Windows XP - To SP2 or not to SP2 ?

Halcyon · 20-09-2005, 01:49

Since building my new PC, I havent had any real need to connect it to the net as yet so I have only got WINDOWS XP PRO + SERVICE PACK 1 installed at the moment.

Now Im going to be connecting the machine to the net.

Do I really neeed to download Service pack 2 when it will ask for updates ?

- I will be behind a wired router.

- I dont use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Outlook Express so dont need any more of that Microsoft cheese.

- I will have Zone alarm and probably put on AVG. do I really need that new Windows Firewall ? Is it better than Zone ALarm ?

The reason I ask is becuase I have had 2 friends who have installed SP2 on a system thats already been in use. eg. not straight after an O.S install, and its made more damage than good with their Windows coming out with all sorts of weird problems.
Plus I dont want to reformat everything and install afresh just to put on a service pack.

What are your opinions.

Thanks,

Halcyon.

Matthew · 20-09-2005, 01:51

Personally I would install it but its upto you.

20-09-2005, 01:51

I'd put it on, it contains so much more than security, helps my system run smoother too (always up to date to any software upgrades available).

Halcyon · 20-09-2005, 01:54

Oh right, I just assumed it was full of patches for security.
Thanks.

nffc · 20-09-2005, 01:58

SP2 all the way, it's smoother and that's in spite of the extra security.

20-09-2005, 01:59

The only other thing I'd mention is this, if you're running your PC with any ATI card, make sure you download from microsoft windows update all the .net stuff, ATI seems to insist on this before it lets you update your graphics card drivers.

Simcut · 20-09-2005, 02:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Bla bla bla bla bla....

Thanks,

Halcyon.

Hey Halcyon, long time no speak, get your **** on MSN more often m8! hope all is well

B&W - Mistaken (Fictivision Mix) owns by the way ;]

Speak soon!

Simon

akane1984 · 20-09-2005, 09:20

i would go for sp2. its more secure and reliable.

20-09-2005, 11:32

Back up everything first just in case.Err on the side of caution ive seen sp2 totally kill a well used OS so beware of the risks

Halcyon · 20-09-2005, 11:38

Many thanks guys.
I think I'l backup everything and give it a go.

I do have an ATI card, so I'l make sure I observe that.

punky · 20-09-2005, 12:31

Be careful with updating it.

I can't even run the update, as it always crashes mid-install. The other day, I put a fresh harddrive in for something else, and didn't have a SP1 disk around, only SP2. I installed it and had no end of trouble. Mouse kept freezing, network card wouldn't work. Came home, put my old hard drive in, and it worked. SP2 wouldn't work, despite installing it twice off 2 different disks.

I have a really common board as well Asus A7V333.

I installed SP2 on an older machine that used to run SP1, and it definitely runs much more slowly now. I'd advise. So SP2 is a big no-no for me.

Halcyon · 20-09-2005, 14:26

Hmmmm, mixed opinions.
Am I REALLY going to be open to hacker, viruses, and any other threats without SP2 when I already have SP1 ?

20-09-2005, 15:00

I run a machine quite happy on sp1, Ive had total system crashes caused by upgrading to sp2 using windows updates and from cd,ive also has successful upgrades.What ive done for myself is created a slipstream version using nlite and done a repair install of xp with the new sp2 slipstreamed into it,This may well be to much hassle for you but ive had a higher success rate this way.
I also know theres a lot of people who have no porblems and plenty who have not.I think coggy had a failed upgrade too