Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2

Problems have been reported when updating Windows XP to Service Pack 2 (SP2) on systems infected with spyware or adware (most often without the knowledge or consent of the computer's operator). Before installing SP2, you must run a utility that will identify and remove installed spyware and adware such as Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Professional. Failure to do so can result in your system becoming unusable.

To install Ad-Aware, click on your Start button and navigate through Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, and select the Add New Programs icon. Highlight Ad-Aware SE Professional and click the Add button.

When the installation is complete, you'll find the program by clicking Start > All Programs > Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Professional. When you first start the software, you'll be prompted to update Ad-Aware Definitions. Please do so by clicking the OK button. You will be prompted to Configure or Connect. If your computer can reach the internet already, there's no need to configure. Updates will run and the following window will appear:

Select the Scan Now button, select the scan mode Perform Smart System Scan, then click the Next button.

Allow the software to run. When the scan is complete, you'll see Finished under the Current Operation heading. Click the Next button. You'll see a detailed list of objects found on the Critical Objects tab. After you've reviewed them, select the Scan Summary tab. Put a check in the checkboxes and click Next. You'll be warned that selected objects will be removed. Click the OK button.

This example shows that threats found are only negligible; your scan may show much more information.

Once the cleanup is complete, you can close Ad-Aware.

Now you're ready to install Service Pack 2 on your Windows XP machine. Close all open programs.

Click the Start button, then navigate through All Programs, JLAB - CUE, Client Installed Programs and select WinXP_SP2 Install. The Windows XP Service Pack Installation Wizard will open. You'll be prompted to start the Wizard by clicking the Next button, then prompted to accept the license agreement, then start the install with a third Next button.

If you encounter an error message indicating that you do not have administrative rights on your computer, please contact the Help Desk for assistance installing Service Pack 2. (Email helpdesk@jlab.org anytime or telephone x7155 between 1:30 and 4:30 weekday afternoons.)

Once you click the last Next button, the installation process will take between 30 and 75 minutes, depending on the speed of your network card and current traffic on the JLab network.

After the installation has downloaded and installed, you will be prompted to reboot.

Things you should know: Service Pack 2 includes thousands of lines of code designed to improve security on Windows computers. There will be noticable changes to some functions and there are additional functions added with this Service Pack.

This document is maintained by {helpdesk@jlab.org}