Re: SP2 issue

From: sc (sc_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 05/16/05

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    Date: Sun, 15 May 2005 20:29:42 -0700

    Hi Shenan,

    Many thanks for your help and reference. I have benefited a lot from them.
    Many thanks again for your help and info.

    Thank you for your kind attention.

    Best regards,

    sc

    "Shenan Stanley" wrote:

    > sc wrote:
    > > Hi,
    > >
    > > There have been lots of reports on various issues after applying SP2.
    > > However, Microsoft strongly recomends that all PCs running Windows XP
    > > should be updated with SP2. Before I can apply SP2 on the Windows
    > > XP machine, I would like to know if it is safe to apply SP2. Will
    > > it consume more resources? or any negative impact after applying SP2?
    >
    > Only you can determine what effect it would have on your system.
    > It should not consume more resources, and like any OS - you can tweak it to
    > use less resources.
    >
    > Make sure your system is clean of spyware/adware/malware.
    > Make sure your system is clean of viruses/trojons/worms.
    > Make sure you uninstall applications you never use/don't need.
    > Make sure you update your hardware drivers to the latest drivers from the
    > manufacturer.
    > Make sure you check your applications for updates/patches.
    > Make sure you check for BIOS updates for your motherboard.
    > Make sure your system hard drive has been scanned for errors.
    > Make sure your system hard drive has been defragmented.
    >
    > ** Be sure to backup your important files before installing SP2. You can
    > never be positive things won't go awry, but you can help minimize any impact
    > it would have.
    >
    > How To Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422
    >
    > I personally prefer to use the full SP2 file when installing:
    >
    > Direct Download of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP
    > http://snipurl.com/8bqy
    >
    > Order the Free Windows XP SP2 CD
    > http://snipurl.com/8umo
    >
    > Otherwise - you should have little trouble. Also - here are a bunch more
    > tips to help keep your system clean and stable:
    >
    > Microsoft has these suggestions for Protecting your computer from the
    > various "bad things" that could happen to you/it:
    >
    > Protect your PC
    > http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
    >
    >
    > Although those tips are fantastic, there are many things you should
    > know above and beyond what is there as well as other methods and
    > applications you can use to protect yourself. Below I have detailed
    > out many steps that can not only help you cleanup a problem PC but
    > keep it clean and secure as well as running at its top performance mark.
    >
    > I know this list can seem intimidating - it is quite long and a lot
    > to take in for a novice - but I assure you that one trip through this
    > list and you will understand your computer and the options available
    > to you for protecting your data much better and that the next time
    > you review these steps, the time it takes will be greatly reduced.
    >
    > Let's take the cleanup of your computer step-by-step. Yes, it will take
    > up some of your time - but consider what you use your computer
    > for and how much you would dislike it if all of your stuff on your
    > computer went away because you did not "feel like" performing some
    > simple maintenance tasks - think of it like changing the oil in your car,
    > changing the air filter on your home A/C unit, paying your bills on time,
    > etc.
    >
    > Let's go through some maintenance first that should only have to be done
    > once (mostly):
    >
    > Tip (1):
    > Locate all of the software (the installation media - CDs, etc) that you
    > have installed on your computer. Collect these CDs into a single pile
    > and locate the original installation media (CDs, disks) in a central and
    > safe place along with their CD keys and such. Make backups of these
    > installation media sets using your favorite copying method (CD Burner and
    > application, Disk copier, etc.) You'll be glad to know that if you have
    > a CD burner, you may be able to use a free application to make a
    > duplicate copy of your CDs. One such application is ISORecorder:
    >
    > ISORecorder home page (with general instructions on use):
    > http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
    >
    > Pre-SP2 version:
    > http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/IsoRecorder/download.asp
    >
    > Post-SP2 beta version:
    > http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/download/ISORecorderV2B2.zip
    >
    > More full function applications (free) for CD/DVD burning would be:
    >
    > DeepBurner Free
    > http://www.deepburner.com/
    >
    > CDBurnerXP Pro
    > http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
    >
    > Another Option would be to search the web with Pricewatch.com or
    > Dealsites.net and find deals on Nero and/or Roxio.
    >
    >
    > Tip (2):
    > Empty your Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files and make sure the
    > maximum size for this is small enough not to cause trouble in the future.
    > Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
    > size between 128MB and 512MB..
    >
    > - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
    > - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
    > - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
    > following:
    > - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
    > - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
    > something between 128MB and 512MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right
    > now.)
    > - Click OK.
    > - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
    > (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
    > minutes or more.)
    > - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
    > Explorer.
    >
    >
    > Tip (3):
    > If things are running a bit slow or you have an older system
    > (1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
    > tweaking the performance a bit by turning off some of the memory
    > using Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:
    >
    > Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance section,
    > Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
    > now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off many of the annoying
    > "prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
    > three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
    > other annoyances. You could also grab and install/mess with one
    > (or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:
    >
    > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
    >
    >
    > Tip (4):
    > Understanding what a good password might be is vital to your
    > personal and system security. You may not need to password your home
    > computer, as you may have it in a locked area (your home) where no
    > one else has access to it. Remember, however, that locked area is
    > unlocked when you access the Internet unless you are taking proper
    > precautions. Also, you aren't always "in that locked area" when using
    > your computer online - meaning you likely have usernames and passwords
    > associated with web sites and the likes that you would prefer other
    > people do not discover/use. This is why you should understand and
    > utilize good passwords.
    >
    > Good passwords are those that meet these general rules
    > (mileage may vary):
    >
    > Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
    > string should contain at least three of these four character types:
    > - uppercase letters
    > - lowercase letters
    > - numerals
    > - nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !)
    >
    > Passwords should not contain your name/logon name. Passwords should
    > be unique to you and easy to remember. One method many people are
    > using today is to make up a phrase that describes a point in their
    > life and then turning that phrase into their password by using only
    > certain letters out of each word in that phrase. It's much better
    > than using your birthday month/year or your anniversary in a pure
    > sense. For example, let's say my phrase is:
    > "Moved to new home in 2004"
    > I could come up with this password from that:
    > "Mv2n3whmN04"
    >
    > The password tip is in the "one time" section, but I highly
    > recommend you periodically change your passwords. The suggested time
    > varies, but I will throw out a "once in every 3 to 6 months for
    > every account you have."
    >
    >
    > Tip (5):
    > This tip is also "questionable" in the "one time" section. However,
    > if properly setup, this one can be pretty well ignored for most people
    > after the initial "fiddle-with" time.
    >
    > Why you should use a computer firewall..
    > http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/fwbenefits.mspx
    >
    > You should, in some way, use a firewall. Hardware (like a nice
    > Cable Modem/DSL router) or software is up to you. Many use both of
    > these. The simplest one to use is the hardware one, as most people
    > don't do anything they need to configure their NAT device for and
    > those who do certainly will not mind fiddling with the equipment to
    > make things work for them. Next in the line of "simplicity" would
    > have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. In SP2 it
    > is turned on by default. It is not difficult to turn on in any
    > case, however:
    >
    > Enable/Disable the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
    >
    > More information on the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320855
    >
    > Post-SP2 Windows Firewall Information/guidance:
    > http://snipurl.com/atal
    >
    > The trouble with the Windows Firewall is that it only keeps things
    > out. Truthfully, for most people who maintain their system in other
    > ways, this is MORE than sufficient. However, you may feel otherwise.
    > If you want to know when one of your applications is trying to obtain
    > access to the outside world so you can stop it, then you will have to
    > install a third-party application and configure/maintain it. I have
    > compiled a list with links of some of the better known/free firewalls
    > you can choose from:
    >
    > ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
    > http://snipurl.com/6ohg
    >
    > Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
    > http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
    >
    > Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
    > http://www.agnitum.com/download/
    >
    > Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
    > http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
    >
    > Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
    > http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
    >
    > BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
    > http://blackice.iss.net/
    >
    > Perhaps you can find the right firewall for your situation in that
    > list and set it up/configure it. Every firewall MAY require some
    > maintenance. Essentially checking for patches or upgrades (this
    > goes for hardware and software solutions) is the extent of this
    > maintenance - but you may also have to configure your firewall to
    > allow some traffic depending on your needs. Also, don't stack these
    > things. Running more than one firewall will not make you safer
    > - it would likely (in fact) negate some protection you gleamed
    > from one or the other firewalls you run.
    >
    >
    >
    > Now that you have some of the more basic (one-time) things down..
    > Let's go through some of the steps you should take periodically to
    > maintain a healthy and stable windows computer. If you have not
    > done some of these things in the past, they may seem tedious at
    > first - however, they will become routine and some can even be
    > automatically scheduled.
    >
    >
    > Tip (6):
    > The system restore feature is a new one - first appearing in Windows
    > ME and then sticking around for Windows XP. It is a VERY useful
    > feature - if you keep it maintained and use it to your advantage.
    > However, remember that the system restore pretty much tells you in
    > the name what it protects - "system" files. Your documents, your
    > pictures, your stuff is NOT system files - so you should also look
    > into some backup solution.
    >
    > I'll mainly work around Windows XP, as that is what the bulk of this
    > document is about. I will, however, point out a single place for you
    > poor souls still stuck in Windows ME where you can get information on
    > maintaining your system right now:
    >
    > Windows ME Computer Health:
    > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsME/using/computerhealth/articles/
    >
    > Pay close attention to the sections:
    > (in order)
    > - Clean up your hard disk
    > - Check for errors by running ScanDisk
    > - Defragment your hard disk
    > - Roll back the clock with System Restore
    >
    > Now back to the point at hand - maintaining your system restore in
    > Windows XP SHOULD be automatic - but I have seen the automatic go wrong
    > too many times not to suggest the following.. Whenever you think about
    > it (after doing a once-over on your machine once a month or so would
    > be optimal) - clear out your System Restore and create a manual
    > restoration point. Why? Too many times have I seen the system restore
    > files go corrupt or get a virus in them, meaning you could not or
    > did not want to restore from them. By clearing it out periodically
    > you help prevent any corruption from happening and you make sure you
    > have at least one good "snapshot".
    > (This, of course, will erase any previous restore point you have.)
    >
    > - Turn off System Restore.
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
    > - Reboot.
    > - Turn on System Restore.
    > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
    > - Make a Manual Restoration Point.
    > http://snipurl.com/68nx
    >
    > That covers your system files, but doesn't do anything for the files
    > that you are REALLY worried about - yours! For that you need to look

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