The Thread of True Horror (Installing SP2)

[Goldom]

Well, I've finally decided I'm just going to install XP SP2 and deal with the consequences. I'd rather it be strucken from the face of the earth, but that's not an option I guess.

At least, I tried, but I couldn't even get that far. While trying to back up old files, I get that it cannot find atapi.sys in c:\windows\system32\drivers. Doing a search, it most definately is in c:\windows\system32\drivers. Looking around online, a lot of people were having a problem with the installer saying this file is in use, but that's at a later part of the install. Those problems, I read, were caused by programs such as cd-image mounting tools, which I do indeed have, though are not open currently. And the solution to that problem was simply renaming/deleting the .sys file before installing. But seeing as this error says it can't even find the file, though I can manually, I'm not sure if making it even harder to find would make any sense.

Suggestions?
(I'm not home right now, so I can't actually try anything yet)

[Gyre]

1. You DO have a choice ya know

Most people I know who are computer-literate are NOT installing it. MS will release a smoother patch sometime in the future after having benefitted from data from machines that don't like the patch. If your computer was/is working why bother with a beta that doesn't work?

Gyre

[LTR]

2. Rule of thumb regarding Windows Update

Wait at least 3-4 weeks. That gives them time to clean up any mistakes they made.

I advise everyone to turn off their auto update feature that Microshaft has advised everyone to turn on.

BTW: Anyone hear of a memory leak problem associated with SP2? I have someone who fried his system when trying to D/L SP2, and am wondering if they're related.

[Goldom]

4. I have been.

I don't have Automatic updates on. Even though it tries to make me every time. They've just released it for manual download though.

[BritishHuman]

3. It's not very secure, you know...

XP SP2 über patch already needs fixing

Windows XP SP2 features security crater

Makes you wonder what was wrong with Windows 98, really.

[Kellanved]

6. not really

The drag'n'drop vulnerability isn't new - it works with any XP version.

The firewall bug weakens the firewall - but without SP2 most users don't have one. Neither of those errors is a reason not to install SP2.

Edit:
Many things are wrong with 98. You get about 95% of the bugs found in XP, but none of the advantages (Memory Protection, no DOS, User Managment, ...)
And of course the OS just sucks.

[Goldom]

7. are you saying no dos is an advantage?

but.. i love dos! I even have an emulator of it for xp! :(

and no one has still answered the original question...

[Kellanved]

5. you can ignore it

The file is only needed for the backup - while there is a minor risk involved, the install will continue just fine.

[Goldom]

8. how?

Normally in this type of window there's "retry, cancel, skip", but there's no skip button here..

[Kellanved]

9. "cancel" will do the trick

AFAIR, that is.

[Goldom]

10. well, I'll try it when I get home.

And then we will see what the next problem is!

I'll be back in this thread in.. oh.. 8 hours with it, I'm sure.