Computer and Software Support


Ways to install service packs

There is two ways to install Service Pack

  1. Download and install Service Pack
  2. Install Service Pack via Windows Update

Preferred way is to Download and install the Service Pack. Be sure to burn it to a CD before installing SP2. If you have it on a CD, you will have it if your system crashes. If you just download it and install, you will loose it if your system crashes.

Here is the link to download Service Pack. Download Service Pack click here. It is a big download and not suggested on dial-up. Download it and then burn it to a CD. (the page is Microsoft's. They change the location of their pages from time to time and the link may become invalid. Please inform me if it is. Thanks)

If you install Service Pack via Windows Update, you stand a chance of having a bad install. The first option is the best route.

Here is instructions on preparing the system for installing Service Pack

  1. Back up your files in the event a problem arises.
  2. Disconnect all peripherals (printers, scanners, cameras, game pads, external CD-ROM, external hard drives, DSL and Cable modems etc)
  3. Make sure your system is clean and free of spyware
  4. Create a restore point
  5. Limit MSCONFIG
  6. Make sure you have no spyware on the system
  7. Install the service pack two.