Looks like some computers are locking up after install of XP SP2
Those with certain prescott CUP's will lock up. Some BIOS will not operate with the windows update. WE just saw one here and the answer was to update the BIOS on the motherboard. This was not as easy as it should be.
What is the problem?
Normally, Windows XP will run whether the BIOS updates Prescott's microcode, or just leaves it at Revision 0. But the new Update.sys installed as part of XP Service Pack 2 will hard lockup the PC if Prescott's microcode is left below Revision 8 (or for some Prescott steppings, Revision 7). There are two ways; one that allows you to uninstall SP2 and carry on as if nothing had happened, and another that lets you keep SP2, with one file out of use.
Disable Level 1 and Level 2 cache in CMOS
This will leave the system running so slowly, you will often think it's crashed! Have faith; XP will load fine, and you will be able to go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and uninstall Service Pack 2 from there.
Expect this to take some hours; when it's done, shut down the PC. On the next boot, go back into CMOS setup (the magic keys to do that vary between PCs; Del, Ctl+Alt+Esc, Ctl+Alt+S, F1, F2 and F10 are good guesses), find your way to where you disabled the Level 1 and 2 cache last time, enable these again, save settings and quit.
Posted by Jeff Green (Member # 3508) on :
yikes... that is all i gotta say.... yikes
personally, I still have not updated any of the work computers and really hesitant on updating my own computer.
anyone else take the plunge?
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Currently, there is nothing wrong with my machine so I see no need to update to SP2. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Besides, all the stuff I've heard about SP2 scares the bejeebers out of me.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
I'm with you Chris...I have done some of the past updates and now XP is running just fine. I'm gonna leave it that way.
Posted by William Bass (Member # 4929) on :
What's SP2 do? Besides a little more protection from viruses? My Norton's Internet Security seems to do a real nice job (nice program...includes a firewall, anti-virus, parental control, and some other thing [which I forget right now]). Unless someone can tell me what Norton's cant do that sp2 can, I might not bother with the upgrade either. Ditto Kissy..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
On the other hand...Curtis, how old is your computer? Do you know about the other bad reports? How old are those computer? I bought mine just a month ago. Perhaps it would be trouble-free for me, in which case...i'd be tempted to do the upgrade. HP, my computer's manufacturer (or distributor, at least) is supposed to have a bulletin about this subject. I havent read it, but I will now that I've heard that there are serious problems.
thanks for the heads up.
[ September 01, 2004, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: William Bass ]
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
The Prescott chip is a new chip. Some version of it willl not be out until November..
Personally I don't have any problems with XP. I only use the hotfixes. I avoid SP2 bcause I don't need any of what it offers.
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Chances are you won't hit a glitch, but if you do it could be a bi*ch.
Microsoft has published a utility for corporate customers to prevent the XP2 upgrade from installing SP2 blocker How's that for faith in the product.
I think I'll sit tight behind my firewall/router with my latest version of Kaspersky Anti-virus, and wait for service pack 3 which will hopefully fix service pack 2.
[ September 01, 2004, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: TransLab ]
Posted by Jeff Green (Member # 3508) on :
and then the service pack 4 to fix three (by that point we all would be wishing to go back to 2), and then the new windows that will fix xp, and we will start this all over again....
now imagine if we started selling signs like this....
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Software companies seem to be the only businesses on this planet that can continually screw up, release crappy product, yet STILL keep their customers.
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
Oh, how we all yearn for good old DOS. Nice black screen, white letters. Maybe punch cards or COBOL? It's progress guys. Yes there will be hiccups along the way, but we always seem to get through them. Not all systems will have a problem, and some will have major crashes. Remember the days when you had to call tech support for Windows, and they would claim it was a hardware problem? Remember the hardware vendor, claiming it was the software? It's gotten a LOT better. Look what we can do now. I'm talking to you on a screen without figuring out how to send a file or FTP! It's amazing! So we are slightly inconvenienced, for the major conveniences that we will soon appreciate "flawlessly".
Posted by John Thomas (Member # 2854) on :
Just my 2 cents. I did update my HP XP with XP'S SP2. That was a mouth full, and I had no problems. The update is for part of MS and part of the great code they have that was leaked out into the real world so ppl could get into your computers. Well it has a few good things it blocks a lot of the popups from some sites,it also updates your security on you email outlook that is. It works great and yes it has a build in firewall that is better than some of the free ones. I also work on computers and have played with the new updates they work otay as of now.
Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
Hey stickerpimp, you forgot about Weather forecasters, theyre allowed to be wrong most of the time and still be gainfully employed at exhorbitant wages.
I think I am going to wait a month or two longer on this SP2 to see what happens.
Posted by Scott Pagan (Member # 2507) on :
i installed sp2 last week and after it was complete i did notice a slowdown in the normal running speed. my computer is fairly new (amd 1800+, 512 ram) so i was surprised to see such a performance hit. i rolled it back to pre-sp2 and was back in business at normal speed. i feel i do a pretty good job of "doing the right things" to keep my computer safe so i too will pass on any further updates untill i hear of better results on the patches.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
We just ordered 2 new custom computers and requested XP Pro. I wonder if they will automatically install that service pack or if the XP Pro software purchased today already has it included. Anybody know?
[ September 07, 2004, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: Bill Diaz ]
