The main issue for [Win XP] SP2 is that there are a lot of intermediate files being overwritten (.DLLs etc) that indirectly influence already installed programs. The problem: application "X" modifies some Windows APIs by offering a specific version .DLL of the same name, but different date/revision level as a Windows-supplied .DLL. Now the service pack overwrites with newer versions. The newer versions may support the old functionality, but might introduce side effects.
I like the advice of building a drive image by layers, with OS, then all the service packs, then video, audio, LAN, USB; next do a backup of registry settings by using the "System Restore" option "Create a restore point" from
Programs: Accessories: System: System Restore
Install EQ 2 if not already; if it was already installed but you want a clean system, you can write it temporarily to another hard disk or volume with at least 5.0 GB of extra space available by
explorer: drive C: program files: Yes you want to see the contents: Sony: rt-click: Copy: choose new drive, make a folder, rt-click Paste and wait 5-8 minutes for the copy.
Now when copying back,
copy the "Sony" directory, paste to c:\program files
Then RUN REGEDIT
notice a tree of strange names
click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
click SOFTWARE
on the right where it says
Default REG_SZ (value not set)
put your mouse pointer on white space below that line
right-click
choose NEW KEY
and since I am at work the exact text here I'll have to add later, think its
"Sony Online Entertainment: EverQuest 2"
it gets a key named "1.00.00"
You can verify the correct name and spelling on your already installed version by opening regedit and navigating to the same place.
Anyway, installing from CD puts the unpatched EQ2 and station launchpad under C:\program files\sony
a shortcut on your desktop, and the above two registry keys. Thats it; thus, if you ever want to start fresh, you can copy the already patched and up to date EQ2 someplace with 5 GB or more of free space, then deltree program files, deltree windows, and reinstall. I wouldnt deltree windows except for a very mangled system, and I'd first make a DOS driver diskette with CD-ROM drivers and MSCDEX so as to be able to load my OS again. Actually, for Win 98/98SE/ME I just copy the files from CD from the \win9x directory to a new folder, then I can run setup from hard disk without needing the CD. It doesn't work if you have XP; you must install XP from the CD or a Norton Ghost image.
Now add DirectX 9.0c (so that audio and video were already installed, since either might have older files that if installed after DirectX could walk on the newer DX versions).
I did the following on my borderline system and it removed a number of lockups; at 33.6 Kbps I wasn't keen on having to re-download all the EQ 2 updates. That was my workaround.
Once more for emphasis, I wouldn't flat-line your system until I've given up; and its a worst case way to do things. I certainly would start by trying to remove spybots
I like SPYBOT S&D v1.3; its freeware and not adware. The person who does it could use support, as its a labor of love, but bottom line it works and works well.
Any other advice I'll have to save for some other time.
This becomes much more obvious if you run a mix of old and new software on the machine; an older MS-Office 97 or 2000, or say Roxio EZ-CD, are examples where updates are needed for compatibility purposes. Actually, Roxio EZ-CD fights Office XP; update both and they stop fighting. The fight is simply each overwriting shared DLLs with their own