Each time I install SP2 on my PC, it freezes at intervals, showing some straight lines across the screen.  Even when I loaded Windows XP professional, with service pack 2 already integrated into it, I continued having the same problems.  I have formatted and re-formatted this PC so many times, and after installing SP2, the same problem arises again.

What could be the problem?  Is there any solution to this?  Or is my PC just incompatible with SP2, and I should forget about installing it?  

NB.  The XP currently running on this PC does not even have a service pack.  I am scared of installing any (either SP1 or SP2) to prevent the loss of a bunch of important files, programs and software I have on this PC; since I will have to format the hard drive if I experience the problem again.  But then, some programs cannot run on this PC because I don't have SP2 e.g. IE7, Windows Defender, Windows Media Player 11 (Beta), etc.

Guys, please help a brother here.

take your pc to a professional or get a new one.

@goodguy,could be a memory problem if u're getting straight lines across the screen and its hanging. change the memory card.

Try using a different graphics card (recommended) or updating the driver of the current one you're using.

gentleone:

@goodguy,could be a memory problem if u're getting straight lines across the screen and its hanging. change the memory card.

I had 256MB of RAM on it.  I just added another 128MB RAM to it last week, making it a total of 368MB (with 16MB shared), though I haven't installed any service pack yet.  I am thinking of reformatting the PC again as soon as I get a 1GB flash drive of my own (I have loads of files and softs on this pc); so I'll try installing SP2 and see if it'll work.  Thanks anyway for your advice.

Seun:

Try using a different graphics card (recommended) or updating the driver of the current one you're using.

Is graphics card the same as VGA card?

yo goodguy, when u reformatted ur pc, did u install the updates from the microsoft website cus u can't just install service pack 2 without installing updates that were made b4 they created sp2. And then u said u installed more memory, u should have added another 256 MB and not the one u said u added cus then the system would not be able 2 run on dual channel mode, i hope u get wat i am saying but if u don't its all good, get a new system

vokal_guy:

yo goodguy, when u reformatted your pc, did u install the updates from the microsoft website cus u can't just install service pack 2 without installing updates that were made before they created sp2.

Yes, I did the first time. But in susbsequent re-formattings, I just installed SP2 straight on, but all yielded the same result.

vokal_guy:

And then u said u installed more memory, u should have added another 256 MB and not the one u said u added cus then the system would not be able 2 run on dual channel mode, i hope u get what i am saying but if u don't its all good, get a new system

Well, since i added the 128MB RAM, it's been okay so far. The PC even boots faster than before now, and I haven't had any freezing problems with it.

I should reformat the system soon. I am still waiting for some things to be in order first of all. BTW, I am also considering installing Windows Vista this time around. Any suggestions/comments concerning that?

goodguy:

Yes, I did the first time. But in susbsequent re-formattings, I just installed SP2 straight on, but all yielded the same result.
Well, since i added the 128MB RAM, it's been okay so far. The PC even boots faster than before now, and I haven't had any freezing problems with it.

I should reformat the system soon. I am still waiting for some things to be in order first of all. BTW, I am also considering installing Windows Vista this time around. Any suggestions/comments concerning that?

Goodguy, if u just install sp2 without the updates, i'm sorry dude, ur pc will not function well, u see the memory u added was good but vista runs on a minimum of 512 MB of memory, A modern processor (at least 800MHz1) and A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable. So i guess if ur pc meets that standard, get ready for vista , its gonna be relseased in January 07

Thanks man. But I've been seeing PC's with lower requirements and have vista running on them. It'll be released in January 07? What about the ones I've been seeing here in naija, at computer villa to be precise?

lol well my friend, vista will run alright but according to microsoft, for you to really enjoy ur experience wit vista, u have to have at least the minimum requirements, and thats wat i posted, i mean i have installed xp on a windows 98 laptop, i have tried all these things, it worked but dude it was slow,

Okay. . so you were saying something about the release date, right?

Check ur RAM. that is sign of memory problem.

Thanks. I'll get back to you guys when next I format this pc.

You're lucky
I tried to download SP2 from http://download.microsoft.com and their links are f##ked up.
You even have SP2. I won't mind swapping my computer with yours

Tayo

Ever since I migrated to Linux, I've not had major problems. But then I'm just making noise. . .

What do you need SP2 for?

ajiboyet,

I don't have SP2.  Each time I install, it frezeez my pc, which usually forces me to reformat the PC.  But since I have added another memory to it, I haven't formatted it so I don't know if SP2 will work on it with the added 128MB RAM, since I haven't bothered installing it again.

By the way, have you tried downloading from Softpedia.com?

Chxta:

What do you need SP2 for?

For these same reasons, and more. =====>

thebadguy:

But then, some programs cannot run on this PC because I don't have SP2 e.g. IE7, Windows Defender, Windows Media Player 11 (Beta), etc.

Instead of IE7, use Firefox. Instead of WinDefender, use Zone Alarm. Instead of WMP11, use Jet Audio. You wouldn't need SP2

I can't even find a correct link to download it, not to talk of installing it. That's what I mean when I say their links are f##ked

ajiboyet, have you checked the link I included in my post?

chxta, thanks. But I have my preferences.

@chxta

Mine also isn't about the browser. it's about a vb download as i said earlier

Download SP2 here:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Windows-XP-SP2-RTM.shtml

thebadguy's link should work ajiboyet. . .

Gosh!
I'm scaredy scaredy scared of any dangerous stuff
If anything happens to my computer I'll hold thebadguy and chxta responsible (joke)

Tayo