uninstalling winxp sp2 beta?

[ade099]

hey all,
i was wondering if any of you installed and uninstalled winxp sp2. i believe i tried the beta and found some strange p2p errors. that sucked so i wanna uninstall it. however, i can kick myself (and you guys can kick me too) for not archiving my system files. i dont have the option to add/remove sp2 from my add/remove programs list (even when i show microsoft updates, sp2 is absent). i've since dumped the install file and i dont think they have that version up anymore (i think it's on rc2 right now) and i couldnt install sp1 over sp2. any ideas? i'd really hate to reinstall xp.
tia!

-a

 

[gpalmer711]

Do a In-Place Upgrade of Xp by following instructions at

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=315341

This will leave all your files and settings intact but reset Windows to the updates as of the date of your CD Release.

Meaning you will have to reinstall Windows Updates.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[ade099]

ah buggers. well, i guess this'll hafta do then much obliged.

-a

 

[bcastner]

For others:

. Beta releases are not general public releases; I have not idea where Forum member ade099 obtained his, but the Beta instructions were very clear that you do not use this one a production machine; and that the next release would require the removal prior to installing the next release.

. This is still the official policy for the RC or "Release Candidate" versions anyone can obtain and install:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx

. This will also be the official policy if going from RC2 to "Final".

. I have had mixed results with an in-place upgrade from RC1 to RC2, so I suggest the "official" advice to uninstall is a good one. In most cases an in-place upgrade worked without issue, but not always.

. When SP2 goes final, the "official" advice is to uninstall the Release Candidates, then install Final.

To answer as best I can some broader issues about Service Pack 2:

Note: More questions are answered on the often changing site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx

1. Deployment: Should be similar to service pack 1 in Domain settings. If you do not have Service Pack 1, Service Pack 2 is cumulative. I.E., you do not need Service Pack 1 or 1a installed previously.

2. What about a dodgy OS install? If there were any tricks required to install Service Pack 1, Microsoft has more tricks planned to bar you from Service Pack 2. Any legitimate license should have no issue, or call them to resolve the problem. Anything dodgy about the license will find this Serice Pack an impossible install. Microsoft makes no apologies about this: If you are legit the pack will fit. They are tightening the product activation service for this release.

3. Is it worth it? The changes that are the "big" deal are of substantial consumer benefit: all encompassed by the Security Center. But you need to run the Network Install method in Verbose (/v) mode to appreciate just how much of the OS is being replaced.

Yes, it is worth it.

4. Are there issues? Yes. But having read nearly every section of the BETA and Release Candidate comment forums nearly every day for several months, I would say the issues are fairly small compared to Service Pack 1. And nearly always there is a workaround. (Note the: nearly always).

Would my particular issue with hardware item xxx, or software yyy, be resolved quickly? Probably not at the moment. Your best bet would be a forum for those with the same hardware/software. For third-party antivirus and firewall tools, expect immediate answers on final release.

There will be some pain, just as with Service Pack 1, but Microsoft has done a fairly decent job of testing in this case.

5. Would you roll this out to every clinet workstation? Good question. I intend to for any workstation that had no issue with Service Pack 1.

Otherwise, not. I intend to replace those workstations.

6. And "Longhorn", will this help? Good question. It is unlikely the existing hardware you now have will be the platform that you want for Longhorn when it becomes available. Stay with XP Pro Service Pack 2 until you can buy something else.

Hope these thoughts help,
Bill Castner

 

[linney]

You can use System Restore to return to the version of service pack you had before you installed your present one.

 

[bcastner]

linney,

For service pack BETA or Release Candidates I really would not depend on system restore.

I believe you are correct that it SHOULD work. But I would rather use the formal process of:

. agreeing to the Add/Remove applet reversal (you are asked if you want to save your settings);
. Using Control Panel's Add/Remove to reverse the install

Why?

I am concerned the system restore point would age, and not be available. System Restore is a FIFO process. Agreeing to the Add/Remove reversal is agelesss. At least at the moment, when Service Pack 2 becomes final it will require the removal of any Release Candidate. Disk space is cheap enough that this seems a reasonable way to handle SP2 as a release candidate.

If Service Pack 2 was final, I would tend to agree with you, (which you know breaks my heart to do).

Bill

 

[linney]

This was just a one off solution for "ade099's" particular situation. From personal experience System Restore works well (if done before the SP1 restore point gets too old and vanishes).

There are two ways of looking at replacing Beta service packs. Do you trust the beta uninstall routine or do you trust the beta system restore routine.

Safest of all would be a drive image backup closely followed by a repair installation from the original CD.

 

[ade099]

thanks for the input guys
the repair installation didnt seem to work too well - computer just sat there for a while idling. so i opted for a fresh install..which meant i had to reinstall all my software..which is what i wanted to avoid. oh well. that's ok though. c'est la vie, eh?

-a

 

[bcastner]

No. The uninstall works, I have done it several times as a fastitous first step to a new install.

Linney offered using System Restore in the alternative. While I have reservations about depending on this (see above) it will work.

A repair/upgrade install would preserve your data and programs,

http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp&NoWebContent=1

The absolutely last thing to do is what you did: a clean reinstall of XP.

 

[linney]

My only experience with attempting a repair installation of a SP2 RC2 system and using the original XP CD (non SP1) was to hit the wall at the Installing Devices stage with a Bad_Pool_Caller error with no way around other than a reformat and re-install from the original CD followed immediately by the SP2 RC2 update (bypassing SP1).

 

[bcastner]

SP2 RC2 (and above) obviates the need for Service Pack 1. As for the original mess (an inplace upgrade of an RC2 with a non-SP1 CD), I have little sympathy.

 

[linney]

Neither it appears would Microsoft. Take into consideration the vast numbers of XP users who purchased their XP in the period 2001 - 2002 without and pre SP1.

These may be banished from the option to repair their system after upgrading to SP2.

The understanding of being able to repair an SP1 installation with the original XP CD (then reinstalling SP1 + updates) is a well worn path. Is it not reasonable to expect the same opportunity when using the above process to repair a SP2 installation?

When does the original XP CD lose it's ability to perform a repair?

Sympathy is not required when testing scenarios for possible later use in this forum. This is just a one off test and as such nothing relevant can be learned from it other than the fact it did occur. It may never happen again, or it may become a problem.

Either way the ability to repair SP2 with an original XP CD is imperative and necessary.

 

[bcastner]

I politely disagree.

You create a slipstream for Service Pack 1 or now 2. This is what you carry in your kit.

If you just follow the normal install for Service Pack 1, 1a or RC2, then a directory is created for the changed files.

An sfc /Scannow can find those files.

The notion that you can repair an RC2 machine with the original CD of XP of files dated 1986 strikes me as silly.

MSFT encourages you to slipstream Service Pack 1 or 1a. The only reservation on Service Pack 2 is that it is not final. Once final, slipstream your XP CD. I certainly intend to do this.

But linney raises another issue: by a repair/upgrade install, am I not starting at ground zero? Why should there be an issue with RC2 having been installed previosly?

Answer: if you do the network dowload and run the thing with the /verbose switch, you will begin to appreciate how many core files for XP are replaced in Service Pack 2.

My own opinion, SP2 replaces nearly every core file in the OS. It no longer is XP (out of the box), but XP reloaded. Trying to revert at that point is not wise. A full uninstall of RC2, a reboot to the original CD seems to me possible.

When Service Pack 2 becomes Final, slipstream.
Prior to that, do a clean install.

 

[bcastner]

Darn.

I rarely disagree with member linney, not because of any fear of him, but because he is a smart guy and I have had little cause to disagree.

I misread liney's concern above, and apologize.

When Service Pack 2 is final, you should do it. It is really that darn good.

Having said that, for those with "Recovery" partitions, Recovery CDs, immediately begin calling the Tech Support lime for the vendor.

I hope the COMPAQ and HP and other vendors using Recovery partitions and CDs hear from you 15 times a day.

I have no clean idea how to do Service Pack 2 in this instance, and linney has a more then fair complaint.

 

[linney]

I am glad there is a thread in this forum where concerns and disagreements can be aired concerning SP2. I thank "ade099" for providing the catalyst.

What "Bcastner" says makes sense (especially the bit about linney being smart) that old files cannot repair or upgrade the later SP2 versions. I eagerly await Microsoft's position on the matter.

I do however think it a bit unfair if they expect everybody to have versions of XP with SP1 or 1a pre-installed before they can repair SP2. I don't think more than a few (relatively speaking) would be able to easily slipstream anything into the original XP CD, neither should they be expected to do so.

 

[bcastner]

sigh,

Service Pack 2 issues.

Member linney has a fair complaint: what to do you do for older machines, particularly if they offer only a Restore partition or CD.


. You start by complaining to the OEM. COMPAQ and HP need to hear from you;

. Download and install the network version of Service Pack 2.

, When SP2 goes final, I will post hrere slipstream instructions.