Office Update SP2

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill Ridgeway
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B

Bill Ridgeway

The latest Office update (SP2) seems to have caused a lot of problems and
queries -

It was, seemingly, a repeat of SP2 issued very recently
Some have been unable to download it (are they the lucky ones?)
Some have been unable to install it
Some have incurred problem having installed it

Despite numerous posts from several people to several NewsGroups the only
response from Microsoft (as I have seen) is to the effect that "we're
looking into it".

I would like to invite Microsoft to come clean and give us, its users and
its customers, an explanation of what is happening.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
 
Doug,

Thanks for your prompt response.

Unfortunately you haven't addressed the query that it was, seemingly, a
repeat of SP2 issued very recently.

You refer to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906323/ which infers that this
all that is necessary to get round the problem. If only life was that
straight-forward! Why is it then that the original SP2 downloaded and
installed OK but the revised SP2 either didn't download or caused problems
on install?

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
 
Just consider me the messenger.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP
 
If you want to contact Microsoft then the public newsgroups are not a
good way to do it. These are user-to-user groups. While a Microsoft rep
might check some messages from time-to-time, there is no way of knowing
when or if your message will be seen by any Microsoftie.

There is contact information here:
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/

Also, their toll-free phone numbers are available in the usual places.

In my experience, their usual response is to investigate the problem
including reproducing it, developing and testing a solution and then
releasing that solution to users. Personally, I would prefer to see them
do that than expend many man hours of time developing public explanations
and apologia. However, others have different views.

All the best.

Tom
MSMVP
Windows shell/User

: The latest Office update (SP2) seems to have caused a lot of problems
and
: queries -
:
: It was, seemingly, a repeat of SP2 issued very recently
: Some have been unable to download it (are they the lucky ones?)
: Some have been unable to install it
: Some have incurred problem having installed it
:
: Despite numerous posts from several people to several NewsGroups the
only
: response from Microsoft (as I have seen) is to the effect that "we're
: looking into it".
:
: I would like to invite Microsoft to come clean and give us, its users
and
: its customers, an explanation of what is happening.
:
: Regards.
:
: Bill Ridgeway
: Computer Solutions
:
:
 
After doing a masterful art of Crossposting "Bill Ridgeway" wrote the following


It was, seemingly, a repeat of SP2 issued very recently
Some have been unable to download it (are they the lucky ones?)
Some have been unable to install it
Some have incurred problem having installed it

Despite numerous posts from several people to several NewsGroups the only
response from Microsoft (as I have seen) is to the effect that "we're
looking into it".

I would like to invite Microsoft to come clean and give us, its users and
its customers, an explanation of what is happening.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
Click to expand...


Most people did not have any issues downloading and installing SP2 for Office 2003. Those that do have to look in to their own backyard for things that are out of place <s>

The only thing that was at fault from MS concerning SP2 was the MU and WU sites that reported that SP2 needs to be installed when it was already done so.

This has been corrected. If you still get this from those sites then go through the motion of installing it again and the issue will stop.
 
Bill,

Your best bet is to post your specific query on this newsgroup so that
some of us can help you out. In my opinion, it is futile to read about
people's problems and worry about it rather than addressing the issues.

Have you got any specific problems you want us to help you out?

In your other message you say: "Why is it then that the original SP2
downloaded and installed OK but the revised SP2 either didn't download
or caused problems on install?" Firstly, what original SP2 you are
talking about? Is it the beta version? SP2 (final) was released on:
09/27/2005 (or 27/09/2005 in UK date format) and for most the
installation went smoothly. Did you download the full version from this
website:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...97-2db6-4654-9db6-ec7d5b4dd867&DisplayLang=en

Sometimes, if the connection is dodgy, autoupdate may complicate the
matters. It is a good idea to download the entire package (50Mb or 104
MB) and then to update the system with it.

HTH
 
Thanks, Peter, for your reply. At the risk of thrashing this thread one
more time -

Yes I purposely cross posted as I just wasn't sure who was listening in or
from where I may get an answer. I don't usually cross post but thought it
possibly necessary on this important topic. Yes, I am aware that a
NewsGroup isn't the 'proper' way of reporting a problem to Microsoft but I'm
pretty sure they monitor relevant NewsGroups.

I take your point that those that have a problem should look to their own
for a solution. However, this topic was complicated by SP2 being made
available twice over. For my part the install did take a little while
indicating (and I was sure) that it was a slightly different animal and not
a duplicate.

One last question - more as a matter of curiosity. What is MU and WU and
how were they relevant in this issue?

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
 
MU = Microsoft Update WU - Windows Update

(crossposting also snipped to relevant groups - except for the Word group
for a courtesy response to Doug).

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Bill Ridgeway asked:

<snip>
|
| One last question - more as a matter of curiosity. What is MU and WU
| and how were they relevant in this issue?
|
| Thanks.
|
| Bill Ridgeway
| Computer Solutions
 
Microsoft have recently updated the KB article covering this issue which
provides the
options for dealing with this problem -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875556.


--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP
 
Gentlemen,
It is unseemly for you experts to "talk down" to Bill. He might have a
problem hoped to get help, not a dressing down. To put the situation into
perspective:

Whether or not you all know it, something odd is going on with Office 2003
SP2. I installed it via MU's "Custom" option shortly after it was released
to MU. At that time, MU indicated the installation was "successful." Then,
the middle of this past week, I again visited MU and was advised SP2 was
available. Again, I installed it with the "Custom" option and, unlike Bill,
MU indicated the installation was "successful." I don't have a problem with
SP2, just curious about what is going on.
GR
 
I don't think anyone is talking down to anyone. In fact, I think ANONYMOUS
presented a very helpful answer, plus follow-up questions..

There are known issues with the SP2 download (one reason I'm waiting to get
it on TechNet myself). What some of the previous posters suggested is that
"it didn't work" is never a very good problem description. If someone
presents specific information about an error (including the exact text of
any error message), it is much easier to troubleshoot.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.
 
Thanks GR!!

Thanks also to all the other responses to my query. It would seem that this
saga was due to MS making a slight error in not synchronising MU and WU.
However, it seems that this has been corrected. (No! I don't intend this to
be a catalyst for more MS bashing).

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
 
What is MU and WU and how were they relevant in this issue?
a) I'd assume Microsoft Update and Windows Update
b) Relevant because they were apparently giving some "false positives" as to
the need for SP2 updates on some machines that already had it.
 
Try doing a repair install, then try the update again:

Method 1 – Open Word, go to Help – Select Detect and Repair

or use Method 2 -

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Click the Office program that you want to repair, and then click Change.
4. In the Maintenance Mode Options dialog box, click Reinstall or Repair,
and then
click Next.
5. In the Reinstall or Repair Office dialog box, click Detect and Repair
errors in my
Office installation, and then click Install.
6. When the repair process is finished, run the update again.

Most likely you will need to have your Office 2003 cd running , will doing
the update
 
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