Service pack 2 install question...

[ThinkPad]

Im installing service pack 2 on my thinkpad. Automatic updates listed it as an update and I clicked download.

After that I have not seen anything yet linked to the download. No download progress update, or install processes and its been about 2 hours.

Shouldnt there be a download progress meter or some way to monitor it? Or is it just constantly running in the back ground.

I want to shut of the thinkpad, but dont know if I should if this download is running...

[ThinkPad]

And automatic updates are turned on with the 'let me choose when to install' option.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you're talking about XP SP2, you are downloading ca. 270MB.
Better look for someone with the CD-version which you can freely borrow, or order it on CD from M$ website.

[ThinkPad]

Yea its XP service pack 2. Is there anyway to cancel the download? I guess ill just leave it on all night and hope something develops in the morning.

[joester]

Yep. It's a 266MB download. For future reference, it can be disrupted mid way, and it will pick up where it left off when internet is again available.
I work on many different computers, and have it downloaded from Microsoft onto a thumbdrive.
You will have IE7 available after the SP2 install, and several security updates as well.
IE7 is a pretty good size download, but the Firefox copied Tabs are nice to have if you are an IE addict.
My advice is to download IE7 in advance and install in one shot. Just get it over with.

Joe

There is also a link to SP2 as a download from the linked page for anyone not yet up to SP2.

[jdhurst]

If you don't get SP2 by auto update, then go search for it (easy on the Microsoft download site), download the 270Mb file and apply it manually. I have the file, and I have *never* attempted auto update for SP2. The file is just *too* large for such a strategy.

Servers are a wee bit different in that they are running non-stop, so I have let the download section grab large updates and then install manually at my command. Even for servers, though, I did not let the last big service pack install on its own.
... JDH

[ThinkPad]

What if i dont want IE7, Im a firefox fan...

[joester]

Try HERE for the SP2 download.

I'm fan of Firefox too, but had to educate myself on IE7 since most of the people I know depend on Microsoft.

Joe

[ryengineer]

What if i dont want IE7, Im a firefox fan...

You can unistall it afterwards.

[ThinkPad]

I just tried to install sp2 twice after downloading and would result in an error right after the 'performing clean up' stage...

[RealBlackStuff]

SP2 is finicky to install.
Disconnect the PC/TP from the internet, and shut down your firewall and antivirus programs.
Find any other background program that may be running and that is not necessary.
Safest would be to go into Safe Mode (press F8 repeatedly at bootup) and install it from there.

[jdhurst]

While I do understand RBS's point of view, I have always done SP2 installs from the download (as I noted before) rather than through automatic update, and I can say this:

In 100 percent of the cases (few) where SP2 would not install properly, the computer in question needed a total re-install.

In a further few cases, if a good SP2 install did not fix problems existing prior, then in those cases a total re-install was required.

In the remaining cases (vast majority), SP2 installed from the download file without a hitch.
... JDH

[RealBlackStuff]

That's what I suggested as well, install from the download (OR the CD) in Safe Mode if Normal mode does not work.