Windows XP Service
Pack 2 FAQ 's
Published by Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Service Pack 2 FAQ 's
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As part of this
website I maintain a FREE monthly
Windows XP newsletter.
In the August 2004 issue I asked readers for their questions
on the new Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Below are the most
commonly requested questions.
Please note that this Windows XP service pack 2 FAQ is aimed
at the home user only... Corporate users should seek advice from the
Microsoft website.
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Please also note that
the responses given are mine, as an IT Professional, and not that of
Microsoft. The advice given here is only offered "as is".
# Why is SP2 NOT for Windows XP HOME users as you said in your last
newsletter..?
This seems to be just a simple confusion. In my last newsletter I
gave a link to the "Network" installation of the Windows XP SP2 and
wrote that this was not for home users.... At a 260Mb download
most home users would not want it!
http://www.updatexp.com/august2004.html
# Do I need to uninstall the "public beta" of XP SP2 before I install
the official XP SP2 release (sometimes referred to as XP SP2 RTM).
YES.
If you have previously installed an earlier version of SP2
then you will need to remove it prior to installing this final
release.
# Is anybody independent of Microsoft recommending
XP SP2?
Yes they are. CERT are recommending users upgrade their
computers with the new service pack.
More at:
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/alerts/SA04-243A.html
# How do I get hold of Windows XP SP2...?
There are a few ways that you are going to get hold of
XP SP2 and not all of these will be available at the
same time.
1)
Through the Windows Update website. You can visit the site via:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
and it will then scan your machine and give you the option of
installing XP SP2 if appropriate.
2)
Through the network installation available for IT
professionals
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads
3)
Through turning on "Automatic Updates" on your computer.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327838
4)
Order Windows XP SP2 on a FREE CD from Microsoft
http://www.updatexp.com/XPSP2CD
5)
On the cover of September 2004 computer magazines.
# What hard disk space do I need to install SP2 on my
computer?
Good question! Depending on how you install XP SP2 you have
different requirements.
Microsoft have created a document you should read:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;837783
You may also find the "SP2 release notes" document helpful
too:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;835935
# I use Windows XP HOME and have some XP SP2 updates already
installed - Help! what am I supposed to do now?
Nothing but install XP SP2...
On Installation it will detect you already have some
updates installed that are post XP SP1.
#
Is XP SP2 buggy? will it slow my PC down? Should I wait to
install it until after it is tested more?
I have been testing various versions of this service pack for 6 months now. There were
some "bugs" in the early "beta" versions, but this final PUBLIC release is
very stable!
I have personally been installing this Windows service pack 2 on every kind of
computer I can get my hands on and only had one reboot issue that
resolved itself on a second attempt!
As for slowing down computers.... not something I
have come across although in theory as the "prefetch" cache will be
rebuilt you may see some initial sluggishness.
# Any reason to use XP SP2 firewall if I'm behind "NAT" on my
broadband router?
YES... You should still use the Windows firewall even
though you are using NAT (Network Address Translation) on your
router.
# I have read that MS say you should run an anti "Spy ware" on your
computer before you update to SP2. Is this true?
There is NO official policy from Microsoft on this. However there is
reportedly a quote from a group product manager at Microsoft, Barry
Goff, who said that users should do this to prevent SP2 "locking up"
on/after installation.
Using anti "Spy Ware" software on your computer is something I
recommend to ALL home users...whether they are using SP2 or not!
If you are very confident on your PC then take a look at SpyBot 1.3,
however be prepared to have to learn how to use it...
If you prefer a simple, yet very effective, solution then download
the free trial of "Spy Sweeper". Whilst the free trial is only for
15 days it is the best and easiest to use software of its kind for the
home user... (in my humble opinion.)
You can get the free trial download at:
http://www.1updatexp.com/sstrial.exe
(One of the really neat features is the amount of information
it provides on each item it finds...)
# I'm wondering about installation procedures -- what definitely
to do and what definitely not to do. In particular I'm curious about
compatibility issues with already installed firewall and anti-virus
programs.
The only installation procedure is hitting the "install" button.
The setup routine will automatically detect if you have a firewall
and anti-virus program installed by a major vendor.
# Can I have 2 firewalls running at the same time without any
conflicts?
Whilst there is no specific "technical" reason for running 2
firewalls at the same time, the practice is
not recommended.
If you are currently using a software firewall and are happy with it, then
you can disable the SP2 firewall and "nagging" balloons.
Many of the free and commercial firewalls available require user
input of some kind, especially responding to pop up windows that ask
for some sort of response that can confuse many home users.
With the SP2 windows firewall you just switch it on and forget about it. If
you find you ever need to configure it to work with a multiplayer
game etc, this is easily done in the properties section of the
firewall.
# My thought about SP2 is concerning what I read in PC World Mag.
Do you think it's a good idea to go ahead and allow it to all
download before it's been used for a few months by the majority of
XP users?
I think this is down to personal choice...
There has already been a huge amount of testing done on XP SP2 and
it is proving to be very stable.
If you feel that you would like to hold off and wait for more
results to appear in the online newsgroups, then that's OK. However
you will be missing out on some great new features
and protection.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx
# I have my auto download on for windows updates and it
downloaded several SP2 updates on my pc. Should I uninstall it/them,
or will it not hurt my system.
XP SP2 will detect that you already have and post SP1 updates
on your PC. By having them already installed actually means a
shorter download time as Automatic Update will not have to
download these files again...
# Why do I need Service Pack 2 if I have anti-virus and a
firewall enabled?
XP SP2
contains features that every home users requires. I
am glad to hear you have anti-virus and firewall software
installed, but SP2 goes far beyond this...
I shall be updating the following article very soon but by reading
it
you will get a more comprehensive overview of what is in
XP SP2.:
http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-service-pack-2.html
# I've been using the free version of Zone Alarm. Will it still
work or will Microsoft's new firewall make it obsolete?
If you are happy with Zone Alarm then carry on using it. On
installing XP SP2, Zone Alarm will be detected. The new Windows
Firewall in SP2 will not make it obsolete.
# Does XP Service Pack 2 include any new features
for NTFS ?
No changes were made to NTFS in XP Service Pack 2
# Have MS included the .NET 1.1 framework in SP2?
MS have NOT included the .NET framework in the SP2
upgrade.
# Does XP SP2 contain XP SP1 and all security
patches to date?
YES.
# Do you have any idea which magazine in which country will have
the Windows XP Service Pack 2 CDs on them?
Virtually all the major PC magazines have a local edition
that will have this CD on the front cover as we speak.
If not then
you can also get a FREE
CD from Microsoft:
http://www.updatexp.com/XPSP2CD
# Are there any reasons to NOT download the Windows XP Service
Pack 2? Will it cause any/many problems with the "average" home
computer users programs?
If you are a home user, with either XP Professional, XP Home
Edition, Tablet PC Edition or Media Center Edition. I can see NO
reason for NOT installing it.
In fact read the Top 10 reasons why you should:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx
However, if you are running computers on a company network
then you may want to hold back from installing SP2.
The reasons for this are varied and revolve around existing
corporate firewalls and custom built software installations...
# I am updating XP regularly so what is the need of this SP2? Is
it necessary?
As mentioned in several other replies, XP SP2 is not just a
collection of security patches. XP SP2 is a major upgrade to the
operating system itself and contains elements that can not be
obtained as separate downloads...
# If you install SP2 and don't like it, will going back to a
"Restore Point" eliminate SP2's changes or is there any other way to
"un-install" it?
There is the ability to remove Windows XP Service pack 2 in the
"Add/Remove" programs section.
I have tested this process on a "test" laptop running XP SP1
Professional and had no problems un-installing, or with using the
laptop after the XP SP2 un-installation.
# Is SP2 one big fix or are there features that could be
downloaded separately or exclusively?
XP SP2 is different to XP SP1 because it is not just a collection of
security updates and minor fixes.
XP
SP2 goes far beyond a typical Service Pack and introduces features
that are NOT available as a single download.
e.g.
-The new Security Centre
-The new Windows Firewall
-The updated Windows Movie Maker 2.1
-Internet Explorer Add-on Management tool
-Pop up blocker in Internet Explorer
-Boot time security
-Execution Protection that stops malicious code running
and a few more....
More reasons why you should upgrade:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx
# If I didn't get SP2 would that cause me problems in
obtaining or applying future Critical Updates from Windows?
(Automatic Update is turned off by choice)
Not initially, however there may come a time when Microsoft may stop
updates unless you have XP SP2 installed.
Besides... you will be missing out on some great new features!
See the Top 10 at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx
# Why should I not install the early version of xp2 update? I
already have it, I just have not gotten around to installing it yet.
The early update you are referring to is a "Beta" version of the
service pack and is NOT the same as the "Final" release now
available.
Please use the version now available!
Order Windows XP SP2 on a FREE CD from Microsoft
http://www.updatexp.com/XPSP2CD
# After I install SP2 can I still disable Windows Firewall as I
think I would prefer to use Norton. I have read that you should not
have two Firewalls running at the same time.
Yes you can. Microsoft have provided the facility to both "turn off"
the Windows Firewall and the messages that "nag" you to turn on the
Windows Firewall.
However XP SP2 should detect Norton's firewall on installation so
there should be no need to disable Windows Firewall.
# I hear that XP SP2 is a 200Mb download.. Is that true?
Not quite...
The Network Installation is around 266Mb, however this contains ALL
the files required to install XP SP2.
Many readers will have already many of SP1 and later security
updates installed on their computers so the installation for them
will be far, far smaller!
Order Windows XP SP2 on a
FREE CD
from Microsoft
http://www.updatexp.com/XPSP2CD
# It is being reported that some software will not work with
Windows XP SP2 installed, is this true.
Yes there are some programs that will have problems. Microsoft have
released a support article on this topic:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242
By default, the new Windows Firewall is enabled and this blocks
unsolicited connections to your computer. This article shows you how
to resolve the situation if you find yourself with a program that
will not work.
There is also a separate article on the new Windows Firewall that
readers may find helpful at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=843090
If you are still having problems then you can contact Microsoft
Support via:
http://support.microsoft.com
But for the majority of users you will never know the Windows
Firewall is up and running...
# My work colleague installed the Windows XP SP2 and then
suffered problems starting her computer. Will this happen to me?
There are some instances where this can happen. This is due to a
conflict with the hardware on some computers and can resolved by
installing a small piece of software called a BIOS update.
Microsoft have issued a support article on this issue, please read:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=885626
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Marc Liron -
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