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Bill_Bright
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Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 8916
Location: Nebraska, USA
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 Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:08 pm Post subject: One IT Person's Opinion on XP SP2 |
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So far I have installed SP2 on 4 systems, 3 XP Home with AMD Bartons, 1 XP Pro with an Intel P4HT - all desktops. And so far, no problems except one minor issue with a unique optical mouse - the horizontal scroll option turned to diagonal, but normal movement and click actions worked fine. A re-install of the driver fixed it. Note that same brand and model mouse is used on all systems and the problem only occurred on one.
Impressions?
Generally speaking, I like it! Internet Explorer's popup blocker is excellent (although I recommend changing the security setting to High). Overall performance seems to have improved, not degraded (see note 2 below). SP2's new Security Center's value is negligible. Window's Firewall, though woefully inadequate, is better than nothing - especially during fresh installs as it protects early on in the boot up/install process. However, it should be disabled and replaced with a real firewall, such as ZoneLab's ZoneAlarm, as soon as possible.
Note 1: Prior to each upgrade: Backup all personal data such as documents and pictures.
Export email.
Export favorites/bookmarks.
Check the web sites of add-on applications and add-on hardware for upgrades, patches, new drivers, and/or SP2 warnings.
Delete cookies and Temporary Internet files.
Scan with updated virus scanner.
Scan with updated spyware scanners (SpyBot and AdAware).
Defragment drive (optional but recommended).
Disable antivirus program (Note: It is not necessary, and I don't recommend you disable your firewall).
And MOST importantly,
Ensure the computer is in perfect working condition prior to upgrade! SP2 is NOT designed to, and WILL NOT fix a broken PC!
Note 2: My apparent performance improvement may be due to wishful thinking as well as the disk clean up actions I took prior to the upgrade. But I note the systems I upgraded last week are still going strong and performance is at least equal to, if not better than before the upgrade.
Note 3. Two AMD systems were upgraded with the IT Professional, network upgrade version of SP2, downloaded from MS downloads here. This is a full upgrade, 272Mb, single file download - not recommended for dial-up users. Although the intent of this download is to provide network administrators the capability to "push" the upgrades out to client PCs, it works just as well on stand-alone systems. The 3rd AMD system I had just built and had a fresh XP HomeSP1 install. It was upgraded through Windows Automatic Upgrades (see Note 4) with no problems. However, I point out that no additional software or non-common hardware had been added. The Intel P4HT 3.06, with RAID1 HDs, was upgraded with the "free" SP2 CD, ordered from Microsoft here. Using the CD is, by far, my preferred method.
Note 4. I never allow Microsoft to automatically install any update on my systems. They have a history of breaking things while trying to fix other things. Therefore I cannot comment on complete automatic upgrades to SP2 through Windows Automatic Upgrade. But I will note that it appears many SP2 upgrade problems have occurred on systems where Windows Automatic Updates is configured to Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them - which is the default mode. I suspect that may be due to systems that had other problems and were not properly prepared, as I listed above, prior to the upgrade. I do recommend Windows Automatic Update be used, but configured to use the Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them setting. Then wait a few days and listen for any "fallout" from CastleCops and other computing news outlets to see if the update is okay.
It is my professional and personal opinion that Windows XP SP2 should be installed on all systems as soon as possible, but only after all precautions listed above have been taken.
Hastily added disclaimer: No Promises - except one; IF you follow my advise above, you will have a much greater chance of a fully successful upgrade.
-Bill
_________________
 Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!
Last edited by Bill_Bright on Sun Sep 19, 2004 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total |
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norbie
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Joined: Feb 21, 2004
Posts: 3123
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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good advice bill 
ive used it on several computers now, with no problems at all (noticed so far).
the only thing i didn't like that i had to change, was automatic download and install of new updates which stupidly kept on downloading and older driver for my graphics card which messed it up everytime it installed the old driver!!
otherwise... seems fine to me - not that much noticeable difference, we shall just have to see!
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dave_hacker
Warnings : 1
Lieutenant
Joined: Dec 30, 2003
Posts: 150
Location: Central MN, USA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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If you have programs that you absolutely need i would check their compatibility before insatlling it, but i would recomend it. I have installed it on machines (pro and home) and the only weird thing i foudn is that on the boot screen it no longer says home or professional. No big deal of course, but interesting none the less.
Cheers,
Dave
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"Wisdom is the ability to avoid anything that requires it!"
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norbie
General
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Joined: Feb 21, 2004
Posts: 3123
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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yes i have noticed that as well.
cant think why they would do that? maybe its becasue they cudnt be bothered to make separate service packs for home and pro?
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Bill_Bright
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Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 8916
Location: Nebraska, USA
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dave_hacker
Warnings : 1
Lieutenant
Joined: Dec 30, 2003
Posts: 150
Location: Central MN, USA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:38 am Post subject: |
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Haha i didnt mean that it mattered just kind of saying. Although at first i thought it was something with just my installation of it, then figured out its on all of them. Also noticed that no matter whether its home or pro they both have the blue pro loading bar.
Haha ranting, Cheers,
Dave
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"Wisdom is the ability to avoid anything that requires it!"
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jackgreat
Sergeant
Joined: Jun 12, 2004
Posts: 82
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| Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:18 am Post subject: Info |
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Thanks for tips and information.
Hey after installing SP2 does the Professional or Home Edition in the boot up screen of win Xp disappear and only Win Xp is seen. Just wanna confirm this ???
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Bill_Bright
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Posts: 8916
Location: Nebraska, USA
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jackgreat
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Joined: Jun 12, 2004
Posts: 82
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| Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 7:29 pm Post subject: Wallpaper |
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Well I know the boot up screen changes to Win XP only and i dont have any problem figuring out whether mine is PRO or HOME , i wanna know that is there a way i can revert back to my old boot up screen which says XP Pro .
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Bill_Bright
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Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 8916
Location: Nebraska, USA
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Bill_Bright
General
Premium Member
Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 8916
Location: Nebraska, USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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Follow-Up - I have now upgraded 12 Windows XP Home and 2 XP Pro systems. Both XPPs systems are Intel P4s (2.4GHz Northword, and 3.06GHz HT). Windows XP Home runs on 1 Intel 2.4GHz Northwood, and the remaining systems consist of various AMDs from XP1700+ through XP3200+.
I have had two failures that required complete re-installs. That's a horrible 14.29 % failure rate!
Both failures occured with AMDs (XP2500+ Barton, and XP3000+ Barton) and both were with XP Home. However, other systems with same setup were successful. Therefore, I think it is premature to pass judgement on AMDs or XP Home.
Here are the hardware specs for the two failed systems:
| Components | Computer 1 | Computer 2 | | Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2, Rev 1 | Abit KV7, Rev 1 | | BIOS | GA-7N400 Pro2, Rev 1 Award, V. F11 | KV7 Award V17 | | CPU | AMD XP3000+ | AMD XP2500+ | | Ram | 1 Gb, 512Mb X 2 | 512Mb, 512 X 1 | | HD Interface | SATA RAID1 | SATA Single | | | Video | ATI AIW Radeon 8500 | Sapphire (ATI OEM) 9200 Radeon | | Operating System | XP Home SP1 | XP Home SP1 | | Type of Upgrade | CD | Automatic Update |
Other things in common with the two failed updates:All Critical updates current
BIOSes current
Hardware drivers current
Virus Scans with Current Sigs within 24 hours
Both behind NAT routers
Both behind ZoneAlarm
***Both failed immediately after SP2 install required reboot, hanging during boot after mup.dll load*** This might we a clue to someone! (MS?)
Added note: Computer 2 not under direct control but built new less than 1 month ago - fully current and clean (virus, malware) upon delivery.
_________________
Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!
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wawadave
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Bill_Bright
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wawadave
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Bill_Bright
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