Windows XP SP1 and SP2

[CompKidRRO]

I am looking into buying XP Home edition and came across the question of what is SP1 and SP2. I am guessing that it is an update for XP but is it free can i get it from the microsoft windows update website?

 

[BlueWeasel]

SP1 and SP2 = Windows XP Service Pack 1 and 2.

SP1 can currently be downloaded from Microsoft's site free of charge. SP2 has not been officially released yet.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Word of warning, do not install SP1 yet. Many people have suffered EXTREME PERFORMANCE DEGREDATION after installing SP1. MS has admitted that this can happen, but does not yet offer a solution to the problem or an easy way to uninstall SP1 if you suffer from this problem (in other words, you will need to install from scratch, not a fix install, but a compltely format and install).

 

[spyordie007]

I would disagree Fallen, while there are some people who have run into minor performance issues the majority of people havent had any problems at all. MS has already released patches to the majority of the problems that were reported with SP1 and have included them with Windows Updates.

Compkidrro I would recommend you install the OS and apply SP1 plus the updates available on the Windows Update site. Once SP2 is released (which should be late(er) this year) it will be a downloadable patch (also available through Windows Updates).

-Spy

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Word of warning, do not install SP1 yet. Many people have suffered EXTREME PERFORMANCE DEGREDATION after installing SP1. MS has admitted that this can happen, but does not yet offer a solution to the problem or an easy way to uninstall SP1 if you suffer from this problem (in other words, you will need to install from scratch, not a fix install, but a compltely format and install).

I haven't heard of this happening with enough frequency to not recommend installing SP1. In general, SP1 fixes some of the many problems/holes/etc in windowsXP.

 

[Mem]

SP1 update for XP has been excellent for me, btw the best way would be to slipstream SP1 onto a XP CD and do a clean install with the new slipstream XP+SP1 CD,I`ve done this on my PC.

SP1 has over 200 bug fixes so should be installed. Btw XP has SP1 now included if you decide to buy it.

 

[jmatt]

Programs Run Slower After You Install Windows XP SP-1
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1

http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/xp-sp1-bug.html
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;815411

http://www.iebeta.net/files/Q815411_WXP_SP2_x86_ENU.exe
Fixes speed problems in XPsp1 ( boot & program loading )

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: jmatt
Programs Run Slower After You Install Windows XP SP-1
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1

http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/xp-sp1-bug.html
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;815411

http://www.iebeta.net/files/Q815411_WXP_SP2_x86_ENU.exe
Fixes speed problems in XPsp1 ( boot & program loading )

Right from the document you linked:
This hotfix provides a workaround in the heap algorithm to better handle a particular atypical and uncommon sequence of heap requests. The atypical request pattern was found in a custom-built program that does not bear much resemblance to the vast majority of other Windows programs in existence. The scope and the size of this hotfix is narrowly defined for this one particular program and the workaround has no benefit for the majority of programs or overall system performance.

We arent saying that it works perfectly for everyone, but nearly everyone had no performance differance at all after applying SP1. Once more those who did have problems can get a hotfix that solves the problem through regular Windows Updates (just like I suggested).

-Spy

 

[spyordie007]

once more notice the status on the bottom of the document:

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. Note This article was revised on 4/12/2003 to more accurately reflect the specific purpose and details of the fix. The original title of this article gave the false impression that this was a problem facing many, if not most, Windows XP users who installed SP1. In fact, the problem affects a very small number of customers who are using a privately designed program that exhibits behavior that the hotfix was created to address. (This article was previously published under the title: ?Programs Run Slower After You Install Windows XP SP-1?. The contents of the hotfix itself have not changed, only the Knowledge Base documentation was revised for improved accuracy and clarity.

-Spy

 

[MainFramed]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Word of warning, do not install SP1 yet. Many people have suffered EXTREME PERFORMANCE DEGREDATION after installing SP1. MS has admitted that this can happen, but does not yet offer a solution to the problem or an easy way to uninstall SP1 if you suffer from this problem (in other words, you will need to install from scratch, not a fix install, but a compltely format and install).

thanks didint know that

 

[earthman]

If you buy Windows XP it has Service Pack One already in it. Has had ever since it came out.

 

[CrazyCompGeek]

Originally posted by: Mem
SP1 update for XP has been excellent for me, btw the best way would be to slipstream SP1 onto a XP CD and do a clean install with the new slipstream XP+SP1 CD,I`ve done this on my PC.

SP1 has over 200 bug fixes so should be installed. Btw XP has SP1 now included if you decide to buy it.

Mem, can you show me how to do slipstream XP + SP1 into a CD?? Will it be still bootable, then?
Thanks

 

[spyordie007]

http://www.betaspy.co.uk/ssp1.asp

follow the first link at the bottom if you want to make it a bootable CD

-Spy

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Word of warning, do not install SP1 yet. Many people have suffered EXTREME PERFORMANCE DEGREDATION after installing SP1. MS has admitted that this can happen, but does not yet offer a solution to the problem or an easy way to uninstall SP1 if you suffer from this problem (in other words, you will need to install from scratch, not a fix install, but a compltely format and install).

thanks didint know that

You might wanna read the rest of the posts.

 

[CrazyCompGeek]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
http://www.betaspy.co.uk/ssp1.asp

follow the first link at the bottom if you want to make it a bootable CD

-Spy

Thanks Spyordie007.

 

[Mem]

CrazyCompGeek go here ,yes it`s bootable,it`s just a copy of XP with SP1 already installed.

 

[LocutusX]

I also had the performance issues after I upgraded to SP1. No, I do not have a nvidia-chipset-based motherboard.

These issues did not cause the programs themselves to perform slower, but the startup time of these programs was greatly slowed down. Even programs as small and common as frickin' NOTEPAD.EXE was affected by this. I plan on installing the fix found at " http://www.warp2search.net/download.php?op=viewdownload&cid=9 ".

BTW Microsoft's support of this issue has been ABYSMAL. Despite what the Microsoft employees err I mean, cheerleaders, say in this thread, it is NOT available at Windows Update. You cannot even download it from microsoft.com's Knowledge Base! You have to call up tech support or contact Microsoft Support somehow and request it. Typical Microsoft bug-handling finesse. Fortunately there are many fine 3rd party sites which are hosting the file, such as the one I listed above, and the one someone listed earlier in this thread.


Quoting spyordie007:

Once more those who did have problems can get a hotfix that solves the problem through regular Windows Updates (just like I suggested).

Wrong. To obtain the fix from Microsoft you must CONTACT THEM. Talk about convenient!

IMHO, Microsoft's original title of the Knowledge Base article was more accurate; it DOES affect many more people then they are letting on.

 

[bsobel]

These issues did not cause the programs themselves to perform slower, but the startup time of these programs was greatly slowed down. Even programs as small and common as frickin' NOTEPAD.EXE was affected by this. I plan on installing the fix found at " http://www.warp2search.net/download.php?op=viewdownload&cid=9 ".

I'm not saying you didn't see a slowdown, but this patch is not likely to be the cause. It was affecting a couple VERY specific applications internal to a certain company, the hotfix was originally developed for them. The write up came out very general and people jumped all over it as some sort of holy grail fix. Do try it, but I sincerely doubt you'll see a change. If notepad is slow starting, this is certainly not the cause.

BTW Microsoft's support of this issue has been ABYSMAL. Despite what the Microsoft employees err I mean, cheerleaders, say in this thread, it is NOT available at Windows Update. You cannot even download it from microsoft.com's Knowledge Base! You have to call up tech support or contact Microsoft Support somehow and request it. Typical Microsoft bug-handling finesse. Fortunately there are many fine 3rd party sites which are hosting the file, such as the one I listed above, and the one someone listed earlier in this thread.

As it should be. The fix is not tested fully and shouldn't be made available to anyone unless they actually need it. When I need non-regressed hotfixes, it's about a 5 minute call to MS, they email you the fix (and they don't charge for it).

Anhow, post your results. I suspect that more recent hotfix q811493 might be more of a culprit in your case, but you didn't mention you installed it.

Bill