Windows XP forum: Don't Load Windows XP SP2

How do I get the Cd for SP2 I have lots of Problems too with it My husband has it and he don't have any trouble

I have a very high end laptop. Pretty much a mobile workstation.

I was told by Hypersonic Tech support:
1: SP2 isn't compatible with a lot of older systems (ok after reading other posts, updating bios may fix this)

2: Some games...not necessarily old ones, won't run at
all on SP2 LAME!

3: New IE security features are garbage! I work with Flash a lot, and now I can't even view Flash files locally, without clicking to allow it, every single time. Best part...there is no way to turn this feature off. Only solution I've found is to add a bunch of extra code to my pages to bypass it. REALLY LAME!!!

I installed SP2 last October and have had no problems relating to the Service Pack. After installation I did disable their firewall as I did not need it. I was not having any issues before the install and am not having any issues after installation. I am running a Sony machine with a 3.4 gigahertz pentium IV processor.

I installed XP SP2 on my notebook and it seems to be fine apart from constantantly telling me I don't have anti-virus software running... which I do.

My problem is that I have a desktop computer that I got when I left my job and SP2 won't install because the XP that is on the computer seems to have a license that is registered to a company, or some such thing. I am told I can get around that issue by tinkering with the registry and putting in a "good" license number.

Is this true, if so is there a small piece of software that I can trust to do the job for me? I am very reluctant to fiddle with the registry.

Thanks for any insights you could offer

I agree with Markflax's reply, in that that was total non-sense advice.
One thing you and others need to be made aware of is there is a list of NoN-compatable software issues with WIndows Xp and the Sp-2 update in the Microsoft web site. Two very predominent Anti-virus companies are listed, Mc Affee and Norton. As well they give you suggestions on what to use instead. Homework people, can not get around it. I know they sell these off the shelf units already packed with what they think will sell the machines because people are familiar with name associations, BUT?, When I see everyday people bringing their machines into my shop with the same issues with lock-ups, lagging, or total shutdowns after they get updates and or load software, I know they did not do their homework before checking things out first. And they end up having to start all over from scratch. That s why I set all my customers up with a DISE drive that is partioned so if they do something they can revert back to what I set up from the beginning from the GUI interface that reformats the harddrive automatically back to prior original set specifications. But then it means making sure they have all their data backed up they want to keep prior to reversion because they will lose everything as with any reformatting of a hard drive will do.

I also installed SP and developed many new problems. Some from trying to fix it. Finally found it had changed my internet adresses and had to reinstall the 2 wire from Bellsouth. Then all was well.

The technician's comment, "...SP2 would sometimes cause problems unless the system was originally configured with SP2..." should have been by all rights a CEM (Career Ending Move).

Such comments (i.e. denigrating the OS, and/or other obnoxious software e.g. AOL) were *severly* frowned upon during my 2 1/2 year tenure as a Windows 9x tech.

It is the technician's responsibility to provide the caller with the best possible support within the scope of the product's support boundaries, period. Opinions should only be offered *if asked* and qualified as such.

So far, have installed SP2 on three computers. A Gateway desktop with a 500mhz processor, a Northgate laptop with a 1.3ghz processor, and an HP desktop with a 450mhz processor. All three machines run perfectly, only very few programs were not compatible with XP, and even the hardware that it said would not work with XP works after reinstalling the software for it.

I guess I just don't understand why so many people are having trouble with SP2. Makes me wonder if it is possible there are a lot of people out there that take these things and make changes when the are loading them or don't allow the load to take place as it should or something.

Loading SP2 can create a number of problems unless you do your homework very carefully. It is not the simple process microsoft would like you to believe. I have a Dell system and, after much research, I have made the decision not to install SP2 at this time.

Meanwhile I will rely on good, updated anti virus software. a good firewall such as Zone Alarm (The best firewall available; the basic version of which is free) and good anti spyware software as well as being careful what web sites I visit. More importantly I have also dumped the security flaw riddled Internet Explorer in favor of the Mozilla Firefox Browser which is a much better, safer browser (and totally free to use).

If you visit the Dell website you will find a great deal of advice as to what you need to do to make SP2 work properly. For example, dell recommends updating all your drivers to the latest configuration as well as checking to see if you need to do a BIOS update. My Dell isn't that old and they are still recommending a BIOS update for it before installing SP2. You should also do a full backup of your system before even trying to load SP2. There are also known conflicts between SP2 and a number of software programs which can cause problems. In addition, you may find other problems such as being unable to synchronize your Pocket PC (if you have one). Finally, CNet is already reporting that a Russian software security firm has found a way to bypass the new security features of SP2.

In conclusion, the decision to install SP2 is yours and you may get SP2 to work fine with some careful research and preparation. However, installation of SP2 is NOT a simple plug and play operation as many would have you believe, especially on older windows XP machines. It may appear to work initially but end up causing numerious problems later on as you have already found out.

Remember, most of the security flaws you have to worry about on the Web are due to flaws in IE. Changing your browser will eliminate a good number of them. A good fire wall, updated virus software and good updated anti spyware software will take care of the rest if you exercise some common sense when surfing and reading e-mail.

Hope this helps.

SP2 is a very good upgrade to WinXP. Whether it is best for you personally, is a "relative" matter. If you only use your computer to check your email, and read the news, and you are happy the way it is, then wait to do the upgrade. Some of the initial "bugs" will be worked out by the heavy users, and your later upgrade will be less painful.
I have been around a while, and remember people saying the you should not upgrade from "Windows for Workgroups" to "Windows 95", it would cause you more problems than it is worth. Obviously, in time everyone upgrades. You can't survive if you don't. However, it might be more prudent if you waited, depending on your personal use of your computer, and how many problems you are willing to work through.

I totally agree, if you do not have SP2 preloaded it is a risk you take by updating your system with it. Make sure you have good backups and restore points.

I do IT consulting on as a side business and SP2 created all kinds of problems for my computers. I have yanked it off all of mine and now they work fine. You still get security updates with SP1 so bugs are fixed. I see no benefit other than having the annoyance of some of SP2's overt / access mechanizations.

Maybe if you uninstall then reload your scanner there is a possibility that it will work?

I loaded sp2 3 months ago , and have had no problems.

what difference does this make? I am a newbie and would appreciate the your answer.. Thanks

Just spent many hours straightening out my mach after a conflict between AOL + SP2 crashed my system. AOL 9.0 requires a patch available from AOL to work with SP2. Of course AOL can't be bothered to let you know even though they know what your operating sys is. It partially disabled my A\V, totally disabled my firewall + wouldn't let me on-line. Had 2 install sys on a spare drive + reload everything before got back on-line. Totally trashed the first partition of both HDD. Was only able to recover one, didn't have a recent backup. Now running a fresh copy of XP w\ SP2 on cable, no more dialup.