Installing XP Pro SP2

[Chubasco]

My biggest reason for wanting to install SP2 is in hope of stabilizing my wireless network connection. I use Wireless Zero Configuration (no alternative for my NIC) and my connection keeps dropping every 10-20 minutes with my new wireless router. I've already tried changing the Broadcast channel multiple times to avoid conflicts with other signals, but it hasn't helped.

Is there anything I should know or do before installing SP2? I'll be doing so using windows update.

My info:
- Sager NP5680 Notebook, 2.6Ghz Intel with HT
- Windows XP Pro SP1
- Office Pro 2002
- Wireless network using Linksys WRT54G
- Wireless Zero Config
- ZoneAlarm Firewall
- Used mostly for gaming and surfing

 

[Psych]

I do not think installing SP2 will be a bad thing, as long as it does not aversely affect your applications. I have heard that the Wireless Zero support for SP2 is stable and good, so you should definitely try it out.

Turn off Windows Firewall after install and stick with ZoneAlarm, though.

If you have modified the settings of your computer extensively, be sure that you have not changed anything that the installation depends on. Spyware, viruses, and corrupted files could cause a massive loss of functionality, or a no-boot scenario at worst. Make sure everything is clean before attempting the install.

Since you do not have DEP on your notebook, I do not think there will be any NX boot problems.

 

[Chubasco]

Thanks Psych,

I have tweaked the following services in Windows.
- ATI HotKey Poller (to disabled)
- Error Reporting Service (to disabled)
- Help and Support (to manual)
- jsdaemon (to manual)
- messenger (to disabled)
- Remote Registry (to disabled)
- Secondary Logon

Should I turn any of them back on?

Also, I don't know what DEP or NX boot are. I do use NetScreen Remote VPN, if that matters.

Thanks in advance again.

 

[Chubasco]

bump

 

[Zero Plasma]

bump

 

[spyordie007]

I have tweaked the following services in Windows.
- ATI HotKey Poller (to disabled)
- Error Reporting Service (to disabled)
- Help and Support (to manual)
- jsdaemon (to manual)
- messenger (to disabled)
- Remote Registry (to disabled)
- Secondary Logon

AFAIK the SP install should work fine with these services disabled.

Also, I don't know what DEP or NX boot are.

I'm not sure what DEP is either, but NX is execution protection; basically ensuring the CPU will only execute the pieces of code it's supposed to to help protect against things like buffer overflow exploits. You have to have hardware that supports this (which your laptop processor does not). So in your case NX doesnt make a differance.

I do use NetScreen Remote VPN, if that matters.

I havent heard specifically of any problems with it; but you might want to do a few web searches and/or visit the vendor's website to see if they have any information posted about it. Odds are you'll be fine, but you're generally safe than sorry.

EDIT: I found this comment on a article from a user who suggests that it works fine:
http://www.betanews.com/article/1094692560

I have tested XP2 with the core of my apps and client apps including NetScreen Remote and Citrix MetaFrame XP 3 SSL VPN's with RSA SecureID's and McAfee Entercept (v5) HIPS and hanven't had any problems whatsoever...

-Erik

 

[Chubasco]

tyvm for the info and advice.

 

[dawks]

Just another point, my brother-in-laws wireless kept disconnecting every 4-5 minutes I believe, and all we had to do was un-check a box in the wireless config panel, and all was well. (dont remember which one though)..

Anyway, hes connection still dropped randomly at times, even after installing XP SP2.. but I was just there recently and did a full fresh install of XP SP2 Integrated/Slipstreamed.. (SP2 was installed as part of the OS), and his wireless connection is much more stable now. Weird.

 

[Chubasco]

Doh! Dawks, which button did you uncheck?