Install Windows XP SP2 or not?

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mbarbet · #1 Post by **mbarbet** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:32 am

Does any one know where I can find information about SP2 that might apply to my ThinkPad T42 2379 DXU or manufacturer-specific support information for SP2? I've search IBM's support & download web site and couldn't find any information. Do I not look hard enough? Does IBM recommend or not recommend users download and install SP2 now?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

akeskira · #2 Post by **akeskira** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:38 am

mbarbet wrote:Does any one know where I can find information about SP2 that might apply to my ThinkPad T42 2379 DXU or manufacturer-specific support information for SP2? I've search IBM's support & download web site and couldn't find any information. Do I not look hard enough? Does IBM recommend or not recommend users download and install SP2 now?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Many people here have installed SP2 without problems. Definitely go for it! The big "to install or not to install" controversy is mainly a headache of CIOs responsible for hundreds or thousands of machines potentially running specialized/customized/in house apps. If you're running off the shelf XP with Office, you won't face any issues.

The latest PC Magazine has a cover article titled "XP Service Pack 2: Why You Must Upgrade Now!"

Antti

gtratter · #3 Post by **gtratter** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:40 am

Look for a thread called 'Installed SP2..' - it also has a good download link to the SP2 file which you can save to CD and have it handy if you ever need to reinstall...

nenarek · #4 Post by **nenarek** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:45 am

I have installed SP2 on my T42 (2378 FVU) and I haven't had any major problems.

IBM has put a hold on SP2 installation for internal corporate use but that is apparently just because SP2 breaks some applications that they use within IBM.

The only issue that I have encountered so far is that SP2 modifies Windows Messenger 4.7 so it is linked to your Outlook email instead of your Hotmail account. To restore the Hotmail functionality I had to install MSN Messenger. I have been avoiding MSN messenger because of its cluttered interface but I guess that I can live with it.

I guess in general I would say that it is probably safe to install on a T42 but like usual with Windows service packs it would probably be safer to wait a month or two to let other people find the problems. (I installed it because I am testing it for use at work.)

pete0r · #5 Post by **pete0r** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:01 pm

installed on mine, i like the new wifi manager a lot better actually...

kiig · #6 Post by **kiig** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:54 pm

Mine is running sp2 aswell, - with no problems, - all my developement tools are working (Oracle forms, - .Net and so on ), - so my machine has no problem, - but just throw a suggestion as to what might be the big problem with SP2, - then our Intranet supplier has announced that due to the more strict security options with SP2, - they can not garantee their system to work.

we have tried it though, - and had to change very few things in the security settings of our test-machines, - but not all customers are willing to do this, - so they must 'warn' everyone, - as they did.

Also, - have read a number of times that "your programs will stop working when you install SP2 and apply the firewall", - yeah, - my CuteFtp made it go "Do you want to allow this ....." og I clicked "Yes", - and then that was over

For me, - as an IT professional, - I see no problems in it, - it's espected behavior, - but for the 'masses', - that's probably not any of us here at this board, - this might be a problem they can't solve on their own.

So, - In my oppinion, - IBM and others are doing this to be 'safe', - and the media is riding the hype.... It's all blown out of proportions (from my point of view), - but as I stated, - a lot of people WILL feel that their system suddenly stops working.

just my 2 cents....

I've been running Sp2 for 6-8 months (beta's) just to 'test' it, - better safe than sorry

, - but there has been no problems with any of our standard or own-developed programs in that period of time, - so my suggestion : go ahead, - put in on

Kim Igel.

yukit · #7 Post by **yukit** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 6:32 pm

This is not Thinkpad specific, but there is a problem with the SP2 if you are using RSA SecurID Neoteris (formerly Netscreen, now Juniper) client.

Apparently, Microsoft broke this between RC2 & RTM of the SP2.

Luckily, I did the SP2 upgrade on my desktop before my Thinkpad so I still can connect to work from my laptop.

yuki

#8 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 6:57 pm

Interesting about Netscreen. I am using the standard Netscreen Client (8.3) on an Netscreen 5GT unit at a client site (from the days before Juniper acquired Netscreen). It works just fine with Service Pack 2. I don't use SecurID (I used Preshared key) and that may be the difference. ... JD Hurst

Install Windows XP SP2 or not?

Install Windows XP SP2 or not?

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