Re: a "non-pro" experience with SP2
From: Bob Davis (iclicknix_at_cox.net)
Date: 09/05/04
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Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2004 13:34:10 -0500
"Gene Murphy" <jvitrl555@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:OOsmzL0kEHA.3520@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Well after weeks of reading both the horror stories and some success
> stories on here I decided with at first some trepidations to install SP2
> last night and would like just to share some of my humble opinions as how
> even I ( a complete novice) had a great experience with the download. I
> only offer what I did as hopefully in some small way helping others not to
> have the nightmare some have had.
> First and foremost I think one should read all the (KB) information posted
> by Microsoft and the many posts by Kelly and Will and all other MVP's on
> this site. The more one is informed (about any subject) I think the less
> likely for there to be problems.
> Second my computer:
> Gateway Pentium 4, 80GB HD,1GB Memory,CD ROM (writable), DVD,
> Software: Office Suite 2003,Zone Alarm Pro, AVG, ezTrust anti-virus,
> Sohphos Anti-virus, Outlook 2002, peripherals Logitech cordless mouse and
> key board, Lexmark X-75 all in one printer,fax and scanner, KDS storage
> tower, Boston Speaker System...broadband Comcast cable with RCA D235
> Modem.
>
> Thus I could have run into many issues as there were certainly plenty on
> the machine that showed some compatibility issues.
> I did a complete virus scan with all three programs (which i do every day
> anyway via scheduler) I use Diskeeper for defrag, but due to some
> information on this site I also downloaded perfect disk(in my humble
> opinion a much better product that Diskeeper) ran that also. I cleared out
> all IE temporary folders (i can do this through the cache cleaner in Zone
> alarm pro). I back up all I could think of on the computer including
> "system state". First problem: I wish i could learn how to use back up in
> system tools to backup directly to CD, but it will not let me for it says
> E: backup.is not a valid something or other :) sorry forget the exact
> error message , so i have to back up to my documents and then use Roxio to
> burn the backup to CD, but at least I did it.
> I decided to go with the SP2 CD version instead of windows update. I
> received the CD 5 days after ordering it!
> Steps:
> I went to mscofig and unchecked everything in the startup column, rebooted
> the computer, unplugged my cable modem the power to it and even the
> Ethernet connection.Did the same with the printer and speakers (don't know
> why the speakers, just over cautious i guess)...what i forgot to do was
> unplug the KDS system, so that gave me a little trouble when I finished
> the install but fine now.
>
> From start of installation to time of first reboot was 59 minutes. on
> first reboot everything seem to be fine, no noticeable difference in time
> it took to boot with exception of first welcome screen where i attempted
> to turn off windows built in firewall but could not as much as i tried ,
> it simply would not let me. I rebooted again ran Perfect Disk defrag which
> took over an hour and a half , disk was 59% fragmented. rebooted again .
> Still could not get XP firewall to turn off. So I disabled Zone Alarm,
> rebooted went back to control panel to security center and then was able
> to turn off XP firewall. Rebooted. Everything was just as fast if not
> faster. Surf the web (on yes did plug back in modem with no issues) to see
> if i could, no problem getting anywhere, no pop ups that others talk about
> so I don't understand that issue, but it is fine with me. Tried all the
> programs i could think of, all so far seem to be working just fine.
> Outlook can send and receive. Did have one conflict with "chikka" a text
> to mobile piece of software, just had to uninstall and download again now
> that is working just fine.
>
> So even though this is only my first day of up and running with what I am
> very pleased was a good and easy install, I realize I may run into some
> issues later with some programs i have not used yet, but feel that
> overall, if one would read all he/she can about what Microsoft and the
> MVP's are saying on here it is possible even for a novice like me to do
> this update with very little problems. Knowledge is a very powerful tool,
> if only believed. I think "common sense" and patience goes a long way when
> you are a novice like me to ensure you have gathered all the facts you can
> about this update and then make the decision for yourself whether it is
> worth (some would say) all the problems that some are having.
>
> As for me I am one satisfied Microsoft Customer, but always have been.
> Sure there are several other operating systems out there supposedly
> without all the bugs and flaws of Microsoft. But I also know that when you
> go to buy third party software that go with these OS's you are very
> limited in what you can do. Also I think that Microsoft had gone out to
> all third party vendors and they knew they would probably have to have
> their own technicians to probably patch any holes in their own software
> before Microsoft released the SP2, but I don't think one should hold
> Microsoft accountable if some of these vendors did not do such. Also one
> should when updating any drivers for their machine go to the original
> manufactory , not just use the Microsoft updater to find drivers there.
> The best source is the maker of your particular driver instead.
>
> Thanks everyone for letting me rant.
> Hope this helps even one person who feels this update is just not worth
> the trouble. I find it not any trouble at all.
I also had no trouble with the upgrade on this and two other computers using
the M$-supplied CD. I also received mine in about five days and everything
works with no issues. I did as you by running a defrag (Norton SD),
Registry 1st Aid, Windoc, Cleanmgr, etc. to prep the system, and there were
no issues other than XP's refusal to show ICO files as thumbnails like it
should. After loading SP2 the icons displayed as they should. There was
one minor snag when the firewall wanted to block one of M$'s own programs,
Connection Manager (part of Activesync for the Pocket PC), but listing it as
an exception cleared up the issue.
Hardly a snag, and expected after reading Symantec's FAQ on SP2, NAV was
listed as the virus program but XP could not determine its status. Symantec
says this is because of NAV's anti-tampering features. No problem, and I
just set it as "not monitored."
So based on my experiences I can recommend this upgrade. On three quite
different computers (one a high-end P4 2.8C HT with 2gb RAM and a 10k SATA
drive, an older BX440 mobo with P3-1000, and a P4 1.6 notebook) it installed
without one hitch, except for the one already mentioned. I think M$ did it
right this time.
- Next message: Tony: "updates downloading speed"
- Previous message: Unknown: "Re: SLOW startup after installing SP1"
- In reply to: Gene Murphy: "a "non-pro" experience with SP2"
- Next in thread: Linda: "Re: a "non-pro" experience with SP2"
- Reply: Linda: "Re: a "non-pro" experience with SP2"
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