Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Computer geeks - another series of questions.

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 05:52 PM
Original message
Computer geeks - another series of questions.
Before I ask the questions, I am going to post all the snark that I expect from the mac and linux crowd.

1. Get a Mac.
2. Switch to Linux.
3. Why are you such a troglodyte?

Okay, now that THAT is out of the way...

I am running Windows XP Home SP2 on my laptop. Should I do the SP3 upgrade? Will it mess with my drivers, etc.? Microsoft recommends a full backup before the upgrade, could I lose everything in the upgrade?

I am so confused.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 05:54 PM
Response to Original message
1. I haven't had any problems...
I think it just says to make the backup because it is a large download and installation.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 05:55 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. ah
covering their asses I guess.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:00 PM
Response to Original message
3. YMMV
If SP2 works, stick with it. Some people have reported SP3 problems but others have not.

It does fiddle with some security stuff, so you may find a broken program or two.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:06 PM
Response to Reply #3
6. Thank you.
Seriously, that was the answer I was looking for. I am downloading the actual file (not using the Windows Updater utility) in case I want to do this service pack later.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. Have you made a system restore checkpoint or have a full backup?
I would recommend Acronis TrueImage as a good, inexpensive, backup utility as well. It saved my bacon once... also good for transferring a whole OS from an old hard drive to a new one without needing to reinstall...

Sorry you're getting a few responses you specifically not asked for from the outset. :( :hug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:18 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. Oh, I knew those responses were out there.
That is why I did the preemptive strike! :P

:silly:

I will do a restore point and a full backup before I attempt the upgrade. I appreciate your input.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Pierre.Suave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:03 PM
Response to Original message
4. GET A MAC!!!!!
WTF are you some kind of troglodyte?

:P
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:19 PM
Response to Reply #4
12. You poopyhead!
:P

:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Pierre.Suave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:47 PM
Response to Reply #12
19. So youre 6 now?
:rofl:

Youre welcome!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:55 PM
Response to Reply #19
21. what are you? Eleven?
:rofl:

:hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Pierre.Suave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:56 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. ELEVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Systematic Chaos Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:05 PM
Response to Original message
5. I have an iMac (and yeah, you SHOULD get one)
:evilgrin:

But, I also have Boot Camp on this computer and I purchased an OEM copy of XP Pro SP2 to use with it.

They had the new ones with SP3 already on them for $10 more, and I wasn't going to waste the money when you can just download it.

Well, I did and my world turned into an instant nightmare. ALL other Windows Updates stopped working properly after that, and research on the net showed me I was far from alone and it was NOT just a funky Mac thing.

So, I uninstalled it and that was that. Why even bother when there's no serious difference with or without it?

:shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mwooldri Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:08 PM
Response to Original message
7. Did the upgrade, no problems here...
In fact the computer was nagging me to do the upgrade.

I did a google and this was the most informative link I found:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

Summary: if your computer is a HP with an AMD processor, you have a wireless network card - older one - that doesn't support 802.11g or 802.11n but supports 802.11b and is made by certain manufacturers - or you run Symantec (Norton) anti-malware software you need to take additional action before installing SP3.

Mark.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
PeaceNikki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:08 PM
Response to Original message
8. I had huge problems with SP3 as did a co-worker
The chance of "losing everything" is very very slim, but it could cause a LOT of headaches. I had to boot in safe mode and uninstall.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
hobbit709 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:14 PM
Response to Original message
10. If it ain't broke, why fix it?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:20 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. True
but I kind of wonder if there were some security fixes in the service pack that I should not be without.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
hobbit709 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #13
18. 99% of their security fixes are for Internet Exploder and Lookout
If you don't use either of those-and I don't-you've already eliminated a lot of potential problems.I try to avoid the use of any MS applications-I've found that other peoples apps work better, faster and are less of a resource hog.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:20 PM
Response to Reply #10
14. KW - heed hobbit's advice. It's sage.
Now I love to install any fixes and upgrades put out.

Being an early adopter, that can cause troubles too.

Vista SP1 caused troubles for me when it was an optional install... reinstalling the OS, I waited until it was a mandatory install some 3 months later. It worked fine on both my desktop and laptop.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
PBS Poll-435 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:23 PM
Response to Original message
15. What brand is your laptop and does it have an AMD processor or an Intel one?
The SP3 update can cause an endless reboot cycle because Compaq/HP laptops equiped with an AMD processor were pre-loaded with a generic processor-throttling driver that was designed to work with both AMD and Intel CPUs. SP3 replaces this driver with an updated one that can cause problems...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:27 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. Sony Vaio with an Intel processor.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
PBS Poll-435 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:31 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Cool
Go for it.

I noticed a slight increase in performance after installing the update on my work computer.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Taverner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:49 PM
Response to Original message
20. You should back up your most important data at all times
But SP3 is usually when MS gets it right ;)

MS user here...LOL
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kutjara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 06:55 PM
Response to Original message
22. There were some bugs in the first release of SP3...
...that caused some folks no end of problems (and got SP3 pulled from Windows Update for a week or so), but I understand the issues have been resolved now, so you should be fine.

As with all activities that change a significant number of system files, it is imperative you backup your important data, and have your original software disks and registration codes available, just in case. This isn't specific to SP3, merely good practice in general.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
PeaceNikki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-11-08 07:01 PM
Response to Reply #22
24. I had issues and I reported them to MS. I called their support line and was treated wonderfully.
They followed up with phone calls back to me and emails.

MS is huge, but their people are fantastic. All software and O/S's have bugs.... every damn last one. Some are bigger than others and the real test is how they support you and resolve. I know it's all the rage to hate MS, but I've attended conventions and met a lot of their employees. Every last interaction was superb.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue May 07th 2024, 06:35 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC