Re: SP2 Destroyed My System

From: Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] (lanwench_at_heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmail.atyahoo.com)
Date: 09/05/04 

Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2004 12:49:32 -0400

Nice. I think I'll crib that from ya. :-)

Shenan Stanley wrote:
> bfree wrote:
>> I installed SP2 and my computer would no longer boot. After the
>> loading screen the screen went blank and stayed that way for hours. I
>> could not even run in safe mode. I had to search the internet (on
>> another computer) to find out how to uninstall SP2. It took me over 5
>> hours to get my system back. There is no reason in the world why I
>> would ever want to do that again.
>
> You need to prepare your system (and yourself with backups, etc)
> before performing such a major upgrade.
>
> *WARNING* This is a LONG spill, all in plain text and simplified so
> that even non-techs should be able to understand it. Hopefully this
> will
> assist some people in not only repairing their systems, but in making
> them faster and more stable tools for them to use. It contains advice
> on many things, many considered "common knowledge" to 'IT' people
> everywhere. It is split into major sections, hopefully this will make
> it easier to navigate. *WARNING*
>
> Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC. Every attempt
> has been made to be general and an assumption of a "Windows" operating
> system is made here as well - although in some ways, this could be
> adapted to any OS.
>
>
> GENERAL UPKEEP AND CLEANUP
> --------------------------
>
> You should periodically defragment your hard drives as well as check
> them for errors.
>
> How to Defragment your hard drives
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314848
>
> How to scan your disks for errors
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315265
>
> How to use Disk Cleanup
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310312
>
> You should also empty your Internet Explorer Temporary Internet
> Files and make sure the maximum size for this is small enough not to
> cause trouble in the future. Empty your Temporary Internet Files and
> shrink the size it stores to a size between 120MB and 480MB..
>
> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do
> the following:
> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:"
> to something between 120MB and 480MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger
> right now.)
> - Click OK.
> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take
> 2-10 minutes or more.)
> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
> Explorer.
>
> Uninstall any software you no longer use or cannot remember installing
> (ask if it is a multi-user PC) - but only if you are sure you do not
> need it and/or you have the installation media around to reinstall if
> you need to. http://snipurl.com/8v6b may help you accomplish this.
>
> If things are running a bit slow or you have an older system
> (1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
> tweaking the performance a bit by turning off some of the memory
> using Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:
>
> Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance section,
> Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
> now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off many of the annoying
> "prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
> three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
> other annoyances. You could also grab and install/mess with one
> (or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
>
> You should also verify that your System Restore feature is enabled and
> working properly. Unfortunately, if seems to have issues on occasion,
> ones that can easily be avoided by turning off/on the system restore
> and make a manual restoration point as one of your periodic
> maintenance tasks. This is particularly important right before
> installing something major (or even minor if you are unsure what it
> might do to your system.)
>
> Turn off System Restore.
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
>
> Reboot.
>
> Turn on System Restore.
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
>
> Make a Manual Restoration Point.
> http://snipurl.com/68nx
>
> (That, of course, will erase the previous restore point you have.)
>
> Also, you should look into backing up your valuable files and folders.
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308422
>
> And keep your original installation media (CDs, disks) safe with their
> CD keys and such. Make backups of these installation media sets as
> well and always use strong passwords. Good passwords are those that
> meet these general rules (mileage may vary):
>
> Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
> string should contain at least three of these four character types:
> - uppercase letters
> - lowercase letters
> - numerals
> - nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !)
>
> Passwords should not contain your name/logon name.
>
>
> UPDATES and PATCHES
> -------------------
>
> ** Side Note: *IF* you are about to install Service Pack 2 (SP2) for
> Windows XP, I suggest you clean up your system first. Uninstall
> any applications you do not use. Update any that you do.
> Download the latest drivers for your hardware devices. Defragment
> and run a full CHKDSK on your hard drives. Scan your system and
> clean it of any Spyware/Adware/Malware and for Viruses and
> Trojans. Below you will find advice and links to applications
> that will help you do all of this. If this advice helps you,
> please - pass it on. Print it, email it, forward it to anyone you
> think it might help. A little knowledge might help prevent lots
> of trouble.
>
> This one is the most obvious. There is no perfect product and any
> company worth their salt will try to meet/exceed the needs of their
> customers and fix any problems they find along the way. I am not
> going to say Microsoft is the best company in the world about this
> but they do have an option available for you to use to keep your
> machine updated and patched from
> the problems and vulnerabilities (as well as product improvements in
> some cases) - and it's free to you.
>
> Windows Update
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
>
> Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical
> ones as you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when
> selecting the updates and if you have trouble over the next few days,
> go into your control panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest
> numbers you downloaded recently (since you started noticing an issue)
> and uninstall them. If there was more than one (usually is), install
> them back one by one - with a few hours of use in between, to see if
> the problem returns. Yes - the process is not perfect (updating) and
> can cause trouble like I mentioned - but as you can see, the solution
> isn't that bad - and is MUCH better than the alternatives.
>
> Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
> manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
> versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free,
> some are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but
> it is best to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their
> support and download sections. For example, for Microsoft Office
> update, you should visit:
>
> Microsoft Office Updates
> http://office.microsoft.com/
> (and select "downloads")
>
> You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to
> interface with the operating system. You have a video card that
> allows you to see on your screen, a sound card that allows you to
> hear your PCs sound output and so on. Visit those manufacturer web
> sites for the latest downloadable drivers for your hardware/operating
> system. Always (IMO) get the manufacturers hardware driver over any
> Microsoft offers. On the Windows Update site I mentioned earlier, I
> suggest NOT getting their hardware drivers - no matter how tempting.
> First - how do you know what hardware you have in your computer?
> Invoice or if it is up and working now - take inventory:
>
> Belarc Advisor
> http://belarc.com/free_download.html
>
> Once you know what you have, what next? Go get the latest driver for
> your hardware/OS from the manufacturer's web page. For example,
> let's say you have an NVidia chipset video card or ATI video card,
> perhaps a Creative Labs sound card or C-Media chipset sound card...
>
> NVidia Video Card Drivers
> http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
>
> ATI Video Card Drivers
> http://www.atitech.com/support/driver.html
>
> Creative Labs Sound Device
> http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/
>
> C-Media Sound Device
> http://www.cmedia.com.tw/e_download_01.htm
>
> As for Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP, Microsoft has made this
> particular patch available in a number of ways. First, there is the
> Windows Update web page above. Then there is a direct download site
> and finally, you can order the FREE CD from Microsoft.
>
> Direct Download of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP
> http://snipurl.com/8bqy
>
> Order the Free Windows XP SP2 CD
> http://snipurl.com/8umo
>
> Microsoft also have a bunch of suggestions, some similar to these,
> on how to better protect your Windows system:
>
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>
> FIREWALL
> --------
>
> Let's say you are up-to-date on the OS (operating system) and you have
> Windows XP.. You should at least turn on the built in firewall.
> That will do a lot to "hide" you from the random bad things flying
> around the Internet. Things like Sasser/Blaster enjoy just sitting
> out there in Cyberspace looking for an unprotected Windows Operating
> System and jumping on it, doing great damage in the process and then
> using that Unprotected OS to continue its dirty work of infecting
> others. If you have the Windows XP FW turned on - default
> configuration - then they cannot see you! Think of it as Internet
> Stealth Mode at this point. It has other advantages, like actually
> locking the doors you didn't even (likely) know you had. Doing this
> is simple, some helpful tips for the SP2 enabled firewall can be
> found here:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/cableguy/cg0204.mspx
>
> If you read through that and look through the pages that are linked
> from it throughout - I think you should have a firm grasp on the
> basics of the Windows XP Firewall as it is today. One thing to note
> RIGHT NOW - if you have AOL, you cannot use this nice firewall that
> came with your system. Thank AOL, not Microsoft. You HAVE to
> configure another one.. So we continue with our session on
> Firewalls...
>
> But let's say you DON'T have Windows XP - you have some other OS like
> Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000. Well, you don't have the nifty
> built in firewall. My suggestion - upgrade. My next suggestion -
> look through your options. There are lots of free and pay firewalls
> out there for home users. Yes - you will have to decide on your own
> which to get. Yes, you will have to learn (oh no!) to use these
> firewalls and configure them so they don't interfere with what you
> want to do while continuing to provide the security you desire. It's
> just like anything else you want to protect - you have to do
> something to protect it. Here are some suggested applications. A
> lot of people tout "ZoneAlarm" as being the best alternative to just
> using the Windows XP FW, but truthfully - any of these alternatives
> are much better than the Windows XP FW at what they do - because that
> is ALL they do.
>
> ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
> http://snipurl.com/6ohg
>
> Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
> http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
>
> Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
> http://www.agnitum.com/download/
>
> Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
> http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
>
> Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
>
> BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
> http://blackice.iss.net/
>
> Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
> http://www.tinysoftware.com/
>
> That list is not complete, but they are good firewall options, every
> one of them. Visit the web pages, read up, ask around if you like -
> make a decision and go with some firewall, any firewall. Also,
> maintain it. Sometimes new holes are discovered in even the best of
> these products and patches are released from the company to remedy
> this problem. However, if you don't get the patches (check the
> manufacturer web page on occasion), then you may never know you have
> the problem and/or are being used through this weakness. Also, don't
> stack these things. Running more than one firewall will not make you
> safer - it would likely (in fact) negate some protection you gleamed
> from one or the other firewalls you run.
>
>
> ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
> ------------------
>
> That's not all. That's one facet of a secure PC, but firewalls don't
> do everything. I saw one person posting on a newsgroup that "they had
> never had a virus and they never run any anti-virus software." Yep -
> I used to believe that way too - viruses were something everyone else
> seemed to get, were they just careless? And for the average joe-user
> who is careful, uses their one to three family computers carefully,
> never opening unknown email attachments, always visiting the same
> family safe web sites, never installing anything that did not come
> with their computer - maybe, just maybe they will never witness a
> virus. I, however, am a Network Systems Administrator. I see that
> AntiVirus software is an absolute necessity given how most people see
> their computer as a toy/tool and not something
> they should have to maintain and upkeep. After all, they were
> invented to make life easier, right - not add another task to your
> day. You
> can be as careful as you want - will the next person be as careful?
> Will someone send you unknowingly the email that erases all the
> pictures of your child/childhood? Possibly - why take the chance?
> ALWAYS RUN ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE and KEEP IT UP TO DATE! Antivirus
> software comes in so many flavors, it's like walking into a Jelly
> Belly store - which one tastes like what?! Well, here are a few
> choices for you. Some of these are free (isn't that nice?) and some
> are not. Is one better than the other - MAYBE.
>
> Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/
>
> Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
>
> Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
> http://www.pandasoftware.com/
> (Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
>
> AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
> http://www.grisoft.com/
>
> McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
> http://www.mcafee.com/
>
> AntiVir (Free and up)
> http://www.free-av.com/
>
> avast! 4 (Free and up)
> http://www.avast.com/
>
> Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
> http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm
> (Free Online Scanner:
> http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
>
> RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan (Free!)
> http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
>
> Did I mention you have to not only install this software, but also
> keep it updated? You do. Some of them (most) have automatic
> services to help you do this - I mean, it's not your job to keep up
> with the half-dozen or more new threats that come out daily, is it?
> Be sure to keep whichever one you choose up to date!
>
>
> SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS/HIJACKS
> -----------------------------
>
> So you must be thinking that the above two things got your back now -
> you are covered, safe and secure in your little fox hole. Wrong!
> There are more bad guys out there. There are annoyances out there
> you can get without trying. Your normal web surfing, maybe a wrong
> click on a web page, maybe just a momentary lack of judgment by
> installing some software packages without doing the research.. And
> all of a sudden your screen starts filling up with advertisements or
> your Internet seems much slower or your home page won't stay what you
> set it and goes someplace unfamiliar to you. This is spyware. There
> are a whole SLEW of software packages out there to get rid of this
> crud and help prevent reinfection. Some of the products already
> mentioned might even have branched out into this arena. However,
> there are a few applications that seem to be the best at what they
> do, which is eradicating and immunizing your system from this crap.
> Strangely, the best products I have found in this category ARE
> generally free. That is a trend I like. I make donations to some of
> them, they deserve it!
>
> Two side-notes: Never think one of these can do the whole job.
> Try the first 5 before coming back and saying "That did not work!"
> Also, you can always visit:
> http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
> For more updated information.
>
> Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
> http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html
>
> Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
> http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
>
> CWShredder (Free!)
> ** No longer updated as of July 29, 2004 - however, still a great
> product and should still be ran **
> http://www.softbasket.com/download/s_8114.shtml
>
> Hijack This! (Free)
> http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
> ( Tutorial: http://hjt.wizardsofwebsites.com/ )
>
> SpywareBlaster (Free!)
> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
>
> IE-SPYAD (Free!)
> https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
>
> ToolbarCop (Free!)
> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
>
> Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
> http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/
>
> Browser Security Tests
> http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
>
> Popup Tester
> http://www.popuptest.com/
>
> The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
> http://www.moosoft.com/
>
> That will clean up your machine of the spyware, given that you
> download and install several of them, update them regularly and scan
> with them when you update. Some (like SpywareBlaster and SpyBot
> Search and Destroy and IESPYAD)
> have/are immunization utilities that will help you prevent your PC
> from being
> infected. Use these features!
>
> Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the
> Internet/while you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have
> looked at a lot of options, seen a lot of them used in production
> with people who seem to attract popups like a plague, and I only have
> one suggestion that end up serving double duty (search engine and
> popup stopper in one):
>
> The Google Toolbar (Free!)
> http://toolbar.google.com/
>
> Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful
> one. You can search from there anytime with one of the best search
> engines on the planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow
> - BONUS! If you don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to
> say you go to www.google.com and search for other options. Please
> notice that Windows XP SP2 does help stop popups as well. Another
> option is to use an alternative Web browser. I suggest "Mozilla
> Firefox", as it has some great features and is very easy to use:
>
> Mozilla Firefox
> http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
>
> One more suggestion, although I will suggest this in a way later, is
> to disable your Windows Messenger service. This service is not used
> frequently (if at all) by the normal home user and in cooperation
> with a good firewall, is generally unnecessary. Microsoft has
> instructions on how to do this for Windows XP here:
>
>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
>
>
> SPAM EMAIL/JUNK MAIL
> --------------------
>
> This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in
> one sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do?
> Well, although there are services out there to help you, some email
> servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built
> into their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the
> end-decision maker on what is spam and what isn't. If these things
> worked perfectly, we wouldn't need people and then there would be no
> spam anyway - vicious circle, eh? Anyway - I have two products to
> suggest to you, look at them and see if either of them suite your
> needs. Again, if they don't, Google is free and available for your
> perusal.
>
> SpamBayes (Free!)
> http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
>
> Spamihilator (Free!)
> http://www.spamihilator.com/
>
> As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I
> have seen function for hundreds+ people.
>
>
> DISABLE (Set to Manual) UNUSED SERVICE/STARTUP APPS
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> I might get arguments on putting this one here, but it's my spill.
> There are lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by
> default you don't use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages
> to see what all of the services you might find on your computer are
> and set them according to your personal needs. Be CAREFUL what you
> set to manual, and take heed and write down as you change things!
> Also, don't expect a large performance increase or anything -
> especially on today's 2+ GHz machines, however - I look at each
> service you set to manual as one less service you have to worry about
> someone exploiting. A year ago, I would have thought the Windows
> Messenger service to be pretty safe, now I recommend (with addition
> of a firewall) that most home users disable it! Yeah - this is
> another one you have to work for, but your computer may speed up
> and/or be more secure because you took the time. And if you document
> what you do as you do it, next time, it goes MUCH faster! (or if you
> have to go back and re-enable things..)
>
> Task List Programs
> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
>
> Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
> http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
>
> Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
> http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
>
> There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when
> you start up the computer/logon. One of the better description on
> how to handle these I have found here:
>
> Startups
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
>
>
> That's it. A small booklet on how to keep your computer secure,
> clean of scum and more user friendly. I am SURE I missed something,
> almost as I am sure you won't read all of it (anyone for that
> matter.) However, I also know that someone who followed all of the
> advice above would also have less problems with their PC, less
> problems with viruses, less problems with spam, fewer problems with
> spyware and better performance than someone who didn't.
>
> Hope it helps.
>
> --
> <- Shenan ->