Topic: WinXP Service Pack 2

[Captain Adam]

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[Sirgod]

That is very Odd. Can you right Click on the Tray Icon, and end It that way?

If not, If you can find the name of It, you can do the Start----Run-----MSCONFIG thing and just remove It from Startup.

Stephen

[RogueJedi_XC]

Adam, what you need to do is disable the automatic updates feature.
To do that, right click "My Computer" (either on the desktop or start menu).
Click "Automatic Updates".
Remove the check where it says "Keep my computer up to date..blahblahblah".
Click "OK".

This is very inadvisable, but it will stop you system from repeatedly prompting you to install SP2.
The best way, of course would be to backup any data you want to keep, format your hard drive, and install Windows XP from scratch. Upgrades are fraught with problems and starting clean is always advisable.

I suggest this because if you have Windows XP you MUST get SP2. It has many security updates and fixes for XP and IE. Plus, future updates will require SP2 be installed before they will install. 

Burying your head in the sand just leaves your ass exposed...

[Sirgod]

See Roogue, I had nothing But Problems using SP2 , Fortuanatly, A good firewall , anti virus, and spyware protection works for me.

With SP2 i was having all kinds of problems getting Games to run even in SP .

Stephen

[Wolfsglen]

Upgrading the dos based Windows ME to nt based XP is the biggest reason for faults and problems that there is...MS should be shot for even offering an "upgrade" like that, its like trying to fit a nuclear reactor to a sailing ship. Try a proper format and clean install of XP plus make sure you are using decent hardware with up to date drivers and 95% of the problems will go away right then.

SP2 broke nothing for me so far and i have about 60 gig of old and new software i need to use installed, slipstream it into your XP cd and burn a new disk from it and you wont even have to upgrade the SP every time you install either 

[RogueJedi_XC]

A lot of the things that were "broken" by SP2 were poorly written drivers and programs that relied on undocumented API's and bugs in Windows in order to work properly. In other words, they were already broken, SP2 just displayed how broke they were.

If you are having problems with SP2 it is not because of SP2 -- you already have problems (corruption, spyware, the aforementioned poorly written software...). It's nothing a good format and re-install from scratch won't fix. That means do not install ME back first (see above about "poorly written software"  ), just put the ME or Win98 disk in when XP setup asks for it.

If you don't have SP2 then you are aiding and abetting the enemy...

[Sirgod]

A lot of the things that were "broken" by SP2 were poorly written drivers and programs that relied on undocumented API's and bugs in Windows in order to work properly. In other words, they were already broken, SP2 just displayed how broke they were.

If you are having problems with SP2 it is not because of SP2 -- you already have problems (corruption, spyware, the aforementioned poorly written software...). It's nothing a good format and re-install from scratch won't fix. That means do not install ME back first (see above about "poorly written software"  ), just put the ME or Win98 disk in when XP setup asks for it.

If you don't have SP2 then you are aiding and abetting the enemy...

I'll give SP2 another try tomorrow then, as I have everything updated to the fullest. But one little Problem from It, and off It comes.

BTW adam did a full install, as It's on a Brand new HD. Heck pretty much a brand new system.

Stephen

[Rod ONeal]

Don't accept the automatic update. Go directly to Micro$oft and install this instead-> http://go.microsoft.com/?LinkID=806688 It's 266megs, but it's worth it, IMO. Everyone that I've heard complain about SP2 has upgraded with the automatic update. I've heard zero complaints/problems from anyone who has upgraded with this download.

It's intended for people who have multiple computers to install SP2 on. It gives you SP2 as it's own executable. It also will upgrade XP home to XP pro. It won't change the splash screen from saying XP home, but it will functionally be XP pro. XP pro runs sooo much better than home. XP home is just XP pro with some stuff that M$ thought that you didn't need removed. Pro is the complete OS.

I hope this helps.

PS Adam I wasn't at home earlier. Sorry bro. Get in touch. OK?

[Dash Jones]

SP2 works pretty well on all the computers I run it on, having problems only with SSI games, DoS games, and Rogue Squadron.  However, I had problems with them on WinXP.  WinXP is the problem overall.  Oh how I wish they had continued the Win9x line that included an actual working DOS instead of this sham that doesn't run most of the DOS games I have (Like Master of Orion).

[Lieutenant_Q]

And that, my friend, is the number one reason I am still running 98 SE.  Too many good DOS games to give up by going any higher up the OS tree.  My only complaint with 98 SE, is that I have to reboot my computer every time I'm done playing a game like Civilization III, cause 98 has a bad Memory leak in it.

[Wolfsglen]

Dosbox program etc runs dos games on a NT based system better than Win98/95 did half the time for me

Continuing the dos based line of Windows would have been one of the biggest mistakes and fubars that could have happened, NT based OS's can be rock solid reliable and peform far better than any 98 system could dream of, for far too many reasons to list here. Even with its lousy driver/multimedia support, Windows NT 4.0 uses to work better for me than 98...and Win2000/NT 5.0 was the straw that broke the camels back as far as lousy WinME was concerned...which is why it evolved into XP/NT 5.1.
 
NTVDM or something like dosbox has run games and software for me on NT/XP better than Win98 did on 98% of them...and no need for bloody annoying high-memory etc configs, soundblaster DMA fiddling and reboots every few hours 

[Sirgod]

I have to Agree DOSBOX is a great little Program to have.

stephen

[Dash Jones]

I tried DosBox, but when I started it up it asked for the source on Z drive, and I couldn't figure how to get it to switch.  I tried switching it to look for items via another drive like one would in DOS but it didn't take.

I also wasn't certain of which items to put in as to simulate the uses (soundcard, vidcard, etc.).

So I couldn't get anything to work in DOSBOX (I was trying to get my aunt's King's Quest Collection to work but no such luck).

[Sirgod]

I tried DosBox, but when I started it up it asked for the source on Z drive, and I couldn't figure how to get it to switch.  I tried switching it to look for items via another drive like one would in DOS but it didn't take.

I also wasn't certain of which items to put in as to simulate the uses (soundcard, vidcard, etc.).

So I couldn't get anything to work in DOSBOX (I was trying to get my aunt's King's Quest Collection to work but no such luck).

Oh man, Kings Quest Brings back Memories.

Stephen

[futurama_guy]

My MilkShape quit working once I updated SP2 on my WinXPHome...I can use it up to the point where I want to import a ship, but as soon as I try to import a SFC mod to it it just shuts down with no error or crash message whatsoever, it just quits as if it was never running.   

[CaptJosh]

I can tell you all exactly what the biggest problem with SP2 is. Simply, MS has it set to automatically turn on the Windows XP internal firewall. If you are already running another firewall, like ZoneAlarm Pro, McAfee firewall, Norton Internet Security, et al, this is a recipie for disaster. One software firewall is hard enough to configure. Getting two to run together without issues is virtually impossible. The simplest solution is to go into the properties for your internet connection and turn off the XP firewall. This resolves most issues, as most issues w/SP2 are internet related. Other issues I don't know about.