I Uninstalled Windows SP2 and got my Computer Back; but I'm still Missing my D Drive Partition

[Old Professer]

A little while back I posted a comment that my D:\ drive partition had suddenly become corrupted and failed; try as I might, I can't get it back; since then, other mysterious molasses-mix malaise has bogged down my bodacious big-bucks budget-busting hustle to be the firstest with the mostest attempt at competing with the fast-fingered ever-alert avantgarde here on this oft-visited site...

[Old Professer]

In a flinding blash of light it occurred to me that, I, in my infinite stupidity had clicked on download for Windows SP2 and I set about resetting my course back to the past that had upset my future.

Well, Google to the rescue, a few lines of directory assistance and command keystroke later, my old grey mare is almost what it used to be.

Still, now, perched on the stoop of my monitor's porch is this little icon with a ball-shaped object and an innocuous "butterfly?" on its shoulder underseeing every move I make, ready to pounce again if my vigilance wanders; what if I climb to clean the gutter?

[GeronL]

Its a globe with the Windows flag symbol on it.

I am afraid to install SP2.... very afraid... It mocks me. I look away, afraid it will see me sweat...

[goldstategop]

I've had no problems with Windows XP SP2. There have been no issues with any of my installed programs. Like I said, create a restore point and then install it. That's all there is to it. On reboot, Windows will configure itself to recognize your anti-virus and firewall programs.

[GeronL]

Being a poor guy with little resources, I am afraid to lose my computer. Maybe in a week or so I'll give it a shot...

[SpaceBar]

I'm sorry, I borrowed your D drive. It's currently mounted as /dev/hdb1. You want it back?

[Old Professer]

My D:\ partition died first; that IS the restore location.

[Old Professer]

Actually, I am beginning to feel like the neighborhood dog who manages on three legs since the last yankee drove through town.

[goldstategop]

Its understandable. I had a failed install of XP SP2 on my laptop and stupidly sought to wipe my hard drive. Goback wouldn't let me. I finally disabled it and reinstalled Windows over itself, shut down every program including Goback and successfully installed SP2. Now everything works like a charm. You may screw things up but you can rarely break Windows - unless you take a hammer and smash in your monitor screen. LOL

[Pajamajan]

I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night ;-)
( dun't no nuthin 'bout them 'puters)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Being a poor guy with little resources, I am afraid to lose my computer. Maybe in a week or so I'll give it a shot...

Go to Linux , you'll get much more from your machine, and avoide the trojan horses, malware and virusesss......

[GeronL]

mmmm.... I wouldn't want to smash the monitor

[GeronL]

How does Linux treat peripherals?? What about games? (nothing real graphic intensive)

I like it like it is.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Don't change and don't update, but stay off of the internet.....

[GeronL]

My dial-up won't work with Linux, and I update... I have XP... I have a very good computer.

[Redcloak]

Butterflies are bugs. They may be pretty bugs, but they're still bugs. Have you considered a cuddly penguin in place of the bug?

A "live CD" version, such as Slax might let you into that D: drive. Just download, burn, and boot.

[Old Professer]

I left my guts about four cold boots back.

[ScottM1968]

I highly suggest doing some serious spyware searching, backing up your computer with imaging software (such as True Image, Drive Image, or Ghost) and attempting to reinstall Win XP SP2.

Microsoft has stated that spyware and adware can cause failure of the upgrade, but there are other concerns, too.


Microsoft's main page for SP2 is here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?&pr=windowsxpsp2

XP2 has so many good fixes, you really need to find a way to make it work. Be sure to run several spyware programs on your computer. A free Pest Patrol scan can be done, but it won't remove what it finds (but serves as a good idea of what your other programs didn't get).

[Proud Conservative2]

Windows XP Service Pack2 screwed up so many things on my Sony that I did a Restore and will NEVER try it again. The upgrade to the Latest Media Player was a disaster too. I have a 17 month old computer that never had a problem until windows downloaded the upgrades...go figure.

I hope you get everything back to normal soon. It would be nice if Microsoft would work the bugs out BEFORE sending these upgrades to us!

[GeronL]

Your post was meant for OP..

I am too scared to install it. Even as it sits on the toolbar and mocks me.

[Wooly]

Question > Do I need to install SP2 to make my computer safe?
Answer > No!
Fact> If you keep up to date with the Windows Critical Updates then the only thing that you will get from SP2 is additional features such as a very limited firewall that isn't very good, a security nag that you will end up disabling, and the newer version of Media Player which has more digital copyright management built in to it.
Sound good so far?
You will also find that your present firewall and anti-virus software may not work anymore. If you are a music downloader using P2P software, it may also no longer work.
Finally if you try to un-install it or go back using System Restore, you may find that a lot of software still doesn't work. And I forgot that you will also have to install Java Runtime since SP2 will un-install the one that was in SP1.
I have seen several computers that SP2 screwed up, in all cases they were running P2P software, a free firewall, and a anti-virus program other than Norton or McAfee.
The only way to install SP2 is when you are doing a clean install, then you probably will not want it due to the other stuff in it. Fact is SP2 is garbage that was rushed out for publicity reasons and to get stiffer DCRM protocols on computers to satisfy the entertainment industry.
Believe me when I tell you that all you need to do is keep the critical updates up to date to close the holes in XP as they are found. For IE security quit using it and go to Mozilla or Firefox, or at least download and install XP Anti-Spy to close some of the service that leave the OS and IE open to tampering.
And one other thing, never ever download and install the driver updates that show up on the Windows Update site! They don't always cause problems, but they will on occasion and cause a real headache. This is really true for drivers that need to be un-installed, like video and sound, before being updated. The safest way is to update these is from the manufacturer's support site. And if you don't know what you have in your computer, download/install/run Everest Home Edition (Free) from the link below. This program will tell you what is installed in your computer and give you the website link in most cases.