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H.1. Before You Install
Installing a Service Pack is easy
enoughrun Windows Update (which downloads and installs the
Pack) or run the update from a Microsoft-supplied CD, then kick back
with a good book. (If you're managing a bunch of
networked PCs, you don't have to download the
Service Pack for each system; instead, you can download a single
network version that can update multiple computers on your network.)
The process is automatic, if lengthy. But before you install
anything, prepare your system. Service Pack 2, for example, includes
hundreds of bug fixes, security patches, and a liberal collection of
new features, many aimed at making XP a more secure platform.
That's laudable, but tweaking an OS to this extent
can raise hell (the technical term) with your applications and
peripherals. Older applications and hardware may refuse to run or run
erratically; in extreme cases, your PC may not boot up. Many
commercial software vendors usually have updates ready when a Service
Pack is released; hardware vendors will likewise provide updated
drivers and firmware. Among the problematic products for SP2, for
example, are versions of ZoneAlarm, Norton GoBack, WordPerfect, and
Microsoft's own Virtual PC.Our most important piece of advice when it comes to Service Packs?
Wait. Whatever new patches and features a Service Pack offers, you
don't need to install it right now. Wait several
weeks until reports from early adopters on software and hardware
problems, fresh security holes, and so on, come to light. Even the
biggest corporations wait before deploying Service Packs. You should
too.Once you've waitedand key problems with the
Service Pack have been identified (and hopefully fixed)take
these steps to prepare your machine:
- Check your PC's system requirements
If you're already running a version of Windows XP,
chances are you can run the Service Pack-modified version of XP. But
go to the page devoted to the service pack (such as
SP2's at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx)
and make sure your version of the OS, and your hardware, are up to
snuff. In the case of SP2, your PC must have 1.8 GB of free hard disk
space, 64 MB of RAM, and a 233 MHz or faster processor. To check your
PC's configuration, open the System Control Panel
and click the General tab (see Figure H-1).
Figure H-1. You can see which Service Pack is installed by opening the System control panel and clicking the General tab
- Back up your system
Service Pack installations can go awry. Protect your vital data and
do a thorough backup before you take the plunge. If you
don't have the means of backing up your entire hard
disk (say, you only have a CD writer), then a partial backup will do:
Back up all your documents, worksheets, presentations, databases,
images, templates, macros, MP3s, email address books, in and out
boxes, browser bookmarks/favorites, and other configuration files.
(For more information on backing up your system, see "Backup".)
Install firmware and driver updates
Major PC vendors often post updated BIOS firmware and new drivers for
storage devices, printers, video cards, and other hardware that came
with your system. Download and install any updates suggested by the
PC vendor for the Service Pack in question. Double-check the
peripheral vendor sites directly for updates as well.
Upgrade or replace your utility software
Most applications may run swimmingly under the new Service Pack. But
utilities, anti-virus programs, firewalls, and other system level
tools may not. (And the new Windows Security Center may not recognize
your anti-virus or firewall software until you update them to
SP2-compliant versions.) Check with the software vendor for updates
specifically tied to the Service Pack you're
installing.
Clean that disk!
Before you install any Service Pack, scan your system thoroughly with
up-to-date anti-virus and spyware/adware-catching programs. This is
good practice in general, and especially when you're
upgrading your OS.
Clear disk space
Service Packs are big suckers and they require a lot of space during
installation. SP2, for example, needs a minimum of 1.8 GB of free
space on your Windows drive. So before the Big Install, clear out old
temp files, flush the drive's caches
(XP's own Disk Cleanup tool does a good job), empty
the trash, and otherwise remove unnecessary files and programs. Then
defrag the drive thoroughly. This will boost overall performance and
make the Service Pack installation run that much more
quickly.
