Why not just order the free CD and save yourself the hassle of downloading altogether?  The site says 4-6 weeks, but most folks are receiving them a lot quicker.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/cd/confirm.aspx

I don't have 4 - 6 weeks.   And, if I need to update, it'd have to be from MY computer....which is why I needed a link to download it. 

 

My parents just got their SP2 CD. But they're not ready to install it, as they've heard that there are problems with it. There ARE patches out there to fix the darn thing?

I was told that I'd need to install SP2, before I install my new printer and upgrade its driver. (SP2 does support this printer, as I understand it from the printer's tech support)

lmb59,

Actually, it takes only about one week, but since you have access to a DSL connection, you can download it from here.

Most problems with the SP2 install is not with the service pack but rather, on the computers on which it is being installed. Follow the instructions found HERE and it should go smoothly. As for "patches" for SP2, none are required although, there have been a couple of minor XP updates released since the SP2 went public. Until someone invents the perfect operating system, this will always be the case...

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Denny Denham wrote:
lmb59,

If your parents already have the CD, simply copy it. There's absolutly no reason to download what you already have.

If your printer requires SP2 I am astounded. This would be the first piece of hardware I have ever heard of which is designed to run under an operating system only after a service pack has been installed.

---

They didn't say that my printer requires SP2, just that printer or SP2 supports each other. I could go without, but the upgraded drivers DO require SP2...hence the need for SP2. OY...

AND...

I was planning to get DSL (Qwest) for my computer, BUT~ the tech for the phone company couldn't get the mainline upgraded where I live. To quote the agent: it's not possible to do so now. So I'm probably stuck with slow connection for another 6 months or so.

So now you see my dilemma...?

~lmb59

Message Edited by lmb59 on 12-10-2004 10:26 PM

Message Edited by lmb59 on 12-10-2004 10:27 PM

lmb59,

If your parents already have the CD, simply copy it. There's absolutly no reason to download what you already have.

If your printer requires SP2 I am astounded. This would be the first piece of hardware I have ever heard of which is designed to run under an operating system only after a service pack has been installed.

In order to upgrade to SP2~ I will also need to upgrade my BIOS? (I think I have A04 or A06--not sure) The latest is A11. There's also another avenue if I don't want to flash my BIOS, is to download this file: KB885626. (I only have Intel 3) Am I correct that I can use either configuration before I upgrade to SP2?

thanks.

lmb59,

Your parents have the SP2 CD, so you don't have to download it, regardless of the speed of your Internet connection. I don't believe there is a necessity to upgrade your BIOS before installing SP2. If your present BIOS supports XP it should support XP SP2. You can check the available FlashBIOS updates to see if any of them specifically states that one of its features is that it enables your system to operate SP2.

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 12-10-2004 10:17 PM

lmb59,

You can also check whether this problem will occur by downloading an Intel utility described in the Knowledge Base article:

To determine whether your computer uses an Intel Pentium 4 or Intel Celeron D processor that is based on Prescott C-0 stepping and a BIOS that does not provide the required production support, follow these steps:

1. Create a startup disk by downloading a startup-disk version of the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility. To download this program, visit the following Intel Web site:

2. Start your computer by using the startup disk you created in step 1.
3. On the CPUID Data tab, review the specifications for your computer. Computers that are affected by this issue have the following specifications:

• CPU Family value of F.
• CPU Model value of 3.
• CPU Stepping value of 3.
• CPU Revision value of 3, 2, 1, or 0.

For more information about this issue, visit the following Intel Web site:

Message Edited by jimw on 12-10-2004 11:51 PM