User Guides Fixing Errors caused by Windows XP Updates

Windows update Rollback

We all know that you should always install Critical Updates;theyre vital to protect your computer from known security vulnerabilities.But what happens when you notice something 's gone wrong or want to jut go back in time ?!
The good news is ,to undo a change made by Windows Update ,you can always uninstall a specific download, use Device Driver Roll Back to uninstall a specific driver, or use System Restore to return all system and application settings back to their previous state.
To uninstall update packages

1.Click Start, click Control Panel, and click Add or Remove Programs.
2.Click Change or Remove Programs.
3.Click the Update you wish to remove, and then click Change/Remove.

To roll back drivers

1.Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
2.Double-click the device for which you want to restore the driver.
3.Click the Driver tab, and then click Roll Back Driver.

To use System Restore

1.Click Start, click Help and Support, and then click Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.
How to identify if the update is causing a problem

These three errors should give u a rough hint that the update has jarred with an existing software,and maybe its time to tak action.
error 842242 : Some programs seem to stop working after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2
error 875357 : Troubleshooting Windows Firewall settings in Windows XP Service Pack 2
For programs that exhibit issues on 64-bit-based computers that support the No Execute (NX) technology, the new Data Execution Prevention feature that is included with Windows XP SP2 may be preventing the programs from running correctly.
error 875351 :You receive a "Data Execution Prevention" error message in Windows XP Service Pack 2

For a whole pile of errors that will come up after you install the windows xp service pack 2 ,check out the Release notes for Windows XP Service Pack 2.

After reading the list of programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP SP2-based computer,I found a few surprising names here which included norton and zonealarm among many others.
For client-based and server-based programs that communicate over the Internet or over a network, the new Windows Firewall feature that is included with Windows XP SP2 may be blocking unsolicited connections to your computer. Examples of these types of programs are:
•Multiplayer games and instant message programs that are used over the Internet.
•Windows XP SP2-based client programs that receive data from a server.
•Windows XP SP2-based server programs that respond to client requests.

Removing the Windows XP service pack

But what if u just want to remove the service pack as a whole !? ........Fret not because even if there is only one way to install an update,there are four ways to go remove it.

•Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel
•Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder
•Use the System Restore process
•Use Recovery Console
....The simplest way is the first mwthod.

Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel
1.Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
2.Click to select the Show Updates check box.
3.Click Windows XP Service Pack 2, and then click Remove.
4.Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.
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For all the four methods,click here to go to Microsofts support page for the same.

Getting the Latest Updates and Information from Your PC Manufacturer Before Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2

Before installing a SP, visit your devices Web sites first and search for any information about SP2 that might apply to your computer,it s recommended to get the updates for the device before installing the OS service pack.

SP2 Information from PC Manufacturers
•Acer
•Dell
•Hewlett Packard
•IBM
•Sony

For more manufacturers, click here

Other resources
List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools
The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
Release notes for Windows XP Service Pack 2
 
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