So, do I really need SP2?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PRNole
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PRNole

I don't use IE or OE for browsing or email
I use Zone Alarm Pro for firewall
I use a 3rd party antivirus software
I use DSL for Internet access

Given that 80% to 90% of the reasons for installing SP2 have to do with
IE/OE-related firewall/browser security, I'm not sure an improvement in
Direct X and more efficient downloads via dial-up modems would tip the
balance toward installing it.

I'm open about this, so if I can expect an improvement in areas *other*
than those mentioned above I would definitely install SP2 (I have the CD).

Would appreciate serious thoughts or arguments *for* installing it...
 
SP2 updates over 5 millions lines of code in Windows XP
in order to enhance its overall security and fix previous
known issues.

You may wish to view the following:

Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/topten.mspx

List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811113&Product=windowsxpsp2

Learn About Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx

Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Checklist
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I don't use IE or OE for browsing or email
| I use Zone Alarm Pro for firewall
| I use a 3rd party antivirus software
| I use DSL for Internet access
|
| Given that 80% to 90% of the reasons for installing SP2 have to do with
| IE/OE-related firewall/browser security, I'm not sure an improvement in
| Direct X and more efficient downloads via dial-up modems would tip the
| balance toward installing it.
|
| I'm open about this, so if I can expect an improvement in areas *other*
| than those mentioned above I would definitely install SP2 (I have the CD).
|
| Would appreciate serious thoughts or arguments *for* installing it...
 
PRNole said:
I don't use IE or OE for browsing or email
I use Zone Alarm Pro for firewall
I use a 3rd party antivirus software
I use DSL for Internet access

Given that 80% to 90% of the reasons for installing SP2 have to do with
IE/OE-related firewall/browser security, I'm not sure an improvement in
Direct X and more efficient downloads via dial-up modems would tip the
balance toward installing it.

I'm open about this, so if I can expect an improvement in areas *other*
than those mentioned above I would definitely install SP2 (I have the CD).

Would appreciate serious thoughts or arguments *for* installing it...
Click to expand...
If you don't like Microsoft or your computer, I think you don't have to
do anything.
 
Read this article and pay close attention to the last
paragraph: http://www.vnunet.com/news/1159322
Click to expand...

I've been reading and learning and have yet to install SP2,
primarily because I'm still concerned about app
compatibility on my older apps. Even M$ Office 97 is a
problem for me. Yes, there's an SP2 patch for it, but only
if I pre-install all the previous Office SPs, one of which
has always failed for me in the past.

But, that issue aside, the article you quote is quite
interesting. I've read the M$ articles Carey Fritsch quoted
for all the good things in SP2 (although I seriously doubt a
M$ MVP would ever say there are things in SP2 that are not
good!). So, considering that SP2 is virtually a rewrite of
all of XP's security functions (which were notoriously weak
and easily exploitable), it is disconcerting to find that
there are at least 10 major holes in SP2. I've read articles
in the last month or so about vulnerability of SP2, this one
just puts the icing on the cake.

So, my question (and for the OP of this thread) is: should I
go through the pain and potential loss of apps to go to SP2
now or wait some more?

I clearly do not expect M$ to re-issue SP2. Rather, I expect
SP2 Critical Updates to be created as each vulnerability is
corrected.

Thanks for your help/advice as well as anyone else who
responds to this thread.
 
So, my question (and for the OP of this thread) is: should I
go through the pain and potential loss of apps to go to SP2
now or wait some more?
Click to expand...

Any major update, such as a service pack, is stressful. Results can't be
guaranteed but you have "works for most systems" going in your favor.
Backup is your friend. So is uninstall (SP2 can be uninstalled), System
Restore and a good imaging program if you have one.

Personally, I've had no problems with SP2 on any of the family's systems
that I've installed it on: a home built desktop, 2 models of Tablet PCs,
two Dell desktops (shipped with XP RTM) and an older Gateway (originally
shipped with Win98SE and subsequently upgraded to XP). One system needed
some tweaking in the firewall for online gaming but otherwise all installed
programs "lived" through the update.

"Prepare for the worst and hope for the best." -My Mother
 
SP2, like any other update by any software vendor, is imperfect. Because I'm
cautious, at home one of my computers has SP2 and the other doesn't. The
applications are pretty much the same, though the hardware is different.
Here's the apps I had problems with: Nero & Roxio. Both software vendors
had updates that fixed my problem.

At work we deal with a variety of hardware platforms and I deal with
faculty/student home PCs. Most of the SP2-related calls I get are related to
the popup blocker--in other words, learning how to enable popups when you
want them. The serious SP2 issues I've seen are related to spyware,
specifically TVMedia, which breaks SP2 unless it's eradicated first. MS has
a tool for removing TVMedia.

IMO, here are some reasons to install SP2: popup blockers (not an issue if
you use FireFox); it patches some security holes (again, may not be an issue
if you apply all the security patches, keep it up to date, use anti-virus to
keep viruses in control, trojan-removers to keep the trojans/worms that
anti-virus doesn't catch under control, and use spyware removal tools to keep
that under control). In recent weeks (in our organization) all but one of
the computers with viruses/trojans that we've had to go out to fix were
without SP2--IMO the strongest reason to install it.

As others have said, backup and preparation are key.
 
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