Hi,
It is a good idea to disable the virus & spyware scanners during the update, as these can screw the install.
RE: the VPN & SQL being shut down, there are MSKB articles on how to get them going again.

>yea, "mainly security" leaves plenty of room for other changes too.
>
>As regards the firewall, the one that came with SP2 screwed up my VPN connections and when I looked to remedy the problems it offered no real choice short of disabling it. Strangely, it would allow the connection to happen but I couldn't use the connection for anything.
>
>I have my ISP filtering for viruses I have a solid and up-to-date scanner always active, and I run SpyBot daily. Funny, but SpyBot found items even while I was running SP2.
>
>I should have reviewed the logs but was just too frustrated, and when I did make some time I wasted it on Googling.
>
>cheers
>
> >If I understand correctly, the main improvements in SP2 are related to security. I would suggest you install a separate firewall, for example ZoneAlarm, which I understand is a good idea even if you use SP2.
>>
>>>I dunno. It virtually always happenend mid important activity and my main concern was getting back in action.
>>>
>>>I'll wait now for a few more months before I try it again.
>>>Since falling back (which turned out to be quite a chore) I haven't had a single freeze, and right now that's critical to me.
>>>
>>>cheers