Microsoft XP SP2

[numan]

Can anyone inform me on the reliability of XP SP2 now? I know of three people in the past year that upgraded to this and had all their data wiped as a consequence! I have held back from downloading it to date because of this - I have far too much work to copy everything to disc and it's too important to risk losing. Is there anyone out there that can categorically reassure me? I have recently obtained SP2 on disc from Microsoft, thinking that maybe it'll be the latest version without the bugs, but am still very sceptical. I am awaiting someone's reassurance in earnest! Thanks..

[Kerplunk]

I have used Service Pack 2 fo ages now on 3 different machins all run ok with no problems / data loss. I don't see how installing a service pack can cause irretrevable data loss anyway. All the pc's (about 300) at work use sp2 again with no issues relating to the service pack. If your data is that important, and you obviously have a lot of it, I would strongly urge you to take backups of it at regular intervals as HDD's don't last forever.

[numan]

Well, that told me, didn't it???

[j2buttonsw]

My experience only: if you have a xp machine that is sp-1 then had all the critical updates in order = potential problem if sp-2 applied (never boots again). If have clean xp build then the first thing is sp-2 then never had problems.

[numan]

Thanks j2 - a useful answer! So, as I do have SP1 and all the critical updates installed, I'd be better off not installing SP2 - that's what you're saying then? I knew I was right to be wary & cynical! My uncle has a large business and his complete client base disappeared upon installing SP2 - after the reboot from installing it, his customers were never to be seen again.. and that's just one example from some very unhappy people that I know of.. I'll leave it off on your advice. Thanks again. N

[OBonio]

No problems here.

If your work is really that important, you should seriously consider backing it up!

It is recommended that you get onto SP2 soon as MS will stop supporting SP1 based machines sooner or later. SP1 + all the updates is not the same as SP2!! SP2 has additional fixes in it.

Don't blame you for being skeptical. I don't adopt releases until about 6 months after. Other people can be the guinea pigs! SP2 is 'mature' enough now, so I'd recommend installing it. After taking BACKUPS of course.

[numan]

Cheers OBonio. I do of course back-up the most important bits, but I've got so much stuff - personal, reference, work etc., etc.. Of course, I know I should back the lot up - but we never do, do we? I certainly will make it top of my list now. Thanks again.

[Kerplunk]

So what was wrong with my answer?