Solution to threat Windows XP SP2

[argon007]

According the member's problem of Windows XP SP2 on this forum, I was thinking of the solution to threat Windows XP SP2, because there are many unknown problems when you install Windows XP SP2 on nonreinstall computer (before you install Windows XP SP2, many softwares are installed with Windows XP SP1a or Windows XP SP1 which don't have the problems.)

so.. I have the solution which is shared by the member on ICST forum in Taiwan..

1. Reinstall Windows XP on clean disk. (It will ruin your data on first drive, so if you have important information on the first disk, back them up to the second drive.)

2. Install Windows XP SP2.

3. Install other softwares that you like.

(about 1 and 2: you can use that Windows XP CD intergrated with SP2, that will save your time)

(about 3: you can make your own unattended XP CD to solve it, but you need to be a advanced user or above)

If you were using the Windows XP SP1a or Windows XP SP1 with many softwares, then I would recommend you not to install Windows XP SP2, because there will be many unknown problems after you install Windows XP SP2.

Here are some posts of the members in the last 10 pages on this discussion area which have the problems after they install Windows XP SP2.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=27775

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=26498

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=25620

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=27211

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=27269

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=27230

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=27409

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=24595

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=27138

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=24534

ok, that is all..

[argon007]

No reply?can you give me a comment? thank you.

[XPero]

Here is a comment You're right. What I always recommend (and do) after a major Windows update (like Service Pack 2)is released is to make a clean install.

[tarquel]

Yep...its always recommended that you do a clean install with something like this.

Here's a funny tale on this:

I disabled NIS2004 and installed the FULL SP2 on my machine....

For some reason, it stuck at the end (cant remember if it was the cleaning up bit or not but it was near the end) and I had no choice but to reset the machine...

...a thumbs up for MS in that it detected that the SP hadnt fully installed and told me that I'd have to uninstall it and try again.

I did (this took quite a while) and before installing it again, I uninstalled a few other programs for good measure....

This time it worked no trouble.

So I'd recommend if you do want to do it and dont want to start from fresh, uninstall all the programs that you really dont need i.e. RealPlayer, QuickTime, Adobe, Anti-Spyware, etc... - making sure that they dont leave anything (plugged-in to windows - i.e. some anti-spyware might) and run a reg cleaner (i.e. Norton Systemworks 2003/4 from CD) to help clear up any invalid settings and stuff that might be in the registry.

You could also run scandisk & defrag for good measure - imagine it trying to upgrade a install of XP which is installed on bad sectors or has filesystem errors .....eeek.

All the best with your SP2 fun

Regards,

N.

[argon007]

no more comment?!

sad....i am so sad...

because i think it is a good solution to threat Windows XP SP2.

[N1K]

You got point there Argon, thx for your effort...

[DisabledTrucker]

Either that or obtain newer versions of the software in question or find other software which does work correctly.

Most of the software I use works just fine in XP SP2 and what doesn't I have already replaced with better/newer software from either the same company or a different one, depending on preference.

There are so many other programs which work just fine with SP-2 and even more coming out daily, if not more often, which support it, that incompatibilities are a non-issue. All one has to do is realize it's time to either upgrade their outdated software, or wait to obtain a patch from the manufacturer of the patch, which most likely wont happen, or if it does more than likely will either take forever to come about or cost you anyways.

Besides, this gives everyone a chance like when SP-1 came out, to look elsewhere for cheaper/better software, which is what I did when SP-1 come out, and if necessary will do again, though I don't forsee it. Try even looking at the free software which is abundantly available on the internet, you may find an application which does pretty much, if not everything you need for the cost of the service to download it. Sure you may not get documentation, or support, or a book with it, but most of that information is widely available somewhere on the net, all you have to do is search for it. Which is what the majority of people do anyways, because the more up to date information is on the net. Though a lot of times there will be some sort of documentation which will be in downloadble format.

Take the case of Office, there is already a version which works, OpenOffice, and it's free! Norton/McAfee aren't really the best virus scanners on the market anyway's so I would reccommend either using AVG which is detected by the Security Center and has a very nice free version available, or Nod32, which is supposed to be one of the best and they too have a free version available. Zone Alarm 5 works with SP-2, though I hear people are having a few problems with it, I can't say as I have though, then again I have a 5 client Pro license of it. Pest Patrol 4 works perfectly with SP-2, as does DVDDecrypter, MusicMatch, iTunes, and WMP which all handle all of my DVD/CD burning tasks.

Anyways, my point is if your programs don't work with SP-2 either upgrade them or find newer software which will, you may be happier when you do, especially when there are free programs which will do the same things, albeit somewhat differently.