Isn't Microsoft's Service Pack thing kind of stupid?

[archcommus]

I just downloaded and installed 12 critical updates for my computer and it made me remember, in the event of a reinstall in the future, I must first obtain SP2, and then get EVERY update since SP2. It's a stupid and time-consuming process.

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to just have ONE Service Pack, called, say, "the XP service pack," and just continually update it with the latest patches and features? That way, you can get whatever updates whenever you need them as always, but in the case of a reinstall, all you have to do is a grab the latest copy of "the service pack" and you're good to go and 100% up-to-date without any further downloads.

Any downfalls to this idea?

 

[MrChad]

Service Packs require an enormous amount of testing on Microsoft's part, more so than simple hotfixes. It's an expensive proposition.

At some point, I believe Microsoft plans on rolling up post-SP2 hotfixes and releasing SP3, but that won't come until after Vista's release.

 

[MrChad]

Also, you can slipstream hotfixes onto an XP setup CD so that reinstalls are less painful. All you need to do is keep your XP CD image up-to-date as new hotfixes are released.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Also, you can slipstream hotfixes onto an XP setup CD so that reinstalls are less painful. All you need to do is keep your XP CD image up-to-date as new hotfixes are released.

I knew you could do that with service packs but I wasn't aware it could be done with all hotfixes. I guess a CD-RW would be good for that.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: MrChad
Also, you can slipstream hotfixes onto an XP setup CD so that reinstalls are less painful. All you need to do is keep your XP CD image up-to-date as new hotfixes are released.

I knew you could do that with service packs but I wasn't aware it could be done with all hotfixes. I guess a CD-RW would be good for that.

Yup. Check http://unattended.msfn.org.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: MrChad
Also, you can slipstream hotfixes onto an XP setup CD so that reinstalls are less painful. All you need to do is keep your XP CD image up-to-date as new hotfixes are released.

I knew you could do that with service packs but I wasn't aware it could be done with all hotfixes. I guess a CD-RW would be good for that.

Yup. Check http://unattended.msfn.org.

Vey nice. I also like: http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: archcommus
I just downloaded and installed 12 critical updates for my computer and it made me remember, in the event of a reinstall in the future, I must first obtain SP2, and then get EVERY update since SP2. It's a stupid and time-consuming process.

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to just have ONE Service Pack, called, say, "the XP service pack," and just continually update it with the latest patches and features? That way, you can get whatever updates whenever you need them as always, but in the case of a reinstall, all you have to do is a grab the latest copy of "the service pack" and you're good to go and 100% up-to-date without any further downloads.

Any downfalls to this idea?

you could also download autopatcher. The people who maintain autopatcher do monthly updates.

 

[tuteja1986]

I have a unattended windows xp pro install with office 2000 , all the driver , all my 3rd party software , scripts and more

Nlite is for noobs and lazy people ;(

I do it manually and it took me 4hrs+ to create few version before i made the supper awesome edition to my liking.

 

[QED]

Microsoft Service Packs contain more than just simple bux fixes-- they often introduce new libraries, tools, and features.

It would be quite difficult for some software and hardware driver designers to quantify exactly what version or edition of XP their software was designed against without being able to specify specific Service Pack levels.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: QED

Microsoft Service Packs contain more than just simple bux fixes-- they often introduce new libraries, tools, and features.

It would be quite difficult for some software and hardware driver designers to quantify exactly what version or edition of XP their software was designed against without being able to specify specific Service Pack levels.

Well couldn't it have the "core" of SP2 and just all the updates since SP2 tacked on to the same install process?

 

[bendixG15]

Originally posted by: QED

Microsoft Service Packs contain more than just simple bux fixes-- they often introduce new libraries, tools, and features.

Yea, right

 

[nova2]

here are 8 pages listing many winxp sp2 changes.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2conap.mspx

 

[Auric]

I have always integrated the latest service pack on a CD but have not bothered with subsequent hotfixes as that would be a time consuming proposition to keep up with -rather, as sonoma1993 suggests, Autopatcher is more convenient.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Service Packs require an enormous amount of testing on Microsoft's part, more so than simple hotfixes. It's an expensive proposition.

At some point, I believe Microsoft plans on rolling up post-SP2 hotfixes and releasing SP3, but that won't come until after Vista's release.

I don't think they're going to even start work on it until after Vista releases. But IIRC there isn't going to be much in the way of new features as in SP2. Mainly just a cumulative security service pack.

 

[archcommus]

So how does this Autopatcher work exactly?

 

[Auric]

Autopatcher is a collection of all hotfixes since the last SP with a convenient descriptive menu allowing you to easily choose which to install (there are also a few optional add-ons and tweaks included). It is updated monthly so you generally download one primary package then a smaller update for each of the next few months or so until a new primary package is made available. It is far more convenient than Windows Update for those who eschew automatic updates. Of course it does not provide third-party drivers but those should generally be avoided from WU anyway and instead sourced from the manufacturer of a given device.

 

[XZeroII]

I really don't understand the problem. I just reinstalled and just ran windows update and had it update a bunch of stuff. I ran it again and it patched a few more and I was done. Took less than 5 minutes of my time (excluding the download and install time, but I can do other things while that is happening). So what is the problem? It was far from painful.

 

[Nothinman]

Microsoft Service Packs contain more than just simple bux fixes-- they often introduce new libraries, tools, and features.

Which is total BS, bundling that crap just causes problems. At the very least they should release a seperate SP of just security fixes.

I just downloaded and installed 12 critical updates for my computer and it made me remember, in the event of a reinstall in the future, I must first obtain SP2, and then get EVERY update since SP2. It's a stupid and time-consuming process.

The only reason it's stupid and time consuming is because it requires a dozen reboots, if they would allow you to install the SP and all hotixes in one go it would be much less painful.