Windows XP Service Pack 2 question

[EStreetJoe]

Umm, yeah. I think, especially since Vista is coming out, that the bugs have more or less been worked out.
After you install SP2, be sure to run Windows Update and fix the fixes...

Vista still has issues and I'm not too happy with some of its functionality. I have it running on one of my machines but it has really high minimum requirements so it isn't really suggested for use on many of the machines that were purchased more than a few months ago.

In terms of XP SP2... You should always backup but there is rarely a problem installing these things. Just go to the website and run their updates. It could take a few hours but it is worth the time to keep updating.

Better to upgrade to SP2 off the website or off the disc they offered?

 

[slappy4428]

Can't say. I had some guys at work download it for me when it first came out because I had dialup and wasnt spending 8 hours to download 22 megs.
I would think off the website, simply because when its installed, you can go right to fixing the fixes they have in Windows Update.

 

[FuerteJ]

Here's my question: Is SP2 good only if you have Microsoft Office? Cause I don't have Microsoft Office and when I went to download SP2, it had a bunch of stuff related to Office.

 

[slappy4428]

Here's my question: Is SP2 good only if you have Microsoft Office? Cause I don't have Microsoft Office and when I went to download SP2, it had a bunch of stuff related to Office.

No, its fine.
its one of those Microsoft things, giving you what you dont need. But if you do install office, the fixes are in, so to speak.

 

[Comma Chameleon]

Stupid question here: How do I find out if I have Service Pack 2 already installed? My update history goes back years. Is there a simple way to check?

 

[ARD]

Press the Windows key and the Pause/Break key to bring up the System Properties panel. First item should be "System," which will tell you which version of XP you're running. Mine says:

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

I'm about to start the process of backing up everything important on my hard drive and then making an appointment to have someone come over and upgrade me to SP2. I'm pretty computer literate, but I've heard horror stories about problems upgrading to SP2 - so I'm leaning toward getting a computer pro over to install it for me off the disc I ordered.
So... how many programs and files are lost during the upgrade to SP2?

None. It's more or less Windows XP 1.5.

I installed SP2 right after it was released and never had a problem --- not one. And that's with a computer that had received several upgrades since purchase (256 Mbytes RAM, slightly overclocked nVidia video card, USB+Firewire card).

Better to upgrade to SP2 off the website or off the disc they offered?

It goes without saying that having all the update material physically on a CD is faster than downloading it. I upgraded with that CD and never had a significant problem.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Stupid question here: How do I find out if I have Service Pack 2 already installed? My update history goes back years. Is there a simple way to check?

When you reboot your computer and the Windows XP screen comes up, look at the KITT-style blocky line about 2/3 of the way down. If it's blue, you have SP2.