XP Service Pack 2???

[WendyZ]

OK...my automatic updates has brought me the service pack 2. I was wondering if anyone is downloading it yet? How have things gone for you? I know there are issues with this update. Some of you said you were waiting until Sept. to download it.

Just looking to see how it's gone and what to expect before I attempt this one!
Thanks!!

 

[jx3smom]

I did it on my computer at work yesterday and it took forever! We still have dialup so maybe that is why. It did go smoothly and I am now updating my co-workers computer.

 

[shelbyjosh]

I did it on mine last week and I am on Comcast. It still took a good 1.5 hours!! I don't really notice anything different about XP.

 

[Amy]

We have a dial-up connection at home, so I ordered the XP Service Pack 2 cd-rom from the Microsoft website; it came within 3 days or so, no problem installing. Haven't had any problems running XP so far, knock on wood!

 

[Christine]

I've had it for a few weeks now and no problems. It took about 1 hour to load at that was on Comcast Cable.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I, for myself. will wait till later in the year. That seems to be the overall suggestion by the tech community 'advice folks'. They all say it needs to be done, but with known issues, and maybe more importantly, the unknown ones, the little bugs and all, that best advice is to hold off for some weeks, maybe a month or two. I am heeding their advice.

I know of several folks, some here on the DIS, who have updated and had no problems. I know of several who did beta work (I, personally, would not beta on anything that big) and had no real problems. I have not heard of anyone who has updated and had problems. But I'll wait a bit, for my own machines.

Additionally, if you are diligent in your other MS updates, especially criticals (there was another yesterday, regarding jpg's), diligent with your anti-virus, spyware, firewall updates, at least weekly (mine are daily or constant), SP2 does not bring a whole lot new to the table.

Here is a link that may point out some issues. I did order the CD, just to have in my CD file and when I decide to update, will use the CD.

 

[airhead]

...I have had no problems at all. Infact in has rid me of all the annoying pop-ups! It took about me about 30 minutes .

 

[Madi100]

I tried downloading it yesterday. We have dial-up. (Can we take a moment here to feel sorry for me ) It took 2 hours and 53 minutes. Or it was going to. I could never get it to finish downloading. I got through 2 hours and 45 minutes of it. Then our phone rang, which normally doesn't knock us offline. But, for some reason it did, and I had 2 Hours, 45 minutes done.

There is something wrong with my computer right now. I have MSN. I have to try three or four times in the morning before it will open. It's not responding. I'm not sure what to do about that. I know what I'd like to do, but that would mean not only replacing the computer, but also the kitchen window.

 

[my3kids]

It seems okay with me. I have noticed that photos are not loading on emails anymore. There is a bar which appears at the the top and says the photos are not displayed so they can't send back information about my computer to the sender. These are from places like Travelocity and AAA Travel. That is the only odd thing I've noticed.

 

[JoNo]

Right now SP2 has a few holes in it's security, but they've been fixed. If you want to update, go for it. I've been using SP2 since it was BETA & had no problems, however the big download is a major turnoff for a lot of people. I think it's worth it for it's updates though.

And if you don't want to spend half your natural life downloading it, you can get it on cd here (clicky!)

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks guys! I do have the cd, so if I decide to go for it...I think I'll use that!

 

[patsvette]

i did and i love the new popup blocker it has and the better built in firewall and im on comcast it took about an hour to download.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by my3kids
It seems okay with me. I have noticed that photos are not loading on emails anymore. There is a bar which appears at the the top and says the photos are not displayed so they can't send back information about my computer to the sender. These are from places like Travelocity and AAA Travel. That is the only odd thing I've noticed.

There is a way to fix that! Just go into your e-mail, I'm assuming Outlook Express. Click on Tools then Options. Once in options, click on Security. There is a section called Download Images, uncheck the box in that section, then click Update and OK and you're pictures and images should download just fine in e-mail!!!

 

[Fire14]

Originally posted by my3kids
It seems okay with me. I have noticed that photos are not loading on emails anymore. There is a bar which appears at the the top and says the photos are not displayed so they can't send back information about my computer to the sender. These are from places like Travelocity and AAA Travel. That is the only odd thing I've noticed.

To get pics back into emails you need to go into Tools, options, serity and uncheck box that says bloc images and other external content in HTML.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by Fire14
To get pics back into emails you need to go into Tools, options, serity and uncheck box that says bloc images and other external content in HTML.

Be warned that you might be asking for SPAM (and other nefarious things) if you allow and and all images and HTML content to show up in email messages. There's a reason they are blocked by default. SPAMERS often put spam beacons in images and HTML code to ensure they've pinged a valid email address. I would suggest leaving it on and only viewing images from known email addressess.

As for SP2, yea, you can get around it, somewhat, by downloading the various and sundry patches and security fixes. Not the most efficient way to go, but it does work. SP2 would give you a more supportable solution.

 

[Galahad]

Updated one of our home machines a week or so ago. Had a frustrating issue with the install bombing in the middle. Had to restore the OP and re-install the SP. After that, all is good. Will probably cross my fingers and do DS's machine this weekend. You'll want to also check the firewall settings after you install it. We have McAffee firewall installed and opted to stay with that and turn of the XP firewall. Don't know if it is the best choice, but my gut told me that two firewalls running might just give me a few problems. As it was, had to reconfigure my wireless printer (though the rest of the wireless network didn't seem to have an issue).