SP3 update dangerous?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Miklos
  • Start date Start date
M

Miklos

I spent about 50 minutes getting the SP3 pack and right before I was to apply
the updates; a warning said I must back up all data and the system.
1. How would I do a total backup in the middle of updating? I can't do a
system backup while I'm doing the upgrade.
2. Do I really need to do a full backup of everything? Does SP3 have
problems & destroy data and files?
 
Miklos said:
I spent about 50 minutes getting the SP3 pack and right before I was to
apply
the updates; a warning said I must back up all data and the system.
1. How would I do a total backup in the middle of updating? I can't do a
system backup while I'm doing the upgrade.
2. Do I really need to do a full backup of everything? Does SP3 have
problems & destroy data and files?
Click to expand...
1. You make the backup before you start installing the update.
2..All updates can cause problems. It is better to be safe than sorry.
If, like myself, you have your data on a separate disk drive, you merely
disconnect the drive.
Jim
 
My point was Microsoft should tell you before starting the hour long update
where the warning appears after 50 minutes.

Also I haven't been able to clone my C: drive because I have a Sata
controller card and Ghost 10 could never see the drivers.
I bought Acronis True Image 11 but haven't tried a clone backup of the OS on
C:
I did do some Office updates today.
I read that SP3 might have problems updating Office.
 
Miklos said:
My point was Microsoft should tell you before starting the hour long
update
where the warning appears after 50 minutes.
Click to expand...

Frankly, this is ordinary and basic good practice. You should always do a
backup prior to any significant system change (aside from the backups that
you should be doing anyway).

I never use Windows Update for major service pack installs. I always
download the "IT" or "network install" version, burn it to CD, and install
from that. I find it overall faster and much more reliable.
Also I haven't been able to clone my C: drive because I have a Sata
controller card and Ghost 10 could never see the drivers.
Click to expand...

Well, that's a good reason to shift from that product.

But, see if you can shift card to a "legacy" or "compatibility" mode from
AHCI mode, which will reduce performance but should remove that problem.

If you install the imaging software on another system, and host the drive
using SATA/USB or IDE/USB adapters or drive cases, you should not have these
problems at all. The adapters can be had for around $20, and are very
useful tools.
I bought Acronis True Image 11 but haven't tried a clone backup of the OS
on
C:
Click to expand...

To be clear for what I refer to below, a clone is copying one disk "right
now" to another physical disk. Imaging is creating a single-file
representation of a drive that you can restore at another time to another
drive.

I regularly use TrueImage to clone and image SATA drives, though my systems
do not use add-on controller cards. I have no problems at all with this; I
expect that you are running into this because Ghost wants to reboot to do
the clone. Often, TrueImage does not need to reboot to create an image,
though sometimes it does to clone one disk to another.

I did do some Office updates today.
Click to expand...
I read that SP3 might have problems updating Office.
Click to expand...

I haven't found any, personally. But, SP3 does not update Office, only the
XP OS.

HTH
-pk
 
Release notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Some third-party programs may experience a change in functionality after you install
Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947309

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco



|I spent about 50 minutes getting the SP3 pack and right before I was to apply
| the updates; a warning said I must back up all data and the system.
| 1. How would I do a total backup in the middle of updating? I can't do a
| system backup while I'm doing the upgrade.
| 2. Do I really need to do a full backup of everything? Does SP3 have
| problems & destroy data and files?
 
Backing up before a major update is common sense, I don't see how it's
Microsoft's responsibility to tell you to back up your important data. What
happens to your data if you have a hard drive crash and no backup? Would you
blame the hard drive manufacturer for the data loss because they didn't tell
you to backup?
 
How do I go to AHCI mode?
I want to do an exact clone of my C: drive and then replace it with the new
drive I copied it to.
 
Just a comment on your good advice on preparing for updates:

Microsoft also really stresses using automatic updates. Where the update
does not require user preparation or input for such things as disabling
anti-virus or firewall protection. And often happens without user knowledge.

I suspect this is the method chosen by most home users. Without knowing
precautions were needed, when one of these auto installs does go wrong, the
average user would get no hint except that his/her computer suddenly stops
working or perhaps now works erratically.

Personally I'd never trust auto updates for any OS, but most people I know
believe Microsoft's heavy promotion of this method. And most service pack
updates are just too large to be left to chance.
 
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