How do I avoid Windows XP SP-2

bobengel,
There used to be a registry key you could add that would disable the download and install of SP2 on XP machines. However this was a temporary fix and MS designed the key to no longer work after April 12.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx

After that, the fix won't work anymore and the SP will be downloaded. However automatic updates will not automatically install SP2 (at least not from what I've seen) It gets downloaded but not automatically installed like other updates.

Fact of the matter is, you won't be able to get a lot of the newer updates because they will require SP2. You'll only be able to avoid SP2 for so long, so you might want to start trying to figure out how you are going to make SP2 work on your machine instead of trying to avoid it.

use Linux...

aside from this disable auto updates, then when you do update select your updates leving sp2 unchecked

I've decided to attempt another SP-2 install and will post the results.  Too bad MS won't extend the disabling of SP2.  I'm sure we're not the only ones who have problems with this upgrade.  Maybe it will work this time as I did the XP repair function which may have corrected some missing or corrupted files.  I'll post the reslults.

I think that you are trying address the wrong problem.

You SHOULD install SP2 on the computer, the problem worth addressing is why it won't install.  This is especially true because the most common reason for failure to install is that the machine is infected with virus' or spyware that is hosing up the attempted installation of the firewall.  The first rule for installing SP2 is to make sure that the machine is clean BEFORE you install it, because it's security enhancements are geared to preventing infection, not towards removing them from an already infected machine.

There is no single spyware program that will detect and remove even half of the spyware that's out there.  There is no 2-product combination that will detect and remove even 80% of them.  But for starters, I'd run:

- A good AV program (I use Norton)
- Ad-aware
- The new Microsoft spyware program now in beta test (it's available for free download)

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

bobenge

I agree with the DVation191 there will come a time when you will need to fix the problem with SP2 rather than just avoiding it.


However, if SP2 is automatically installing then make sure your not using a WUS or SUS server in your company that is pushing the installation out. I’ve setup WUS in our company to do this and so far haven’t run into any problems.


Check for any Software delivery servers, SMS could be doing it as well.



Hindle

You won't be able to avoid Microsoft Windows XP SP2 as Microsoft will begin forcing clients to install the update on April 12, 2005.

I installed SP-2 from a CD which contains the installation file I downloadeed from MS.  This time, I will us MS download and see what happens.  I'll report results.

I am noiw currently downloading the SP-2 update and it's being installed on the Compaq notebook in question.  If it stalls again as it did  before, I will need to do a clean  install of XP and then the SP-2 update.  

On the current machine, I ran three anti-sypware programs plus a virus scan and it's clean.  Previously, I reinstalled XP Home in the update mode hoping that it would correct any sofware problems.  It hit one snag during the install: "Error loading setup eak.dll".  I pressed OK and the update continued.  XP appears normal and the only thing that was lost is the program menu.  All of the programs are still there but they don't show up on Start>All Programs anymore.  I will have to manually place icons for starting each program on the desktop so the owner can find them. I will post results.

Final Report:  With the exception of the error listed above, SP-2 installed OK and the computer seems to be working fine.  Thanks to all who contributed.

Thank you bobengel

I'm wondering what the next Microsoft OS is going to be. Should be coming pretty soon, deprecating XP.  Microsoft PP ?

The next OS will be the OS currently code-named "Longhorn" and it's due out 2nd half of 2006, but could well slip into 2007.

Before that, XP 64-bit will be out.  It's already available in beta, I believe.  This is not really a new OS but an upgrade to take advantage of AMD's 64 bit chips and some software that's available.  

I don't think that Windows 64-bit will be of widespread general interest at this time.  My guess is that it will sell more copies than tablet, but fewer than Windows XP MCE (media center).

You might try checking with the vender of your laptop to see if they have a pre-SP2 update prior to installing the MS SP2. I ran into a problem with a machine crashing because I did not get the vender update first.

Creative Tech,

THanks for your response.  The issue has been resolved earlier so this subject can be closed
  RME