Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5

Released in April 1999, Microsoft's Service Pack 5 (SP5) includes the latest collection of fixes, updates, and upgrades to Windows NT 4.0. In this article, we'll look at what's included in SP5, as well as how to install and uninstall the service pack.

Installation considerations

You can install SP5 on both Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows NT Workstation 4.0. Don't install SP5 on Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.

Microsoft's most current service pack for Terminal Server is SP4. You can download SP4 for Terminal Server by going to the microsoft.com/ntserver/terminal server/news/msnw/tsesp4.asp Web page.

Before you install Service Pack 5, make sure you have enough available disk space to install the service pack and to back up critical files so that you can uninstall SP5 if you have a problem. You'll need 42 MB of free disk space on an Alpha-based system to install SP5; on an Intel-based system, you'll need 31 MB of free disk space. In addition, you'll need about 60 MB of free disk space to back up your system files.

(You need the free disk space on the drive on which you've installed Windows NT.)

Microsoft has documented specific problems you might run into with installing SP5 in a Readme.txt file you can download from their Web site. For example, you might run into problems if you have a Dell Latitude laptop on which you're using the Softex Advanced Power Management and PC Card Controller services. You should download the Readme.txt file to check for potential problems before you install SP5. You can download the Readme.txt file by going to microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/ recommended/sp5/readme.asp.

Obtaining Service Pack 5 You can obtain a copy of Service Pack 5 by either downloading it from Microsoft's Web site, installing it from the Web site, or by ordering the CD-ROM. As shown in Figure A, you can access Microsoft's Service Pack 5 Web page by going to microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/ recommended/sp5/allsp5.asp.

Ordering the CD-ROM

You can order Service Pack 5 on CD-ROM from Microsoft by calling [phone] or by faxing your order to [phone].

(If you're an international customer, you'll need to order SP5 directly from your local Microsoft subsidiary.) If you're in the US or its territories, you can mail your order to...