Windows XP SP2

[Fierce Critter]

So I need to download and install Service Pack 2 to work on this damned hijacking problem.

But for whatever damned reason, Microsoft doesn't provide a direct download for SP2. You either have to get the one that's meant for IT professionals who are going to load it on multiple machines, or you have to go through the automatic updates.

So I'm trying to get it through automatic updates. But the list of 22 updates it wants to install on my machine all look to be security updates to SP1.

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?

Any suggestions? I've been working on this for 2 hours now, it's going on 4:00 a.m. and I'm freaking ready to throw something expensive & foolish.

[Scary Guy]

Yeah if there is a link in there for SP2 click on it. all the other updates will not download and it will say it must be downloaded and installed seperately from everything else.

Though I still don't think you need it to fix the hijacking problem. It's more of a pain than anything else. Still those security updates are nice.

[Fierce Critter]

The only links take you to direct update - and it doesn't come up as an option.

I ran the computer last night and downloaded the files they DID want me to install. It all installed, but I still have SP1.

I can order a damned CD free of charge, but I can't get the download of the webpage. WTF?

The person who is helping me is doing this long-distance and could be assisted if I had the "manage add ons" feature in the MSIE toolbar - and that comes with SP2 - doesn't appear with SP1.

EDIT AFTER POSTING THIS: "Just Because", I clicked on the Windows Update icon on my computer - NOW SP2 is in my cue for updates.

I had a feeling that might happen once I downloaded and installed the initial files they wanted me to.

[Ginevra]

Oi vey, FC. Let me know if you're still having issues with this. If so, I'll see if Dubh can lend you a hand as he does all the updates for my machines and well, it's what he does for a living.

You know how to get ahold of me :smiling:

[The_Dark]

The download for IT pros is the only direct download for SP2 because, well, why would they need another direct download? You can either download all the prerequisites and then download just the parts of SP2 that you personally need via Windows Update or you can download the whole package with all the prerequisites included (the IT version).

[Fierce Critter]

They indicate on the link for the IT version download that if you only need one copy, you should do the one through Updates.

I believe there's probably good reason for this. For one thing, the individual one that finally appeared after I updated SP1 is a 10+ hour download. I imagine the more elaborate one for IT/multiple computers is even larger.

Also, there is probably good reason (I'm HOPING there is after all this) for updating SP1 before installing SP2. I don't pretend to be an expert at the technical side of things, but I would imagine there's good reason behind it.

I just wish they were more open about WHY you can't download SP2 directly. A simple disclaimer or explanation saying, "you need to download and install updates to SP1 before you can download and install SP2" would have saved me about 2-1/2 hours of aggravation thinking I just wasn't doing something right or that the download link was broken or something.

[The_Dark]

You can download SP2 and install it without having SP1 installed. You just download the package for IT Pros. It contains every update you may possibly need. Thats why it's 266mb in size. If you choose to go through WindowsUpdate to install SP2, it will require you to install certain required updates. Those prerequisits are what determines which parts of SP2 you need and insure that you don't download things you dont need. Every update on WindowsUpdate has a link attached that explains exactly what the update does.

[Fierce Critter]

Not sure what your point is, TD. Perhaps you're forgetting I'm NOT an IT pro, and therefore can't really think like one.

I thought it best to follow the website to where it was directing me. As I am not an IT pro needing to install SP2 on multiple machines, I followed Microsoft's inscrutable links where they took me.

As you said, "Those prerequisits are what determines which parts of SP2 you need and insure that you don't download things you dont need." Thus, it appears I did the right thing.

My beef at this point is that they don't come out directly ANYWHERE on their website and explain that you have to do just that BEFORE you can download the SP2 install itself. They just link you from one page to another site to another, in a really frustrating circle that makes it LOOK like you should be able to automatically get the SP2 install - but it's very misleading.

Like I said, all they need to do is put a note in parentheses somewhere saying that if you're trying to install SP2 from Microsoft Updates, you won't be able to do so until certain prerequisite updates are downloaded and installed for SP1. They never say that - ANYWHERE. The closest they come is saying that if you can't download it for some reason, you should order a free CD install. Which is TOTALLY unnecessary in a situation like I was experiencing last night.

[Vater Araignee]

I would recomend that you download spak2 for as you put it IT professionals then burn it to disk this way you will always have it just in case :grin: you know for that eventual F.A.R.(format and reinstall) ppl think they need to do.

[Fierce Critter]

... as you put it IT professionals...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Microsoft's verbage, not mine.

I will be running my computer overnight tonight to install SP2 now that it's been made available to me.

[Vater Araignee]

When you are done if you are still having probs then e-mail my tech guy at

tech@benjamin-olmsted.us just put browser help in the subject.

he is picky however so do not tell him what you think is wrong just give him the biggest list of simptoms you can and a few examples he is an ex-MCSE+I and a few other as he puts it usless acronyms.

"sids if I'm lucky you will get him active on my site working on a tech faq

[Fierce Critter]

Thanks, VA. I appreciate that.

I have someone helping me with the current browser hijacking, but if we can't figure it out together, I might take you up on that.

As for SP2, I don't know where I go tthe idea this was supposed to take something like 10 hours to download - I believe that was the estimated time for the version for IT Pros. 'cause I ran the update for a single computer last night, and it downloaded & fully installed in something like 1 hour.