Section H.1. Before You Install

H.1. Before You Install

Installing a Service Pack is easy enoughrun Windows Update (which downloads and installs the Pack) or run the update from a Microsoft-supplied CD, then kick back with a good book. (If you're managing a bunch of networked PCs, you don't have to download the Service Pack for each system; instead, you can download a single network version that can update multiple computers on your network.) The process is automatic, if lengthy. But before you install anything, prepare your system. Service Pack 2, for example, includes hundreds of bug fixes, security patches, and a liberal collection of new features, many aimed at making XP a more secure platform. That's laudable, but tweaking an OS to this extent can raise hell (the technical term ) with your applications and peripherals. Older applications and hardware may refuse to run or run erratically; in extreme cases, your PC may not boot up. Many commercial software vendors usually have updates ready when a Service Pack is released; hardware vendors will likewise provide updated drivers and firmware. Among the problematic products for SP2, for example, are versions of ZoneAlarm, Norton GoBack, WordPerfect, and Microsoft's own Virtual PC.

Our most important piece of advice when it comes to Service Packs? Wait. Whatever new patches and features a Service Pack offers, you don't need to install it right now. Wait several weeks until reports from early adopters on software and hardware problems, fresh security holes, and so on, come to light. Even the biggest corporations wait before deploying Service Packs. You should too.

Once you've waitedand key problems with the Service Pack have been identified (and hopefully fixed)take these steps to prepare your machine:

Check your PC's system requirements

If you're already running a version of Windows XP, chances are you can run the Service Pack-modified version of XP. But go to the page devoted to the service pack (such as SP2's at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx) and make sure your version of the OS, and your hardware, are up to snuff. In the case of SP2, your PC must have 1.8 GB of free hard disk space, 64 MB of RAM, and a 233 MHz or faster processor. To check your PC's configuration, open the System Control Panel and click the General tab (see Figure H-1).

Figure H-1. You can see which Service Pack is installed by opening the System control panel and clicking the General tab

Back up your system

Service Pack installations can go awry. Protect your vital data and do a thorough backup before you take the plunge. If you don't have the means of backing up your entire hard disk (say, you only have a CD writer), then a partial backup will do: Back up all your documents, worksheets, presentations, databases, images, templates, macros, MP3s, email address books, in and out boxes, browser bookmarks/favorites, and other configuration files. (For more information on backing up your system, see "Backup".)

Install firmware and driver updates

Major PC vendors often post updated BIOS firmware and new drivers for storage devices, printers, video cards, and other hardware that came with your system. Download and install any updates suggested by the PC vendor for the Service Pack in question. Double-check the peripheral vendor sites directly for updates as well.

Upgrade or replace your utility software

Most applications may run swimmingly under the new Service Pack. But utilities, anti-virus programs, firewalls, and other system level tools may not. (And the new Windows Security Center may not recognize your anti-virus or firewall software until you update them to SP2-compliant versions.) Check with the software vendor for updates specifically tied to the Service Pack you're installing.

Clean that disk!

Before you install any Service Pack, scan your system thoroughly with up-to-date anti-virus and spyware/adware-catching programs. This is good practice in general, and especially when you're upgrading your OS.

Clear disk space

Service Packs are big suckers and they require a lot of space during installation. SP2, for example, needs a minimum of 1.8 GB of free space on your Windows drive. So before the Big Install, clear out old temp files, flush the drive's caches (XP's own Disk Cleanup tool does a good job), empty the trash, and otherwise remove unnecessary files and programs. Then defrag the drive thoroughly. This will boost overall performance and make the Service Pack installation run that much more quickly.