Page 1 of Warning re XP service pack 1

Our office machine is a fairly decent Dell 45 Dimension running Windows XP Professional etc.. and we allowed it to happily update itself for a while. Then we were advised that we should download the service pack. Even using our broadband connection this was a fairly longish process including the software installation but is was achieved. The problem was that Windows would not start at all! I could only get it to go with a safe mode but I was at least able to access restore system and go back in time to undo. Phew!

Some time later, having failed to learn my lesson, I tried it again and this time could not rescue myself with system restore. I had to reload the XP from CD which was a major hassle. I have now only downloaded the critical updates and ignored the security updates. This sems to be safe enough for us as we are not connected to another machine and do not use an addressbook for emailing, thereby thwarting evil viruses for the most part.

I am sure that this must have been discussed elsewhere and I have seen other reports of this type in other forums but do find myself non-plussed!

Dare I ever venture a subtantial download from Microsoft again?

So, it`s an Office machine - maybe with important/sensitive company data on and you`re ignoring the security updates? Do you run AV softare and a firewall?
I think, if you run Internet Explorer (especially after the viruses of the last week or so), you definitely should get the security updates.

Ste

I`ve install XP SP1 loads of times and never had a problem. Just installed it on a Dell Dimension 4550 this morning in fact.

I appreciate this doesn`t help you a lot. What I would suggest is always back up valuable data before applying any major update.

Thanks for the comments.

Actually we do run a firewall and backup regularly etc.. and I always used to run the security updates before the debacle with the service pack. We also have Norton Antivirus which updates itself regularly and I am always careful not to open emails unless I am sure so we get along OK.

That being said it annoys the hell out of me that I can`t download the service pack and can`t get help without paying for it which my boss won`t do. He also has forbbiden me from trying the service pack again and he has a point if it causes more damage that it is supposed to fix.

Can`t you just get a CD copy of the service pack? MS UK were sending them out free not so long ago. One thing I would recommend is getting a subscription to technet (although it`s not cheap, its not hugely expensive) - you get copies of all service packs on CD or DVD which is useful.

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. <--- Except this bit, its mine.

This item was edited on Friday, 22nd August 2003, 09:32