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@TomC57 wrote:

So can I go to sp2 yet with my kids' 9100s?

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The 9100, I believe uses a Prescott CPU, which has been the source of problems with SP2.  There is suspose to be an BIOS upgrade that solves the problem.  I suggest that you upgrade to BIOS Version A05, before attempting to install SP2.  However since I do not have a Inspiron 9100, I wouldn't bet the farm on my advice.  P.S I did update a PWS 530 and a Inspiron 5000 to SP2 with no problems, but is that significent?

Thanks for the replies.  I'm hoping someone who has a 9100 replies.

I got my 9100 on 8/31/04 and updated it with sp2 a few days later. Disasters resulted (multiple wierd failures) but I was able to uninstall after talking to Microsoft. I researched and found so many suggestions that I ended up following. I double checked with tech support chat (who said update video drivers, mine were the latest so that was okay, and update bios, which was A03) and flashed to A05 bios the day after it was released. I went to this website http://jmfmvps.mvps.org/SP2.htm and followed the checklist and advice for installing sp2, I had my computer all ready before I flashed the bios. 

I cleaned out my prefetch folder and other things suggested in this thread http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_svcpacks&message.id=3227 and used the cd. I am now in day 8 without problems with sp2. Some people have posted that they had problems with the bios but I have had no problems. It seems like some dell support people are still telling people not to upgrade, but I just decided if I got two people saying to upgrade that I would go for it. So far so good.

Message Edited by tbracer44 on 11-13-2004 06:03 PM

Message Edited by tbracer44 on 11-13-2004 06:05 PM

Thanks tbracer44.  My kids update their Norton antivirus whenever they turn on their computers.  They also update and scan with Spy-Bot and Adaware.  I think I may wait a bit before updating to sp2.  Thank you all.

I have a XPS, which I believe is essentially same system as 9100. In any case, I had nightmare issues, installed SP2 and it progressively got worse and worse. Started with the occasional blue screen, and eventually, was literally unable to boot into windows. I did a full backup of all the data on the machine, and did a clean, from scratch, install of XP-SP2 (have another dell d600 that I just purchased) and seemed to work... then, sigh, started getting Blue Screen stop errors as well.

I work in the tech industry and purchased the XPS solely for it's power and capabilities, as I do alot of development, my suggestion would be to wait. I did contact Dell support, and it turned out to be a useless exercise; a full reformat and their next suggestion was to replace the hard drive- both solutions that have essentially no relevance to the real issue surrounding the problem.

Although not really the 'topic' of this thread, it is extremely problematic that, given all the tools and support infrastructure in place that Dell provides, it does not validate that the SP2 works with their systems, even worst, that the "FAQ" does not include a bullet that states "Do not install SP2 unless absolutely necessary, additionally, the following systems x,y,and z, will have issues". The SP2 has been available to Dell for more than 8 months now (Microsoft provides the beta code well in advance to the public release), and to claim to provide support (and even charge a premium, in my particular case) where the solution is "reformat" as a primary solution, is simply unnacceptable.

In any case, I would wait, and honestly, forgo the upgrade unless necessary. If you already have firewall and spyware solutions, the possible issues that can arise far outweigh the benefits, since not only do you run the risk of hardware issues, but other software applications that could prove to have issues with SP2.

My XPS is 3.4 ghz, Radeon 9700, 2 gig of ram, and worked brilliantly prior to SP2.

One other thing- the latest BIOS, A05 released 11/05 (which I understand solves many of the issues, most notiably the processor issue) is supposed to provide relief. I'm currently working abroad and won't be back until next week to see if it resolves the problems.

Message Edited by dslarve on 11-14-2004 05:45 PM

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@dslarve wrote:

My XPS is 3.4 ghz, Radeon 9700, 2 gig of ram, and worked brilliantly prior to SP2.

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I also have the iXPS - it works brilliantly under XP Pro SP2. I had to make a SP2 slipstream CD from the Dell Reinstallation CD ( XP Pro SP1)using these instructions, and reformat/reinstall the OS. Just make sure you burn a CD of all the current updates from the Dell 'downloads' page.

Message Edited by VBdotNet on 11-16-2004 10:00 AM

I have the dell xp-sp2 install disk (it's green, rather than blue), so the creation of the slipstream is essentially already done- however, I didn't pull down the new jre from sun, nor have I updated the bios (which i'm hoping will be the root cause).

Thanks for the link and all the info. Ironic that windows update has issues due to jre- I though that would be fully unnecessary, as they utilize active x, usually you'd get some sort of JS error, (with the little hazard sign in bottom status bar of IE). Anyhow, I'll see how it goes.

To answer Microsofts question (where do you want to go today), my answer is "outside, away from my computer, to spend time with my family, but I can't because of your continual p-poor, untested, and problematic software eats gross amout of my free time". They really need to re-evaluate the architecture that surrounds their OS, but I digress.

Thanks again. 

yes, like you i have a 9100 but with the radeon 9800...and im very scared on this issue. I want to get SP2 just so i can get the updates that are AFTER it, but i've heard several horror stories. I have all the newest driver, bios, and software updates, but am still hesitant. My computer is more secure than microsoft could EVER make it (Ad-aware PLUS, Spybot, Weebroot spysweeper(both personal and enterprise, school made me use the latter), sophos anti-virus, kerio personal firewall, and finally spyware blaster) wow....thats a lot...call me paranoid. And to thiink i freak out when ONE spyware is found lol.

ANYWAY im just afraid to install it so like you i am asking, IS IT SAFE?

I don't want to format or re-install the OS since i would have to back-up my entire system and frankly i don't have anywhere to put 30 GBs of info......