Question

Will installing SP2 wipe my hard drive?

Asked by: Olliedv

If I install XP SP2 over my current XP SP1, will it delete any of my files? Music/Photos/Programs etc?

Or will it keep all of them?

Thanks

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Asked On
2006-03-08 at 16:16:15ID21766393
Tags

wipe

,

my

,

sp2

,

hard

,

installing

Topic

Operating Systems Miscellaneous

Participating Experts
6
Points
100
Comments
13

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Answers

 

by: jjmartineziiiPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:17:03ID: 16140283

no, everything will be the same

just use windows update to do it

 

by: OlliedvPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:19:25ID: 16140297

Ok.

But why use Windows Update? I have the CD, and have also downloaded it from a website. Is there any difference?

 

by: leewPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:20:10ID: 16140302

None at all.  Just install it.  CD, website, doesn't really matter.

 

by: OlliedvPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:23:15ID: 16140318

Ok thanks.

Just to make sure, do you recommend it over SP1?

 

by: PUNKYPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:26:43ID: 16140340

Put CD in and choose upgrade. Windows will detect new version of windows OS and do installation. Some program might be need to reinstall again.

 

by: bwalker1Posted on 2006-03-08 at 16:31:14ID: 16140361

I think it is better than SP1, and, eventually you will have to install it to continue to recieve updates.

 

by: leewPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:39:17ID: 16140406

You should understand a Service Pack is NOT a program.  It is an all-inclusive set of patches (fixes) to poor programming by Microsoft and a few enhancements to better protect you.  So Service Pack 2 INCLUDES every fix and change that was in Service Pack 1.  Service Pack 2 CAN slow your system down because it's enhancements alter the way Windows works.  But, the slowdown should not be too severe and frankly, you SHOULD apply Service Pack 2 because without it, you are potentially leaving yourself at greater risk for Viruses, Spyware, Adware, etc.  

One further note - the joking definition of a service Pack is "Fix old bugs, add new ones" because invariable SOME fix for something will cause a problem with something else.  For this reason, I DO wait a few weeks or even months after a service pack is released to apply it.  So, if Service Pack 3 is released next month (PURE speculation, I have no idea WHEN or if it will be released) then wait until summer at least to install it, but definitely install it by the September.

 

by: jjmartineziiiPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:47:47ID: 16140455

yeah, you dont have to use windows update, the cd is better

 

by: mehul_karPosted on 2006-03-08 at 16:56:16ID: 16140490

do not get SP2 if you have an older computers. i tried it, and it messed up everything on my computer.

the network stopped working....so internet also stoped working. it was a mess.

but for newer machines...go for it...its probably good...:)

here's the official microsoft page that tells you what you need to know before isntalling sp2:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

and no sp2 will not delete any of your files

 

by: OlliedvPosted on 2006-03-08 at 17:00:47ID: 16140506

I accepted an answer but forgot how to split points. Can anyone point me in the right direction? =)

 

by: OlliedvPosted on 2006-03-08 at 17:06:43ID: 16140541

Thanks =D

 

by: MichaelProPosted on 2006-03-10 at 21:49:42ID: 16161619

Answer: It will "never" wipe your data from your system. ServicePack simply does not perform any disk activity; it's just updating internal windows files and adding some enhancements.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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