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Yes Sir!

Nothing wrong with SP2... 99% of the SP2 problems stem from AV being run while the update is being applied, an overclocked system which SOME PEOPLE think they can run while installing O/S and updates like that - OR - they did not reboot SEVERAL times after running the SP2 update and it was buggered because they went directly to making settings changes and cleaning out temp files before it had the chance to finish installing.

SP2 introduces a few new services and resets a few things that need to be turned off to recover the memory and CPU cycles the items suck, and that is why low memory systems may see a performance difference however once the junk has ben shut down, SP2 provides a FASTER platform for gaming.

Running the DX9 web update once every 3 months is also important. Many do not realize their DX9 is not up to date and it will install updated files based on finding SP2!


There is nothing wrong with SP2.

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After installing SP2, reboot the system at least 3 times waiting about 5 minutes between the reboots once it returns to the desktop.

After that is complete, got DIRECTLY to Windows Update and install ALL the SP2 and critical updates, reboot as it instructs... THEN RETURN to Windows Update... it may take as many as 4 returns to Windows Update to get all the updates for SP2

Once your finished at Windows Update, go to the Direct X website and dowload the latest Web Updater.. and run it

Reboot and your all set

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...sounds like an excellent idea to me, Woody, to save all that faffing about with Uncle Bill and his bleedin' SP 2 malarkey... ...!

Come back home Steve......!

LOL...!

Paul.... 8)...!

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Its really a shame the XP firewall has gotten such a bad rep from a combination VIRTUAL PARANOIA and ignorance because of lack of education in networking/software firewall technology. That firewall is all that is needed along with a Hardware NAT firewall provided by a Linksys or other router. This bit about running 3rd party firewall software on top of everything else is just plain Bull droppings and does nothing but PREY on paranoia by having boxes pop up saying"OH MY GOD.,.. YOUR SENDING A SIGNAL TO THE INTERNET!!!"

tOOO FUNNY and very sad. Additional firewal software kills performance even if you shut it down with some of them.

I use the Windows firewall and a Linksys Router... Never been hit and never will be.  Not worried about it even being on a 10000KB/s dedicated line.

The RIGHT AV and Spyware scanner software, run MANUALLY once a month does the rest.

NOD32 is the best because it integrates into the browser for max protection ... but it costs.

Shut down all AV and scanner software before installing SP2.


EDIT: Recap from above...


After installing SP2, reboot the system at least 3 times waiting about 5 minutes between the reboots once it returns to the desktop. 

After that is complete, got DIRECTLY to Windows Update and install ALL the SP2 and critical updates, reboot as it instructs... THEN RETURN to Windows Update... it may take as many as 4 returns to Windows Update to get all the updates for SP2

Once your finished at Windows Update, go to the Direct X website and dowload the latest Web Updater.. and run it

Reboot

===========

Once SP2 is completely installed with ALL the updates from Winders Update... I start the security center and under the "change how security center alerts me" disable it completely.


NEXT:
CONTROL PANEL – SYSTEM PROPERTIES

Under the Automatic Updates Tab:
Bullet in NEVER, click APPLY.  

NOTE: You need to add to your maintenance routine a reminder to go to Windows Update manually and check for CRITICAL updates and install them. (In the browser, select TOOLS – WINDOWS UPDATE) Only install critical updates unless you know what you are doing with the driver updates and extra Windows offerings.

The automatic system runs in the background, takes up resources and in my opinion does nothing for you.  

If you would rather have the automatic system, skip the above.

REMOTE TAB:
UNCHECK “Allow Remote Assistance” and “Allow Users to connect Remotely” Click APPLY

ADVANCED TAB:
ERROR REPORTING button, DISABLE ERROR REPORTING, everything else CLEARED, click OK

Performance - SETTINGS button UNCHECK ALL ITEMS EXCEPT the following:

Show windows content while dragging
Smooth edges of screen fonts
Use common tasks in folders <-- Optional, I use this but you can deselect
Use drop Shadows for Icon labels on the desktop <--Optional, I use this but you can deselect
Use Visual styles on Windows Buttons

The above settings will keep windows looking sharp but without the memory drain.  

Click APPLY... under the ADVANCED TAB in that same box: MAKE SURE BOTH AREAS ARE SET TO: PROGRAMS, if not change them to PROGRAMS and click APPLY then OK to close the box.

I then shutdown the following services in the service list:

CONTROL PANEL – ADMINISTRATION TOOLS – SERVICE

Each service I list below has the exact same procedure to shutting it down. All you have to do is the following to each service on the list:

1. Double click the service.  

2. STARTUP TYPE: change it to DISABLED, click APPLY.  

3. LOGON TAB: HARDWARE PROFILE BOX – double click your hardware profile and it should change the login under the SERVICE column to DISABLED, click APPLY and OK.

4. Go to the next service and repeat the process

Here is the list: (note: some of these may not appear in your service list)

ALERTER
ATI HOTKEY POLLER (if you use a ATI card)
CLIPBOOK
ERROR REPORTING SERVICE
(THIS ONE IS OPTIONAL, I DON’T USE IT) HELP AND SUPPORT
INDEXING SERVICES
MESSENGER (this is not MSN)
NETMEETING REMOTE DETECT
NETWORK DDE
NETWORK DDE DSDM
PERFORMANCE LOGS AND ALERTS
REMOTE REGISTRY
ROUTING AND REMOTE ACCESS
SECURITY CENTER (only removes the nag, not security)
TELNET (SOME PROGRAMS MIGHT NEED THIS BUT I DON’T USE IT)

REBOOT


Then do the following:

NEXT:
It’s time to clean up your hard drive and use defrag software . Find and delete everything out of the following folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR ACCOUNT NAME\Local Settings\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR ACCOUNT NAME\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
C:\Windows\Prefetch  
C:\Windows\Temp

There may be files that will refuse to delete. If that happens note the file names and let me know what they are. If that does happen and the delete operation is halted, you can select all and while holding the CTRL key deselect the file(s) that refused to delete which should continue the operation. Repeat that process until you get rid of all the files in those folders. Try rebooting and deleting the stubborn files but if they just won’t delete report the leftover file names to me. They could be Trojans or viruses. Usually they are harmless such as windows defrag data files.  

Empty the recycle bin, then right click it, select PROPERTIES and select "USE ONE SETTING FOR ALL DRIVES" set the slider to 1-2%, I use 1% but I have HUGE drives. Its up to you but dont set it over 3%

Click APPLY

The Windows XP Performance counters are not needed unless you are a network junkie and use them… here is how to shut them down and recover CPU cycles:

Download this package from Microsoft:  

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7ff99683-b7ec-4 da6-92ab-793193604ba4&DisplayLang=en

Run the installer: exctrlst_setup.exe

Once installed you will have no shortcut to the tool… simply browse to:

C:\Program Files\Resource Kit

Double click the file: exctrlst.exe

A box will appear. Make sure there is a bullet in “SERVICE”

There is a list of services showing in the lower pane of the box, slimply click the top service in that list to HIGHLIGHT IT and CLEAR the check OUT OF THE BOX labled “Performance Counters Enabled”

Scroll down the list and repeat the highlight\uncheck until EVERY SERVICE in that list displays a cleared check, ... verify you got them all then close the box



You just killed the WINDOWSxp background CPU sucker


Defrag the disk... but you may want to do more to get your system even cleaner before defraging, especially the boot system. I suggest this thread for a complete rundown on how to clean up the system for optimal performance:

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=COF;action=display;num=115...

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If you want I can post a list of settings/proceedures that will lock your system up so tight, no hacker would wast time screwing with it even if they found an open port to work with.

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I would enable it... but it will enable automatically with SP2


SP2 is actually needed for maximum Windows Security, without it you are definitely open to attack no matter what you are running for security and Firefox does NOT make it safer.

That's another story I wont get into right now.

I will post a complete security list when I have time, right now I am at my office and cannot spend the time on it but I will post it some time this evening. Once implemented you will be more secure than than Queen Guinevere surrounded by the knights of the round table.

All you need to do is make sure you visit Winders update once a month for the critical updates, nothing else.

So much useful hints! Thanks a lot Nick!
My only (personal) prob is,there are some things that i´m not shure about cause my knowledge of the english language is still quite like a Black Hole.I hope i´ll find someone to translate into german language.

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\And realise that your running a Vista looking Unix PC.

Cheers
Cameron