Service pack, smervish pack...

[mrtristan]

Just curious. For the other Windows 2000 users out there, what service pack and directx version are you using?

I've been using sp2 and dx8.1, but I recently upgraded to sp4 and dx9.0. I thought it might solve some capturing issues with virtualdub, since mine are related to a directshow filter bug. Since upgrading, IE has become sluggish, and Windows Media Player 9 skips when I play mpeg2 files. There's no problem, if I play them with WinDVD.

I'll probably reformat and go back to sp2 and dx8.1 sometime this week.

[The village idiot]

I fyou use any of the new Adobe software, you will need at least SP3. Acrobat reader excluded.

[pbhalerao]

I am still with Win2K SP2. I have upgraded to DirectX 9.0. Since my computer works fine and I am able to use all the installed products so far, I haven't gone to SP3 or 4.

I think there is an option to unistall the service pack but I never tried it.

[The village idiot]

I only went to a higher service pack becuase of the Adobe software. SP 2 and dx 8.1b were working fine for me.

[stiltman]

On my personal computer, I've always gone to the latest vesions of everything for Win2k....except for my sound card driver, as it seems to be a waste to update it.

My computer at work is SP3 with just the critical updates added.

I see no difference in performance between the two...

Just make sure you have a current backup (I like to use ghost) That way if you don't like something, you can easily go back to what you did like.

[jeex]

i use windows 2000 on my laptop.. when new service packs come out i slipstream them and do a fresh install of windows 2000.. same with xp on my PC.. you might try that if you can afford to format your hdd.

[gmatov]

It really tickles me how you will all say "I" only want the updates "I" want, yet when there is a new worm, virus, trojan, etc., MS is the rotten no good SOB, with a junk OS.

I don't know why MS doesn't put you all on the payroll as Senior Consultants, as you surely know more about the system than they do.

Oh, it is possible you are already highly paid consultants who are just dabbling here.

Sorry, that never occurred to me.

[mrtristan]

Was that directed at someone in particular? Personally, I don't have a problem with Microsoft and I don't think I've ever complained about them on this forum. Windows 2000 is an excellent OS, in my opinion and I haven't found a reason to switch to something else, since using it.

I also liked 98se, after I figured out how to run it on my older computer.

It really tickles me how you will all say "I" only want the updates "I" want, yet when there is a new worm, virus, trojan, etc., MS is the rotten no good SOB, with a junk OS.

I don't know why MS doesn't put you all on the payroll as Senior Consultants, as you surely know more about the system than they do.

Oh, it is possible you are already highly paid consultants who are just dabbling here.

Sorry, that never occurred to me.

[gmatov]

No, actually, you posted a question, and got responses from some who only choose this or that patch,"Well, "I" don't need that one, "I'm" too smart.

Jesus, everybody is condemning MS because they can't keep up with all the attacks on the OS, what, 25 million lines of code, it should run like a Rolex, or a Rolls.

My suggestion; install every patch they put out, even if it's like the one that supposedly introduced another vulnerability. They patched that one the next day.

They ARE trying. Linux is trying, all flavors. Apple is praying they don't target them. True, they don't allow you to know about their OS, no one else writes for them. If you don't know the ports, so I understand, you can't write to the OS.

[jeex]

No, actually, you posted a question, and got responses from some who only choose this or that patch,"Well, "I" don't need that one, "I'm" too smart.

Jesus, everybody is condemning MS because they can't keep up with all the attacks on the OS, what, 25 million lines of code, it should run like a Rolex, or a Rolls.

My suggestion; install every patch they put out, even if it's like the one that supposedly introduced another vulnerability. They patched that one the next day.

They ARE trying. Linux is trying, all flavors. Apple is praying they don't target them. True, they don't allow you to know about their OS, no one else writes for them. If you don't know the ports, so I understand, you can't write to the OS.

i know what you mean.. the folks around here love to bash microsoft.. you'd think they would be smart enough to install patches and updates.. but instead they make new threads and cry about it..

it kinda reminds me of the people who blame everything on "darwinism".. i wish i could kill them and blame it on darwinism..

[flaninacupboard]

Happily running 2000 with no service packs, and DX9.0a
I -nearly- grabbed SP2 amid the fuss, until i read 98 systems aren't affected. We're behind a 98 firewall, and i run a firewall, and no signs of any bugs.

gmatov,
you seem to have a really negative attitude recently. So what if some people choose to not install service packs and patches? I haven't condemned MS, they've done a great job to get their software to the place it is today, and the standardisation you get that a PC will run windows is not much short of a godsend. imagine if there were as many different OS's as say.... the menu you have for adjusting the settings on your TV. i've seen hundreds of different ones! I know you're mature enough to understand this, and that the people who sit and bash MS endlessly just do so because they and their peers find it "cool" to do so.

And at the end of the day, some new drivers and SP's -do- cause problems. that's just a fact.

[pbhalerao]

gmatov,
you seem to have a really negative attitude recently. So what if some people choose to not install service packs and patches? I haven't condemned MS, they've done a great job to get their software to the place it is today, and the standardisation you get that a PC will run windows is not much short of a godsend. imagine if there were as many different OS's as say.... the menu you have for adjusting the settings on your TV. i've seen hundreds of different ones! I know you're mature enough to understand this, and that the people who sit and bash MS endlessly just do so because they and their peers find it "cool" to do so.

And at the end of the day, some new drivers and SP's -do- cause problems. that's just a fact.

Well said. flaninacupboard. I voice the same opinion. Of late gmatov has invariably started personal bashing.

Nobody here was finding faults with MS but gmatov just assumed that we were. What everybody was advising is apply the SP only if required. That is also the opinion of those guys at MS, Oracle, Sun and such big companies.

Software is too huge nowadays. It is impossible to test each and every aspect. At our office we have TEST systems. We always apply the small patch or the big service pack on the TEST system first. Then we test as much as possible. All this testing is AFTER the original testing conducted by the makers of the patch. Only after we are reasonably assured that the patch is safe we apply to our production systems. We have found instances when a patch solves the problem that was reported but created another issue some where else.

If you go back to mrtristan's original question, this is exactly what has happened. Village Idiot's reply is also correct. He had to apply the SP3 because he wanted to use the new Adobe products. My advice was, if you are not facing problems, don't bother about apply service packs.

At home, we do not have luxury of a "TEST" computer. Hence gmatov's suggestion to apply all patches that are released, is not correct.

Cheers,