SP2..like it or not!

[commoner]

...mmm....looks like SP1 is dead..........unless you fancy living without security updates..............might have to rethink my views on that and go for SP2 after all! Any tips before and after I do the deed would be most welcome?

Well at least I will be able to get FSx..............commoner

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean19  

[expat]

I have asked before, never really got an answer, but what do people have against SP2 ??

Matt

[commoner]

I have asked before, never really got an answer, but what do people have against SP2 ??

Matt

...mmm....well it's not that I have anything against it per se Matt.......It's just that with all the bad publicity it got for causing problems I have been "scared" to go for it unless it messes anything up that is working now..........just the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" syndrome I suppose..............commoner

[expat]

...mmm....well it's not that I have anything against it per se Matt.......It's just that with all the bad publicity it got for causing problems I have been "scared" to go for it unless it messes anything up that is working now..........just the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" syndrome I suppose..............commoner

I can report that I have never had a problem with it, or should I say never noticed any problems. The old adage of, if it is not broken, don't fix it, is always one to stick to, but the other problem is, if you leave your front door open you run the risk of uninvited guests  :o

Matt

[Sir_Crashalot]

I installed SP2 just a few days ago. Until now it caused no problems and everything seems to be running just fine.

Crash

[ozzy72]

When I put SP1 on my system it really slowed things down so I was not sure about SP2. After it being out a couple of weeks to patch XP I decided to chance it and my system has run much better ever since. I even get better FPS in FS (SP1 really slowed it down)

[Hagar]

I purchased this machine with WinXP already installed. When I installed the FSX demo I discovered I already had SP2. It hasn't caused any problems that I'm aware of but I don't know what it was like without it.

[Politically Incorrect]

One of the most important things to be sure you do before installing SP2 is a complete spyware scan, preferably with more than one scanner.
Those who have had issues with SP2 install had issues due to spyware being installed on thier system at the time of the upgrade. This is known and posted by MS at thier site.

Something most forget when scanning for viruses and spyware is to turn off the System Restore feature (doing so will delete all your restore points) but what happens a virus (which is usually only held in RAM) or spyware will embedd itself in System Restore and virus/spyware scanners can not scan those files so even if you find and remove some bad things they will appear over and over because they are never really removed, so make certain to turn off System Restore before any scanning!

After you are certain you are clean then install the SP2 update and all will be good, SP2 fixes many bugs, holes and other security issues, also fixes many memory leaks.

I have used it since it was beta, and all I can say is i have had better performance in all apps since.

I think most are hesitant to install it due to the fear of a major problem that has been known to happen with MS updates from time to time. But like I mentioned above the #1 issue with a SP2 update install in a malicious program already residing in the computer before install.

[commoner]

..Well thanks for the advice and the tips from P.I. Did the scans and read all the "Before Installing SP2" advice then after all I said about NEVER updating , I went for the install.

No problems so far just a slight hitch with Windows Live Messenger when I tried to sign in it did a Repair Messenger routine and now works just fine.

FS9 is working Ok as is all my other software......just one thing...should I stick with my Norton Firewall or use the SP2 one? They seem to both want me to use their particular one. or could I have them both on together......

Happy now it's done..thanks again for the help and advice......might just download the FSX demo now and see what my old Radeon 9200 makes of that. Not a lot I suspect. Ah well Xmas coming up!.....commoner.  ;D

[Politically Incorrect]

As for a firewall depends if your on dial up or "alwayson " (cable)connection really.
If on dial up the Windows one would suffice although you really dont need on, I don't use one at all.

But if you want one I would rid yourself of Norton anything and go for a free firewall. Even if you were to disable Norton it would not like the fact you did and probably casue issues somewhere, Norton is just like that it "demands" complete control. lol

[commoner]

..mm..I think you are right about Norton...if enable Norton and disable the windows firewall it's ok...but the other way round I keep getting a reminder that Norton is disabled.    

I have paid for Norton until December so I will keep it til then and get rid of it.........it's cost me 50 quid a year since '03 and I think I have paid them enough.............

I do have to Dial up but then leave the Internet connected for the whole day.......18 hours or so...maybe I do need a Firewall and Virus protection then..............thanks again. ...commoner.

BTW I got the FSX demo and considering I only have a Radeon 9200 I was delighted with the result..........not cranked up much as you would expect but silky smooth locked at 20fps....I will be getting a new card for Crimbo so I will be getting the FSX asap..............

[Politically Incorrect]

Definately have a antivirus!

The reason for not using a firewall with dial up is due to the fact that it isn't a static IP address (meaning unless you pay for it, it changes each time you connet online), so a hacker won't bother messing around trying to hack a computer thats IP adddress is always changing. If you are connected for real long periods like you say, the Windows firewall should be enough for you.

If you want to stop the annoying "disabled firewall message" try this.

Control panel-security center

On the left you should see a resources box, the bottom option is "change the way Security Center alerts me"

there should be 3 check boxes, uncheck the ones you don't want to be alerted to and this will stop the pop up alerts.

[commoner]

...Thanks again PI......obliged.........commoner