[Michelle and Richard]

I know this is off topic but I know how important computers are to us all at the moment.

We had the misfortune to open this to have a look and before we knew it had crashed our computer. Check very carefully if its compatable or if you even need it.

We hadn't backed up for ages so learnt a very hard lesson.

Have lost all our e mail contact details for NZ, CV's etc.

Michelle

[Woz]

This can be a common problem when MS Ship new operating systems or big service packs like SP2. The following is the best advice I can offer from lots of experience with MS over the years.

For service packs, leave your upgrade for 3-4 months after the release of the pack. This lets everyone else have the problems. MS then fix the issues and its then safe to update.

When they release a new operating system wait until the first service pack is out before you change to the new OS. Again this lets them get rid of all the problems.

One final note... In Control Panel->System go to the Automatic updates tab and DISABLE it. With it enabled it will download patches in the background and then just install them when it feels like it which can stuff your system leaving you to wonder why. Just make sure to do the updates yourself every few weeks or so.

[Michelle and Richard]

Thanks Woz,

Will do as you suggest, still have no computer though at the moment.

Michelle

[steve netwriter]

Hi,

I have looked at the idea of downloading SP2, but the MS site must be jammed with other users, as I can't even get it to recognise my existence!
I noticed one useful-looking article about the perils of trying to download SP2,
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6264_11-5322633.html
and today I noted that comdirect was warning its clients that those who have downloaded SP2 seem to have problems logging on to the comdirect website - they suggest disabling the auto-update feature of Help and Support (as I had already done) and if necessary deleting SP2 using Add/Remove programs.

A right mess, by the sound of it!!

My advice - lets others test it first :cool

Cheers

Steve

[Michelle and Richard]

A week later and missing all our e mails we are back with our much missed computer, Yeahhhhhhh.

SP 2 was installed via a disk and with the help of a great mate who knows a thing or two about computers.

My advice is do not download via a server as this seems to be the root of all our problems. Oh and back up, obvious but easy to forget.

Michelle

[Tara Sage]

Welcome back michelle, computers are great WHEN they work properly I am not a computer wizz by any means and It drives me crazy when stuff goes wrong. :uhoh