Windows XP Service Pack 2 Information

Microsoft released Service Pack 2 for Windows XP during the week of August 16, 2004. We have designed this page to help you prepare your XP system for the update to Service Pack 2. If you have any pre-installation questions or have any post-installations issues, please contact the CIS Helpdesk at ext. 2439 or email at helpdesk@whoi.edu.

Before Installation Checklist:

• Verify that your system has enough hard disk space for the installation.
  The executable file is about 250MB, and at least 1.8GB of free space is needed for the installation.
• Check your computer for viruses, spyware and other unwanted software.
  You should check and remove any spyware, ad-ware or other unwanted software on your system prior to installing Service Pack 2. You should also check and confirm that your system is virus-free. A copy of Symantec Antivirus 9.0.1.100 or later is recommended for installation on your system prior to an install of Service Pack 2. This is available from the CIS Helpdesk. The following two programs are available for checking spyware and ad-ware (Note: WHOI is not recommending or endorsing any of these products, and caution should be used when running them.)
  
  • Lavasoft's Adaware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
  • Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
    
• Get the latest manufacturer updates for your system.
  You should check with your manufacturer first to identify any issues that may be related to Service Pack 2 and your particular system. Make sure that your system's BIOS is up to date and that all necessary device drivers are up to date. CIS has information on a few Dell systems where Dell does not recommend at this time Service Pack 2 should be installed.
  For Dell systems: http://support.dell.com/
• Backup your files.
  Backup your personal files prior to running Service Pack 2 including anything that is locally saved on the system (email, bookmarks, etc.). Service Pack 2 will automatically save your system settings and create a restore point for the backing out Service Pack 2 if the need arises, but it will not backup your personal files. If you are setup with the WHOI Backup service and have a successful backup before the update, you are all set.
• Verify that your software applications are compatible.
  Make sure that any software installed on the system is compatible with Service Pack 2. Microsoft has the following site that list issues with different applications and service pack 2: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242
  We also have a generic list that we can refer to, but we know there is an issue with the Cisco VPN client and SP2 and with the Legato Backup client and SP2. There are workarounds for both issues.

After the Installation:

• If you haven't already, update your system with the latest Symantec Antivirus (version 9.0.1.100 or later) that is available from the CIS Helpdesk. This fixes an issue with the antivirus program being detected under the SP2 Security Center.

If you encounter issues after the Service Pack 2 update, contact the CIS Helpdesk for assistance.