A service pack is like a patch — it contains changes to software on your computer — but it's actually a collection of patches (as well as other changes) rolled into a major package and installed all at once.
Service packs can be found and installed using Windows Update, and you can also download them from the Microsoft Web site, but they're not available in Automatic Updates.
Microsoft creates service packs for Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and other products.
If you're diligent about security patches, then you'll want to know that quite often a service pack includes some security patches you've already installed on your computer. Don't worry — your computer knows what to do.
When installing service packs, keep these pointers in mind:
If you have an important deadline that you need to meet using your computer, finish your work first. Service Pack installation takes a long time — and it can probably wait. In the meantime, to protect yourself, you can install the most critical individual security patches if you must.
Back up all your important files first.
Reboot your computer after the service pack is installed.
Read all available information about the service pack on Microsoft's Web site. Because service packs often modify program features, it's a good idea to be familiar with what changes you can expect.
Give yourself plenty of time. Service packs can take a very long time to download (as long as several hours), particularly if you have a dial-up connection.
Don't be too anxious to install a brand-new service pack. Once in a great while, there is some problem associated with service packs. If you discover that a new service pack has been created, wait a week or two if you can. Any problems are usually identified and fixed in that period of time.
Make sure you have plenty of disk space. Service packs in some cases require 10 MB, 20 MB, or even 50 MB of space. If your computer is really low on space, the service pack installation may fail (the service pack installation program checks available space, but it may not be foolproof). But even if the service pack installation is successful, you don't want to be left with too little free space. This can make it hard for you to work with your files; and when a Windows computer has less than 5 percent of available free space, it begins to get grumpy and slooooooooows down. Operating systems are fragile enough under ideal conditions, and it's not a good idea to stress them out.
To find the amount of free disk space in Windows 2000 and Windows XP, double-click on My Computer, right-click on your desired disk, and click Properties. Click the General tab to view the disk-space information.
After you install the service pack, reboot the computer and try things out to see if things work the same as before.
The procedure for installing service packs is exactly the same as that for patches, whether you install them using Windows Update if you download them from the Microsoft Web site. Just be prepared for the installation to take quite a while.
Unlike patches, you must have your original CDs to complete the installation of a service pack for Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003. If you can't find your original CDs, you won't be able to install the service pack!
0 comments:
แสดงความคิดเห็น