Ron Schenone

Vista SP2 – To Upgrade Or Not – That Is The Question

Posted by on Apr 30, 2009 | 13 Comments

Microsoft has announced that SP2 is getting ready for release and it will be a Windows update. For others the download will be made available as a standalone via MSDN, TechNet or Connect. [I got mine via Connect but haven't installed it yet.]

But if and when you decide to install SP2 for Vista, make sure you read the Microsoft article on which programs that may experience functionality problems after installing SP2. At their site Microsoft states:

Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008 contains many security, reliability, and feature updates for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008. A program may experience a loss of functionality after you install SP2 for Windows Vista SP2 or for Windows Server 2008. However, most programs continue to work as expected after you install SP2.

This article lists programs that have been reported to experience a loss of functionality when they are installed on a Windows Vista SP2-based or a Windows Server 2008 SP2-based computer.

Notes

  • This article should not be considered a comprehensive list of programs that experience loss of functionality when they run on a Windows Vista SP2-based or a Windows Server 2008 SP2-based computer.
  • If you are using a program that appears in this article, you may have to        contact the software vendor for more information.

    • So the question you must ask yourself is if you should install SP2. For the majority of us the answer is yes. Not only will SP2 fix problems with Vista issues itself, but will also allow the user to continue getting future updates that you may need to run Vista itself or other programs.

    Microsoft web site is here for SP2 information.

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    • Goose

      Awaiting the BLADES command…………

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      I’ll let you know when Goose.

    • Tommy

      I plan on updating.

    • Ryan Farmer

      I’ve been using the RC, and while it doesn’t stop the overall patent stupidity of Vista, it, like SP1 at least fix SOME of the things that griped me.

      Example, the system no longer acts hungover after a resume and it doesn’t take a full minute to ping my router and connect.

      It’s the small stuff.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hello Ryan,
      Thanks for the info.

    • Ryan Farmer

      Worth mentioning!

      Vista SP2 has a tool to clean up ALL former updates, and the SP1/2 uninstall files which can free up several GB of disk space.

      ONLY use it if you are on the RTM build of SP2, not the RC or Beta!

      ONLY use it when you know you will NEVER want to uninstall SP2, as your backup and uninstall files will be gone and SP2 will be an integrated part of the system!

      Directions

      1) Open run command
      2) type compcln.exe, hit enter, run the clean-up tool
      3) read on screen directions

      If you’re running low on disk space are just don’t like crap laying around, you should probably do this.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Thanks Ryan, good to know.

    • Ryan Farmer

      I should mention that Avira fixed their Antivir program to be compatible with SP2, all users should get the update per the daily update.

      And in *some* cases, the Bonjour service installed alongside Apple’s Safari, iTunes, Quicktime, etc. for Windows will mess up your DHCP settings causing you to not be able to connect to the internet (news article I was reading earlier).

      My fix:

      Remove the Bonjour Service (uninstall it).

      Open an Administrator command prompt and issue this command (no quotes):

      “route delete 0.0.0.0″

      THEN install SP2.

      Just deleting that route will fix it until Apple issues an update for Bonjour, then unless they fixed it, you’ll be in the same situation, so it’s best to remove the offending Bonjour service entirely until Apple says they fixed it.

      I have never really needed it, I was jsut too lazy to turn it off til it caused me problems. :)

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    • EP

      Hi Ron. Please read this Techarp.com article on the latest Vista SP2 Release Schedule:
      http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=604

      Currently Vista SP2 is available to MSDN and Technet subscribers but not available to the public (aka. RTW = release to web) on Windows Update & Microsoft Download Center until near the end of May.

    • Ryan Farmer

      I managed to get the final build from an Undisclosed Location.

      I think Microsoft is trying to make SP2 scarce to encourage upgrades to Windows 7.

      Example would be that the OEM pre installation kit isn’t out til 60 days AFTER Windows 7 is released, and even then it’s optional.

      They don’t want people to weigh the option to stick with Vista after seeing it fairly stable and well behaved, I think SP2 was more for their business customers than anything.

    • Carol

      Just found your web site now while I`m sitting here waiting for Sevice Pack 2 to download. Guess they forgot about people on dial up still. I finally installed a download manager so I could carry on where I left off. Thanks for all your info. Hope it`s worth all the time and effort downloading.
      Does anyone know if there is a problem with it working with ESet security?
      Thanks again for the information