.S. Not to worry Taz...I'll take real good care of it. :)
I've been reading about this, and waiting for it, so I'm gonna give it a go. Wish me luck! Downloading now...
Go for it, AJ...if anything catches fire, "Charlie" 'll put it out.
TheAngryIntern
08-12-2004, 11:37 PM
i had heard that there were problems because the version that was out was supposed to be for IT guys installing on multiple machines and not for the guy who only has one machine. hmmmm, i noticed that it still hasn't shown up on the windows update page, and I do have v5, as I had the SP2 beta installed for a short while.
TheAngryIntern
08-13-2004, 12:08 AM
bah, it wouldn't install. Got about half way thru and i got some error message...forgot what it said. stupid M$.....
I downloaded, I installed, and I'm still here! Impressive! No need for Hurricane 'Charley' to extinguish any fires here, CAG.
Seriously tho, I don't see anything different on the surface, except the security settings when you first reboot...but I guess over the next day or so I will discover what lurks beneath, for better or worse.
Overall, a bit of an anti-climax. My life didn't change one iota! ;)
AJ
Originally posted by TheAngryIntern
bah, it wouldn't install. Got about half way thru and i got some error message...forgot what it said. stupid M$.....
Look at it this way, TAI...All SP2 did for me and AJ was give us a seamless, anti-climatic, BORING installation. For you, it's added some excitement to your lfe :)
arogan
08-13-2004, 03:44 PM
Installed it on a clean winxp pro sp1a virtual pc.
Seemed to have went in fine. The new firewall and IE enhancements are nice.
The firewall still only blocks inbound traffic and not outbound. By default it does allow file and printer sharing (yeah!) and it easily allows access to common services like remote desktop.
Windows update v5 is working fine.
I'll try it on a real pc soon. I really want to mess with the built in bluetooth stack.
DEP - source of some compatibility problems:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2mempr.mspx
sp2 bug thread:
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,10995560~mode=flat
info about the new bluetooth stack:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=3163
and if you get really hosed:
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Thanks for the links, Arogan :)
...installations and not a burp. Did 3 installations this evening, 2 desktops and a laptop and NO problems. A couple of comments and observations:
1. Although I didn't time it, the installation takes ~7-10 minutes depending (I assume) on processor speed. The P4 2.4B Intel laptop took longer than the P4 3.2C desktop.
2. Be patient. You're going to get to a point where the blue bar gets to about 50% and seems to stop forever. That's normal.
3. Stay by the machine...If you didn't turn off your 3d party firewall before the installation began, you'll need to be there to accept a bunch of permissions. If you did turn it off (my recommendation), you'll have to be there after the system reboots (and your firewall restarts) to allow several more permissions.
4. After reboot (there's only one reboot at the very end of the installation), you'll be presented with a "security window" which gives you options re firewall (you can use SP2's or disable it for your own), Windows Update setup, and whether your anti-virus is up and running (SP2 does not have anti-virus).
CAG
Ok, I installed SP2 the other night, and I have not had an issue with it so far. In fact, I would go as far as to say that several things run better.
However, that said, Microsoft has listed a bunch of software titles that it says may have trouble with SP2.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130&product=windowsxpsp2
I personally own a few on this list, but I can't say I have found problems with them...yet! Still, you might want to check the list before you install.
AJ
who survived Hurricane Charley unscathed
TheAngryIntern
08-14-2004, 03:01 PM
pretty much looks like every program ever made!!!
Glad to see you made it thru the 'cane all right!!
Thank TAI. Interesting to note all the Microsoft titles on that list. One would have at least thought they would have made SP2 compatible with their own software!
As I said, regardless of the list, I have not had issue with SP2 yet.
AJ
Yes, AJ...very glad to see you dodged the bullet on Charley :) ...others were not so lucky. ..my side of the state is about due I'm afraid. I went thru Andrew in '92...don't ever want to do that again.
Tazman
08-14-2004, 04:27 PM
No machines blown up yet?Was hoping someone had seen a big boost in hardware that is installed,Was wondering if my 500 watt speakers that i orderd would go to 1000 watt.Will my cig lighter on my maching work faster
TheAngryIntern
08-14-2004, 04:32 PM
is that the new CoolerMaster Stacker case? I've been thinking of getting that case. Is it pretty cool?
...and still no issues. I saw the list that AJ posted...I have no doubt that we'll be seeing compatibility patches from the various software vendors. What we won't be seeing much of (my prediction) are monthly security patches from MS which is exactly what SP2 was designed to fix. To that end, MS did a good job. Longhorn, due in '06, will again change everything. BTW, I did note that the dashes on my WinXP Home splash screen are now blue instead of green...just like the WinXP Pro splash screen. :cool:
Tazman
08-14-2004, 08:03 PM
Yep its a stacker and you can have it you way with on of these,I made a top window and a side window and put in watercooling tons of room and it even come with wheels if you want to put them on what is nice about this case is in the future you change from atx form to btx when the motherboards come out comes with a duel power supply cord if you wanted to put in 2 power supplys one for back up this case is nutts anyone wanting any pictures of the whole case and what i did to it just mail at my spam address at sargentmajor@charter.net
MailManX
08-18-2004, 08:51 AM
From Microsoft, here is a list of fixes provided by SP2. Have coffee in hand, it's a LONG list:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;811113
Thanks for the link MMX. You know, this is almost a joke, isn't it. I mean SP2 is barely out the door and there's already fixes to fix it! <shakes head>. Oh dear Microsoft!!
TweakTown has put together a fairly comprehensive SP2 installation and tweaking guide HERE (http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=guide&dId=682&dPage=1). I guess I've had it installed for a week or so now and have had no hardware/software issues with it.
MailManX
08-18-2004, 12:46 PM
Originally posted by AJK1
Thanks for the link MMX. You know, this is almost a joke, isn't it. I mean SP2 is barely out the door and there's already fixes to fix it! <shakes head>. Oh dear Microsoft!!
AJK1, I think I was accidentally misleading the way I posted the link. They aren't fixes to fix SP2. They are actually things that SP2 is designed to fix in Windows XP.
Michael
Ah well, that's a different kettle of fish, and make me feel a lot better about installing SP2. :) Thanks MMX.
The only *possible* issue I may have had with SP2 came yesterday, when I attempted to update my ATI video drivers from Cat 4.7 to the new Cat 4.8. 4.8 would NOT install, instead I got an error message saying "compatible hardware not found." I'm not sure this is a SP2 issue, but it could be. I reported it to ATI and then reinstalled Cat 4.7, without a hitch. Anyone else with SP2 had this problem with Cat 4.8? Btw, my vid card is an ATI X800 Pro.
CAG, that tweak guide is certainly handy, I'm going to look there now and see if there's anything video related.
AJ
Tazman
08-18-2004, 06:47 PM
Anyone found a bios flash for the 9800 pro there are a couple out that will make the card run much faster and make it thing it is a 9800 tx here is a link i found i might have problem cause i never installed my floppy drive ..
http://forums.devhardware.com/showthread.php?t=23955&page=1
MailManX
08-24-2004, 09:12 AM
Here's an interesting SP2 info link I just found. It's for people to post problems they've had and how they solved them. It's not meant to be a place to gripe, but a place to help others that may experience similar problems with SP2. There are over 1,000 messages posted so far:
http://isc.sans.org/xpsp2.php?startmsg=1208&isc=7f35335ad2aea2441d8913c7141b1d09
arogan
08-24-2004, 11:55 AM
3 machines with IIS running all had issues after sp2. IIS would not start. 2 magically fixed themselves after several reboots and IIS began working normally. 1 I had to uninstall/reinstall IIS to get it working.
I also had an issue where I tried to create a system restore point after first reboot and it hung (this might have been related to the iis issues too. don't ask why). Anyways it corrupted my system restore so I had to deactivate (deleting all my restore points in the process) then reactivate it and it started working again.
TheAngryIntern
08-24-2004, 03:04 PM
I did notice that on my WinXP splash screen it just says "Windows XP" and doesn't say "Windows XP Professional" anymore.
arogan
08-24-2004, 03:05 PM
Internet Information Services.
It's microsoft's web server which is an optional install in win xp pro (not included with home).
Required if you develop web applications.
Originally posted by TheAngryIntern
I did notice that on my WinXP splash screen it just says "Windows XP" and doesn't say "Windows XP Professional" anymore.
That was one of the 1st things I heard about SP2...and the XP Pro owners didn't like it...I have XP Home and used to get the green moving dashes on the XP splash screen...now after the SP2 install, they're blue just like XP Pro :D
Originally posted by arogan
Internet Information Services.
It's microsoft's web server which is an optional install in win xp pro (not included with home).
Required if you develop web applications.
Thanks, arogan.
TheAngryIntern
08-24-2004, 07:34 PM
didn't really bother me that much, just something i noticed and was curious why microsoft did that. I can't believe that people were upset. Oh, no! You can't see for the 2 sec it's on your screen that you have Pro instead of Home!!! The whole world is ending! Mass riots and looting in the streets!!!
It apparently bothered some...hard to believe, isn't it (I, for one, was ear-to-ear grins when I saw the blue dashes ;) )
The SP2 splash doesn't have the "copyright 1982-2001" (or whatever dates) anymore either. I can't believe the splash screen bothers some ppl! But then, each to his own I suppose.
AJ
Tazman
08-29-2004, 05:00 PM
Well i did it i did the sp2 thing but i could not get another 2 or 300 mgz on the overclock who said that you could it is not true,I wonder if i install win 2000 if i can get a extra bump in speed i got a copy of it laying around here some place in this mess of a work space,Help Me Wanda!!!
MailManX
08-29-2004, 09:53 PM
Originally posted by Tazman
I could not get another 2 or 300 mgz on the overclock who said that you could it is not true.
Maybe you misunderstood. I don't think it will help you overclock any better, but I think your car will get better gas milage.
Tazman
08-30-2004, 07:30 AM
Well i knew there was something good about this update thanks for the info can not wait to see how much farther i can go on a full tankl
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