Member Avatar for Cup of Squirrel

Ok, I've had it, SP2 causes more problems than it fixes.

Although, im not quite sure how to uninstall it. My guess is I just go to add/remove progs and select Servie Pack 2 yada yada but i have a terrible vision of it uninstalling more than just SP2...

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Catweazle

Dani AI

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A few practical points to add to the thread: ’s Norton issue and ’s observation that SP2 often highlights pre-existing problems are both common themes. Before committing to a full service-pack removal, try to narrow whether the breakage is caused by SP2 itself or by a third-party component (security suites and low-level network drivers are frequent culprits).

If a full rollback becomes necessary, check the Windows directory for an uninstall set named "$NtServicePackUninstall$" — if that folder exists it contains the service-pack uninstall executable and can be run directly. If the uninstall path fails, a System Restore point dated before the SP2 install is a safer rollback than repeatedly tinkering with files. If neither is available, a repair install from the XP CD is the next step short of a clean format.

Troubleshooting steps that often fix SP2-related symptoms without removing it:

  • Inspect Event Viewer (Application and System) for errors logged at the time problems began to narrow the offending driver/service.
  • Use msconfig to perform a clean boot and re-enable services one at a time to identify conflicts.
  • If networking is affected, reinstall the NIC driver and reset the TCP/IP stack. For TCP/IP reset, run:
    netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
  • For stubborn antivirus/firewall removal issues, use the vendor’s official cleanup/removal tool (Symantec has a Norton removal/cleanup utility) rather than attempting manual deletions.

Caution: uninstalling a service pack can leave system settings changed or drivers mismatched; keep a tested backup or image (as recommended) and be prepared to perform a repair or clean install if the system remains unstable.

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Member Avatar for Dani

EEk. This is why you always do backups ;) Hehe. If I remember correctly, SP2 was pretty darn buggy when it first came out. Theoretically, you should be able to just go to Add/Remove programs, but I wouldn't count on it doing a clean job, especially with something as integral into the operating system. Personally, I wouldn't try it unless you had a nice backup image of your drive you could use. I highly recommend Drive Image, which was formerly by PowerQuest, but I'm pretty sure Symantec recently bought them out.

Member Avatar for dlh6213

Yes, you should at least backup your important files first; a drive image would be a good idea too because things often don't go as planned.

To uninstall SP2, boot into Safe Mode, then remove it with Add/Remove Programs.

Member Avatar for Cup of Squirrel

Hmm if its that risky I wont bother :D I'll just hope microsoft release updates for it anytime soon as I cant uninstall norton. God I hate norton anti-virus....

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Serch the Knowledge Base at Symantec's support section for instructions about uninstalling the program. there are manual removal procedures listed there.

SP2 is not 'buggy'. It's a major sytem overhaul, and if your system has existing problems before it's installed they'll be magnified afterwards, just as they are if you do an 'Upgrade install' over the top of a crappy old OS installation.

If you're having problems after installing SP2, you should accept that either the system install is in a bad state or some of the software you use isn't up to scratch. format and install clean, then install the Service Pack and it'll run perfectly well. No problems ghere with it, and none whatsoever from anyone I know who runs a clean and wel-maintained system!

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