Windows XP Service Pack 2 question

[Gutter]

Forgive my computer illiteracy on this one...

Support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 ends on Oct. 10 and I haven't installed Service Pack 2 yet (due to all the problems people were having with it).

Is it OK to go-ahead and install that worry-free now? Or should I back-up my hard drive just in case?

 

[Bear]

I, too, would like to know the answer to this question.

 

[slappy4428]

Umm, yeah. I think, especially since Vista is coming out, that the bugs have more or less been worked out.
After you install SP2, be sure to run Windows Update and fix the fixes...

 

[markvid]

Do it, you'll be better off for it.

 

[Perry White]

I'd say get it. I've had it for months with no problems.

 

[OTD]

Yes, install SP2. I've had no problems either at work or at home with it.

 

[Gutter]

Thanks all. Just something I've put off doing, especially when the bugs were being worked out. Never got around to putting it in ...

 

[EStreetJoe]

I'm about to start the process of backing up everything important on my hard drive and then making an appointment to have someone come over and upgrade me to SP2. I'm pretty computer literate, but I've heard horror stories about problems upgrading to SP2 - so I'm leaning toward getting a computer pro over to install it for me off the disc I ordered.
So... how many programs and files are lost during the upgrade to SP2?

 

[OTD]

I'm about to start the process of backing up everything important on my hard drive and then making an appointment to have someone come over and upgrade me to SP2. I'm pretty computer literate, but I've heard horror stories about problems upgrading to SP2 - so I'm leaning toward getting a computer pro over to install it for me off the disc I ordered.
So... how many programs and files are lost during the upgrade to SP2?

Good Lord, you shouldn't lose any.

 

[Perry White]

I had zero problems, I believe.

 

[slappy4428]

An appointment?
If your worried, save your files on disc, run the program, then run WIndows Update. Unless your computer or programs are corrupt, there should be no problem./

 

[Stretch15]

Umm, yeah. I think, especially since Vista is coming out, that the bugs have more or less been worked out.
After you install SP2, be sure to run Windows Update and fix the fixes...

That's a good one Slappy - "that the bugs have more or less been worked out."

To steal from Allen Iverson - "We're talking about Microsoft man..."

Whenever you are applying a patch or SP from Microsoft, always, always, always back up your system first.

In a previous life I worked for a software company that built data protection software on the Windows platform. One of our mandates to customers was to always back up their systems before applying any fix from Microsoft. I've seen too many cases where SPs or patches have hosed somebody's system.

 

[slappy4428]

That's why I said to run Windows Update -- to fix the fixes...

 

[Angola!]

How hard is it to backup your system? And how do you do it?

 

[ARD]

Updated my five PCs to SP2 within two weeks after it came out. Zero problems. I encounter many, many more problems caused by anti-virus and similar "protection" software than from Windows itself. I use Acronis to back up daily to an external HD anyway, but I don't worry about Windows Update. I'd rather have the latest security patches than fret about it.

 

[OTD]

How hard is it to backup your system? And how do you do it?

It should be under System Tools in the Accessories part of your program menu. You will need to do this on CDs or DVDs depending on how much stuff you have.

 

[slappy4428]

How hard is it to backup your system? And how do you do it?

It should be under System Tools in the Accessories part of your program menu. You will need to do this on CDs or DVDs depending on how much stuff you have.

Not under mine... just be sure before you start to create a restore point. If things go wrong, you can (in theory) get a do over...

 

[Rosie]

XP Pro has the backup option, XP Home does not.

Preacher Rosie here.....BACK UP YOUR FILES, BACK UP YOUR FILES, BACK UP YOUR FILES!!!!!

I don't care if you are Mac or PC, BACK UP YOUR FILES!

I have my laptop networked to my desktop computer, so I back up files from my laptop to my desktop as my laptop is primarily my work computer. Works slick.

Another way to back up your files is to use the Transfer Files option in XP. Save it to CD. That option also takes less CD space.

As far as SP2, install it. No problem. If you have any specific questions, PM me.

 

[slappy4428]

Hey, thanks for your prompt help...

 

[markvid]

PROMPT! GET IT?