XP SP2: patch or reinstall?

[Fat Tone]

WE've all got XP SP1 and loads of patches.

So, add SP2 or do a fresh install of the slipstreamed XP+SP2?

There's no 'wait a few days' option, cos I'm doing that whatever!

[ZokesPro]

I'm gonna patch, cause my current installation works great. (aside from my parallel cable scanner that's not detected and that Distributed Folding Screensaver that doesn't work)

[Brian R.]

If you have a choice, do a Ghost BU of the original configuration and then put in the patch. If you don't like, you can still go back.

[Wombat]

If you wait a couple of days, the client installer will be on Windows update, and it will only download the patches you need.

[Mikko]

And if you need to re-install your Windows later, you'll have to download it all over again...
That's why I'll download the whole package at once.

[ayoub_ibrahim]

I just installed sp2 by using the repair install option with a slipstreamed xp home cd.
all my programs & data remained intact with what is effect a fresh install. everything working ok so far!

[Elie]

Well I don't think Microsoft expects everyone to do a fresh install of XP and then SP2.

I patched and all is good so far.

[Chucky Cheese]

i'm going to do a fresh install...for no real reason, this installation is running great. i plan on slipstreaming with my original xp cd.

i'll plan on it in a couple of weeks, meanwhile i'll keep my ear to the ground for problems with the apps that i use

i do plan on doing one last round of backing up my personal files to my NAS...then reinstall all the apps.

cc

[DGhost]

SP2 has been working great with patches. I believe that when I did this last install of windows I installed a fresh copy of XP, then updated it to SP1a w/ patches, then installed one of the older SP2 updates onto it. from there i have gone back and forth between different SP2 builds and so far I have not had any problems with it...

[SpiralDragon]

Originally posted by Elie
Well I don't think Microsoft expects everyone to do a fresh install of XP and then SP2.

I patched and all is good so far.

ahm***slipstreem*** ahm

i'm going to renistall over the weekend... takes me time to do this caus of all the apps and reconfigs i use... but hay... its the best way to be sure u say

[Adis]

I maked slipstreamed/unattended installation with scripts for automated installation
of some additional updates (fonts, codecs, .NET Framework 1.1, Registry tweaks etc).

Fresh install - all works fine

[Maggi]

you forgot one option in that poll ...
[*] patch and uninstall again, due to compatibility issues



even Microsoft seems to have acknowledged that there might be some issues occuring after applying SP2 and released an "SP2 installation blocker"

http://www.chip.de/news/c_news_12189249.html?tid1=9226&tid2=0

how low can you go ???

[VJ]

Originally posted by Maggi
even Microsoft seems to have acknowledged that there might be some issues occuring after applying SP2 and released an "SP2 installation blocker"

I think the main reason for that is to allow you to postpone the update. Our sysadmin is thankfull that it exists, as it is unclear what happens in an unattended update (i.e. if it turns on the firewall by default, some things will not work). And if it would download automatically on a friday evening...
This way, he can perform the updates when he wants to (for instance, when he is present, so he can see how it goes...


Jörg

[Maggi]

... or so they say ...


Seriously, once more I'm completely fed up by Microshaft.

Not only did they delay this SP for quite some time, but on top of that, they seem to have failed to pass it on to 3rd party developers, otherwise there shouldn't be any of those issues occuring.

[Maggi]

maybe I should stress, that I wasn't getting at you Jörg, but only at MS ...