Will XP2 break my computer?

January 12, 2006 1:35 PM

Should I install XP SP2?

This MS page lists "programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer." Included are three programs I use on a regular basis:

PhotoShop CS 8.0 ("Program installs, but will not start.")
Norton SystemWorks 2004 - GoBack32 2004 ("If you install this program, you receive the "DRIVER_OR_IRQ_NOT_EQUAL" error every time your computer starts.")
ZoneAlarm 5.0.590 ("When you try to remove ZoneAlarm, you receive a Stop error message or your computer restarts before the uninstall program finishes.")

Elsewhere I've read the SP2 breaks all Adobe help pages. I use Adobe Framemaker all the time; if there is issue with this program it will be a real problem.

I've held out for this long, but an organization I often work with won't let me connect to their network unless SP2 is installed. Is it going to break my computer? Any experience with SP2 with these programs?

posted by Wet Spot to computers & internet (14 comments total)

SP2 has been out for a while, so you should check with each software vendor to see if they have released updates that resolve the SP2 related issues. My guess would be "yes."
posted by internal at 1:41 PM on January 12, 2006

you're running these all 64-bit? re-read the page.
posted by kcm at 1:58 PM on January 12, 2006

I can assure you that Photoshop CS worked just fine under SP2 (as does CS2). So did every other program on my machine. In fact, we have every one of our XP-based images (we're a training center) on SP2, and have had no problems whatsoever with any applications from Adobe (including their help files, which I've used a lot in studying for certification) or Macromedia.
posted by robhuddles at 2:18 PM on January 12, 2006

Just install it. I've never had a problem with it, and as long as you're not running some weird obscure programs you'll be fine.
posted by cellphone at 2:22 PM on January 12, 2006

you should have installed SP2 a long time ago.
posted by b1tr0t at 2:37 PM on January 12, 2006

The two particular problems you mention are only on the 64 bit version of XP, which I doubt you have. I'm not sure if you've been able to keep up to date with security patches without SP2 in recent months, so get that thing on there ASAP.
posted by mikeh at 2:53 PM on January 12, 2006

As kcm said, all the problems you mention occur only if you have a 64-bit processor in your computer. Chances are, you're not, because you would most likely know if you were. If you're not sure, though, right-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, and click Properties. Your processor type will show up under where it says "Computer:", and will have a "64" in it somewhere if it's a 64-bit processor.

So, assuming you don't have a 64-bit processor, the answer to your question is yes, yes, for the love of God yes! Without SP2, you're probably missing out on a lot of bug fixes, and leaving your computer that much less secure.
posted by CrayDrygu at 2:59 PM on January 12, 2006

yesterday!
posted by ori at 4:02 PM on January 12, 2006

not installing sp2 makes u vulnerable to an assload of security risks. ive also come across software that wont work right without sp2 installed. thats another thing to think about.
posted by deeman at 6:11 PM on January 12, 2006

If you haven't installed SP2 by now, you're probably already rooted. If you can impose upon a particularly computer literate friend, you'll want them to come clean all the mal-ware off your PC.
posted by krisjohn at 7:05 PM on January 12, 2006

the latest version of zone alarm free is 6.1.737.000, so that shouldn't be a concern ... works fine on sp2

there are some old dos type games that stopped working which is why i keep one of my computers on sp1 ... but i don't think you're worried about that
posted by pyramid termite at 8:44 PM on January 12, 2006

Yes, and get rid of your Symantec software. It's garbage since the marketers took over from the engineers.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:29 PM on January 12, 2006

Thanks everyone. I've been installing bug fixes all along, so I think that's covered, but I'll install the SP2 pronto.
posted by Wet Spot at 8:50 AM on January 13, 2006

I just want to throw in here that I attempted to install SP2 a while back, it killed my network connections beyond repair, couldnt be removed, and each day that passed something else stopped working.

I phoned MS and got passed from one person to another gradually moving up the chain of command until I was told "you will have to reinstall XP, but if you get it working can you give us a call?"

For this reason Ive always told people that if its a fresh install of XP, go for it - if not then leave it and keep doing all the other windows updates.

Have there been improvements to SP2 in the last year that i dont know of?
posted by lemonfridge at 4:48 PM on January 13, 2006