Posted on 08/12/2004 9:46:18 PM PDT by LTCJ
Windows XP Service Pack 2: Install With Care
By Frank J. Ohlhorst and Vincent A. Randazzese, CRN
9:00 AM EDT Fri. Jul. 23, 2004
The real surprise with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 isn't potential compatibility issues, but the mayhem that can occur when SP2 is downloaded onto a system.
CRN Test Center engineers evaluated a release candidate two (RC2) version of SP2, and upon completion of the install on three out of five systems, the machines blue-screened. A message stated that "winserv" was missing. The blue screen occurred on both Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel platforms, and all systems were running Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 1 installed. Every possible avenue to get back into Windows failed.
To remedy the problem, CRN Test Center engineers reached out to Microsoft. The company provided instructions on how to work around the blue screen and uninstall SP2, but it didn't answer questions on what causes the blue screen or the specific systems that may be affected. Microsoft recommended using the Windows XP recovery console to boot the system and then accessing the "%windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst" folder.
Once in the folder, engineers had to rename "spuninst.txt" to "spuninst.bat" and execute the batch command "batch spuninst.bat." When that process was completed, a rollback of the Service Pack file should have occurred. That didn't happen. So the batch file had to be executed a second time, and then access to Windows XP was restored--but with some caveats. Once back in the Windows operating system, Test Center engineers had to open the registry and set "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs\ObjectName" to "LocalSystem." Next, engineers executed the "windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe," which prompted additional rollback changes to the registry.
After that process finished, some interesting events occurred. The rollback process uninstalled every device that existed in the PC. Network cards, video cards and all system resources were uninstalled. The PC was able to recover all of the uninstalled items, except one, upon a reboot. The graphics card, the Matrox Millennium P650, couldn't be recovered. Engineers tried to reinstall the drivers but, oddly enough, the Matrox folder was erased from the system and unable to be recovered. The only way to correct the problem was to go to Matrox's Web site and download the drivers from the support page.
The rollback also removed SP1; absolutely no remnants of SP1 existed anywhere in the system. To verify that problem, CRN Test Center engineers went to the Windows update page, and SP1 existed as a critical update, which needed to be installed again.
Before applying Service Pack 2, make sure a full backup of the PC is implemented. Imaging software, such as Symantec Ghost or Acronis True Image Backup, probably offers the best defense against problems caused by ill-behaved patches.
Microsoft's objective with Windows XP SP2 is to make it easier for end users to configure and manage security resources via new functionality and stronger security settings. Microsoft hopes the new settings will translate into safer Web browsing and improved security infrastructure for both businesses and individuals.
The smoke around the campfire, though, is that SP2 will wreak havoc on many security and firewall software utilities, forcing a redesign of antivirus suites, e-mail clients and firewalls. Test Center engineers installed SP2 on systems with utilities including Panda Software, Trend Micro, Symantec and Avast antivirus software, and all worked seamlessly. Symantec recently claimed that folks who download SP2 will need a Norton patch to co-exist with SP2. Yet Test Center engineers found that not be the case.
The functionality that SP2 brings to the table may make many third-party security utilities--such as popup blockers and software firewalls--obsolete. That functionality may push many security ISVs to rethink their marketing strategies.
~~t wouldn't show followed links by changing their color.~~
It allows you to change the colors to your preference. It gives you about 50 colors to choose from. I use blue for link and burnt orange for read on Firefox.
Yes, I looked for that and despite the correct settings, it didn't work. I guess not everything can work correctly in a version that has yet to attain 1.0 status.
Try 'uninstalling' and then 'install' the newest version of Firefox. I think they have 9.3 out now. I just checked mine and it is working fine. I updated my version 2wks ago. good luck.
It's 0.9.3 and I dont think Firefox is so great that I'm going to reinstall it on the off chance it fixes the bugs in it. The way it brings you back to the top of a page when using the back button is also a major drawback.
DOS 5 was wonderful compared to DOS 4.0.
That is wierd, because mine does not bring me back to the top of the page when I use the back button. It takes me right back to where I was when I changed pages. I think you have gremlins. I hear they are hard to get rid of, but you can claim them as dependants on your taxes :-)
I probably got the gremlins from lurking at DU.
I have installed it on my dell with zero problems.
Not sure there 3 of 5 claim really makes sense, as we are testing it at my work and not a single machine has had a problem.
I have Windows XP on my computer which is a Dell Dimension 4500S.
Try Mozilla instead of Firefox. I've been using Mozilla for a few years now, and I swear by it. I can't stand firefox or IE. Firefox, as you'll note, isn't even 1.0 yet, which essentially means it's 'beta' quality right now. I have next to no problems at all with Mozilla. I use Multi-zilla to get enhanced tabbed browsing, and a few other plug-ins that make my day go smoother. The built-in mail client is a dream, esspecially the spam filter - which filters roughly 60 - 80 messages a day for me with less than 5% false negatives now. (It requires some time to 'train' it to be accurate) It's also available free at Mozilla.org.
Why Indeed Not Destroy Our Work Stations
I have done that and noticed that although I was told how much faster Linux is, it ran way slower than windows. This was using both Redhat and Mandrake vs. Win98se, Win2k, WinXPpro on the same machine...all of them installed with no other OS to clutter things up. I really wanted Linux to work as good as advertised, but was dissappointed by the results.
I will mention that I detest Internet Exploder and refuse to use it. I liked Netscape untill AOL screwed it up, so I use Mozilla (the basis for Netscape without the yucky AOL crapola).
You can get it here: Latest Mozilla version
bookmarking for later
BTW, my favorite feature of Mozilla is the very useful and customizable pop-up blocking. That was the main reason I tried it. I hate popup ads and now I never see them.
{{{sigh}}}
Thanks, that's a interesting site. Had I seen it before trying, I probably would've waited a month or two before trying SP2. But since my daughter was "going remote" on a college LAN, I thought it was worth the risk.
After being up almost all night, I finally got her machine working after a fashion but it seems to be some sort of update hybrid - a frankinmachine of sorts. Still not sure what exactly what's updated and what isn't.
Too much fun for one (36 hr) day - I'm going to take a nap...
Hm, lookie there: something we agree on. Love Avant Browser, and have won a number of converts.
Dan
I am thinking that since I am one of the poorest Freepers I will probably have the upgrade in a few years =o)
I thought MS wasn't putting the release version for home users out until August 25?
Microsoft unveiled its Version 5 Windows Update page this morning. Its much cleaner and faster loading than the old one. Good job!
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