service pack 2 problems?

hey all

my brother-in-law was wondering something
he has downloaded sp2 before and as soon as he did his comp went all crazy and he had to format now he has been asked to update and install sp2 again and he is wondering if he should or will it mess up his pc again if any of you could help that would be greatly apreciated thanks alot

Hu Ha!

 

If he is good with security and doesn't use Internet Explorer, then it's not vital.

Also, SP2 adds full support for Bluetooth, and improved wireless support.

If you don't install it now, you can rest assured that Microsoft will deem it a pre-requisite to any other further updates.

Anyway, have a read of this recent STICKY.

 

Well - if he totally formatted and has a clean computer - then he may not have to do everything in this link. A member here, Wisewiz, gave me this info. and I've followed it step-by-step and installed SP2 and 5 computers so far and have had perfect success.

http://editorsdesktop.com/SP2inst.html

It's basically the Microsoft advice that you can find anywhere with additional precautions and some more common sense advice thrown in too.

Maybe it will help in this situation too.

 

hey thanks alot all you are all great help and i have to speak this over with my bro and i'll show him the links you have left here thanks again

Hu Ha!

 

That's subjective at best. It is HIGHLY recommended that you install SP2. It includes many security features at the OS level, bug fixes and enhancements to functionality of IE , WFW, and WZC. Not vital ? who are you trying to fool?

 

That's why I said If you don't use Internet Explorer, and yes, you are correct, it's very subjective.

I never said not to install SP2, and I installed it from day 1, but it's not vital.

You can run XP without it, it still runs, albeit with less security and functionality, so it's not vital, is it?

I would recommend SP2 to be installed, but it's also an app-breaker of an update.

It's quite possible to live without SP2 if you take responsibility for security, get rid of Internet Explorer, don't use Bluetooth, and don't partake in risky behaviour etc. and have applications or custom-made software that won't run with it or with the Application Compatibility Toolkit.

To the vast majority, it's a no-brainer as far as installing SP2 and it's highly recommended, but there are exceptions to every rule.