Windows XP sp 2

[Mooney]

So wait... Should I turn off the Firewall, or just spend tons of time setting it to allow my programs access?

[Agozer]

If you have a firewall software in use already, don't use the Windows Firewall.

[kaioshade]

Never had much of a problem with service pack 2. id say go for it, but apply all sp1 patches. seems to make the transition smoother.

[Shibathedog]

Your router most likely has a firewall option, pretty much any hardware firewall is better than any software firewall

 

If your lucky enough to have a WRT54G/WRT54GS flash it with DD-WRT, the firewall is excellent, thats all i use unless you count peerguardian as a firewall (technically it is, but whatever)

[Mooney]

I'M DOIN IT! HERE I GOOOOOOO!

 

 

If you don't hear from me for a long time... you'll know why.

[Mooney]

CRAP! SUCK! Well that failed...

 

After I told Automatic Updates to install sp2, and after it was done installing, it restarted my pc. At this point, I thought all was well. But then, instead of bootig normally, a screen pops up and tells me Windows failed to boot. I choose "Start Windows normally," but that does nothing; it just goes back to the same screen. When I started in safe mode, it gave me the option to use System Restore. I took that offer, since I had created a System Restore Point right before I installed sp2. The Restore worked, so I am now sitting happily at my sp1 computer, and I don't plan to try again until I absolutely must.

So my final advice: If you are going to try to install sp2, either back up your hard drive or use System Restore. It could save your pc.

[Agozer]

CRAP! SUCK! Well that failed...  

 

After I told Automatic Updates to install sp2, and after it was done installing, it restarted my pc. At this point, I thought all was well. But then, instead of bootig normally, a screen pops up and tells me Windows failed to boot.    I choose "Start Windows normally," but that does nothing; it just goes back to the same screen. When I started in safe mode, it gave me the option to use System Restore. I took that offer, since I had created a System Restore Point right before I installed sp2. The Restore worked, so I am now sitting happily at my sp1 computer, and I don't plan to try again until I absolutely must.

So my final advice: If you are going to try to install sp2, either back up your hard drive or use System Restore. It could save your pc.

This is exactly what I was afraid of.

[Wizard]

CRAP! SUCK! Well that failed...  

 

After I told Automatic Updates to install sp2, and after it was done installing, it restarted my pc. At this point, I thought all was well. But then, instead of bootig normally, a screen pops up and tells me Windows failed to boot.    I choose "Start Windows normally," but that does nothing; it just goes back to the same screen. When I started in safe mode, it gave me the option to use System Restore. I took that offer, since I had created a System Restore Point right before I installed sp2. The Restore worked, so I am now sitting happily at my sp1 computer, and I don't plan to try again until I absolutely must.

So my final advice: If you are going to try to install sp2, either back up your hard drive or use System Restore. It could save your pc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or don't be an idiot.

 

I installed SP2 just after I reformatted, thus saving me the time and many technical errors.

[Mooney]

... but to do that I'd have to reformat. I happen to like my files, and plan on keeping them.

[Shibathedog]

second HDD for files

 

although i tried that for awhile and my second HDD has now since turned into just a Bittorent Cache

[Wizard]

... but to do that I'd have to reformat. I happen to like my files, and plan on keeping them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's the age of partitions, start adapting.

[GodPigeon]

Or just Backup all ur files to DVDs. Thats what i do when i reformat. I bought my computer recently and it came with SP2 and ive never evr had a problem with it. Besides the annoying security center, its all good...for me at least. hehe

[Lucandrake]

Well, the same thing happens to me when I install sp2.., except I don't get a error message sp2 just stops loading on the boot up screen..... I tryed updateing about 10 times and 8 of those times I just cleaned out my hd.....

[James]

CRAP! SUCK! Well that failed...  

 

After I told Automatic Updates to install sp2, and after it was done installing, it restarted my pc. At this point, I thought all was well. But then, instead of bootig normally, a screen pops up and tells me Windows failed to boot.    I choose "Start Windows normally," but that does nothing; it just goes back to the same screen. When I started in safe mode, it gave me the option to use System Restore. I took that offer, since I had created a System Restore Point right before I installed sp2. The Restore worked, so I am now sitting happily at my sp1 computer, and I don't plan to try again until I absolutely must.

So my final advice: If you are going to try to install sp2, either back up your hard drive or use System Restore. It could save your pc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Never heard of that problem . All my PC's have XP SP2 and all work fine .

Seems like you have other issues which is causeing conflicts with SP2 ( Other software that is installed )

 

Maybe you could make a copy of your XP disc and then slipstrean SP2 onto that copy and try to do a repair install .