The Verse - Volume 6
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Tech Tips: Windows XP Service Pack 2

According to Ina Fried with CNET News.com, computer users should be careful with Microsoft Windows new update, XP Service Pack 2. "Although Microsoft has recommended consumers turn on Windows' Automatic Update feature to get Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), PC makers are reminding Windows XP users to do their homework before installing the security update."

Major computer makers recommend consumers install the update, but in many cases they also have a list of revised drivers and other software patches that should be installed before downloading and installing the operating system update.

Dell and Hewlett-Packard have warned consumers to check their web sites before installing the update.

A Microsoft representative said that that although the company has been pushing Automatic Update as the easiest way to download SP2, it has been recommending that customers check with their PC maker and other hardware makers to get any necessary driver updates. Microsoft also has its own list of software that may have compatibility issues or may work differently with SP2 as well as a page with links to PC makers' sites.

Experts encourage companies and individuals to compare Microsoft's list of software issues to the list of programs running on any machine being considered for upgrade. An easy way to compare is by checking the "Add/Remove programs" option built into Windows.

Ultimately, companies should adjust to SP2, given both its security benefits and that it will be the standard on new PCs.

Expert opinion says that the benefits of Service Pack 2 far outweigh the small little annoyances of trying to fix the application incompatibilities.

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