Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

So its basically has the same anti piracy features as SP1. Well as I've mentioned before on here there are ways around that but it will keep allot away from it.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

person who said it has the same antipircy features as xp1 is wrong it has more sp1 dont install on a blacklisted key sp2 does then locks you out with activation!

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

There's also ways back in as stated and you can get the full install of sp2 with a pirated copy like I said. It just depend's what they did to get around it ;)

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

why do they bother, they tried with SP1 didnt work, they tried with windwos update, it didnt work. When ate they going to learn that its NOT POSSIBLE to stop people. Why waste money, the people who want to crack it will crack it, the people who want to use it will use it, the people who make money out of piracy should be tracked and prosicuted.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

The people who crack it dont do it for money though. They do it for the challenge of getting one over Microsoft. But Like I've said before I think the activation is working partly. You have to know what your doing in order to get past this activation thing. Even the newbie approach of using that crack in safe mode. So in that way it is

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

i didnt say they cracked if for money. I said people who make money out of selling pirated copies are the ones that should be targeted and putting lame security checks in software isnt the way to do it

Video Tour of XP SP2
 

See Here

Loads of new features. Really is worth watching.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Got bored with it, she was going on too much about net chess - bet she's a real addict lol

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Is the 15th of June the offical release date?

Re: Video Tour of XP SP2
 

VERY unprofessional for a Microsoft production :erm:

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Im not sure how they can have a "blacklist" of specific keys for XP, sure the famous Devils Own key FCKGW... but useable keys as far as i know are generated on the fly randomly. Soooo, how do they block when there is no "list"?

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

I doubt it. It has just gone back to a beta version from being a Release Candidate (Release Candidate is the penultimate stage, with Release to Manfacturing being the final stage).

I could be wrong, but I would be surprised to see SP2 being released before the middle of next month.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Quick heads up
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.ph...c=177988&st=15

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

i still wont touch it till the final actual release :D

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Nor would a lot of people but some still do. This is not a finalised release and should be treated with caution. If any member of this forum were to come across a link to the release I would advise NOT installing this software on your main Operating System drive.
It is BETA and it is Microsoft, it will break ;) Install at your own risk, this software is not meant for the general public.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

So when is the final release then. Any idea?

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Thanks paul. Just downloading it from the Beta test site now...

Would be interesting to find out what happened to my email though (maybe it'll take a day or two).

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

maybe there own mass mail spam filters blocked them :D :erm: :p:

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

No probs, sometimes being a forum Ho helps ;) As to the final release of SP2 (WNA) it's looking like its still the end of Summer before its released. Needs more testing just in case lol

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

I second this. I am using it at home on a machine where all important data is backed up, and I am quite happy to set the machine up again as and when needed.
But, as a beta tester for SP2, I would say avoid it unless you are willing and able to fix things as they go wrong.

Also, despite the "Release Candidate" status, there is still a GOOD chance there is bugs in the Service Pack. Bugs in software is one thing (at worst, that piece of software may malfunction). Bugs in a service pack may stop the computer booting at all.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Definately agreed Stu, despite the RC tag I would still treat this as ALPHA release software, Microsoft Alpha release at that ;)

Windows XP SP2 available
 

http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.co....aspx?ln=en-us

It's still in beta so be warned, also it's a hulk of a download - 264Mb!!!!

Dial-up users might like to wait for the CD....

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

Thanks for the tip-off Russ

My XP Pro machine is churning away now - even at this hour on a Sunday night on 1MB its not very speedy - but hopefully this will beat the rush ;)

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

Same here - I'm up to 217Mb and I've been sitting here for half an hour...

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

I got the update fron v4 to v5 - the next stage is 100MB just got to 78 after a long pause while it was writing to disc

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

OK this is annoying.....it's stuck at 263Mb!

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

Its crept to 9.60/9.60 in the download window and stopped, but the HD activity light thinks its in a disco...........

Edit- no its moving on - backing up system now

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

OK I made the HUGE mistake of not restarting my machine after the first download - which means the 264Mb file FAILED to install!!!

Yes folks, I have to download the whole bugger once more!!!!

I'm off to bed....

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

:shocked: :td:

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

Ok - 40 minutes of my life, my HD is now full but I have the official M$ pop-up stopper installed, lol.

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

Ahem ;)
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...&postcount=113
Do you not read the forums Russ? LOL :p:

Re: Windows XP SP2 available
 

At 1.10am obviously not... :(

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Why are updates so big? Microsoft are just anoying me because of my blasted 150k connection :(

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Not touching this with a barge pole until fully releasable

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

hrm, I'm using a copy of XP with SP2 slipstreamed (with a valid serial no. from a copy of XP Pro that I own) but Windows Update tells me

I guess I'm going to end up reinstalling XP when it's released.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Not even going to prod it? ;)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

My pc takes AGES to start up now.... :(

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

When its finally released would some kind person make a new thread saying so..

Keeping my barge pole at hand until then
Cheers.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Well the pop-up blocker seems to be pretty handy and the firewall is a lot more active.....

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

I'm trying to download SP2, but for some reason I get this message on the WindowsBeta page:

You cannot view this page at this time.

Reason: Insufficient Credentials

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Never mind, I just finished updating and Windows update says "We recommend you download and install Sp2" So I thought OK, time to download! :D

Hmm, says 100mb. I wonder if thats for the Home edition of Windows, and the 200+ one is for Professional.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

lol hmmm I ain't touchin' it either cos it won't let me ;).... *me* finds a spare £150 hah!

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Right, after waiting almost 4 minutes for my machine to finally boot, I've decided to do a system restore to get rid of SP2 - it might be different for you of course but my advice would be to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!! It slowed everything down to an almost unworkable rate :grind: @ Gates

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

hehe, it is only a working beta ;) so wait for the final thing.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

No way am i going to touch this, anytime i try anything new like updating stuff EVERYTHING goes wrong and i wish i hadbt started it !!!!

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

I did create a slipstream CD with it integrated and didn't have any problems (on my virtual PC). But in the long run - I think I'll wait for the proper full version to come out.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Since installing SP2, my system runs faster, and is more stable :erm:

SP1 used to be very slow, and used to crash a lot.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

So does that mean that ill still have to use ZA? Is there a link for the download?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Yes, it's called "Windows Update"

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

I installed SP2 ages ago and have recently downloaded a 100Mb update to it. Both installations went OK and the computer has been fine. The barge pole didn't seem needed.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Have just moved from the beta on two pcs to the RC on 120 pcs.

The beta had some odd bits like not allowing certain links to work, inc the link on this site to the home page!!! but otherwise was stable. The RC is working fine so far.

One interesting thing emerged but really was not the fault of the SP. We run exchange with Office 2003 ie Outlook 2003. The default install runs Outlook in cached mode. To cut the story short we have noticed users complaining of slow delivery of emails. You have to remember that my users are uber geek software developers who email the person sitting opposite rather than talk to them so they notice these things.

We found that if the XP firewall is turned on ( default in SP2) it seems to break the connection with Exchange and Outlook turns to polling the server on an elapsed time basis. Turn the firewall off and your instant delivery returns????????

to be fair, experimenting with an un-sp'ed XP proved that this happens with the original firewall too. After all the faf of deducing that I havnt tried it with ZA, perhaps someone would like to experiment?

T

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Your funeral mate ;) :D

I'm left facing a reformat - My machine is STILL slow on start-up even after a system restore :(

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Nope SP2 not listed

Have you tried editing the registry or using msconfig?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

You are not alone Russ, boot up is slow on my machine too :mad:

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

WNA Try this

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Thanks yesman. I will try that when i get home tonight.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Is it safe to do an install of SP2 at candidate 2?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

It's still in beta - so make sure you understand that before you install it.

Personally I will never install a beta service pack on one of my main systems - I test/play/use it on a virtual copy of XP on my virtual machine :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

I have donr the sensible thing by creating a restore point first. After its installed are there any screens that i should be aware of?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Don't fall for the trap in thinking that'll save you - I restored my system to a date before I installed SP2 and my machine is STILL running slow :(

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Just some stuff asking if you want to use auto update - and the new firewall.

It may be different for you tho - I used a slipstream CD.

I hope your'e using a proper copy of XP too :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Oh yeah im using a copy that came pre installed on my PC.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

just tried dl'ing it and it has hung at 92mb , me very :confused: :erm:


cancel that , it has just woke up :D :D :D

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Mines hung at 76.80MB

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

That's server load for you ;) I got mine overnight so it didn't bother me if it hung or slowed down now and then :)
By the way I used a download manager to make sure it wouldn't just die on me during transfer lol
On the slow down front, if you look at task manager are any processes running away with the RAM or CPU time? Could just be a system file that failed to copy over correctly.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

I'm sure there's a pun about making regular backups here somewhere :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Its working now

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

well thats weird , i have just braved the xpsp2 wrath and if anything my pc seems to boot quicker than ever :shrug: :D :D :D :D

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Grrrrrrr.......







Git :(

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

How do i get Windows to monitor anti virus?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

sorry mate :( , @WNA what do you mean , xpsp2 dont have any built in av or do you mean something else :confused:


edit :- xpsp2 should pick up your av and tell you whether it reckons it is doing its job , or not as the case may be :erm:

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

To stop virus you need a anti virus such as norton windows doesnt have one built in, even if they did it would be stupid as (for reasons i cant be borthed to explain here) it would mean microsoft releasing software to defeat there own bugs etc etc

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Its basically saying that it has picked up Norton AV but the Security Centre is not monitoring it.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

is it a real version of norton or a naughty one ?????????????

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

real bought from PC World.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

just curious :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

As a side nnote you better make sure you have a good spam remover

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

recommend any good ones for free?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Both good, use both in case one doesn't catch all of them. Also learn how spy ware gets into the computer and what it does to help prevent it in the first place ;)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Well I've done a full backup with Ghost and I'm downloading the SP now, here goes nothing :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

It will as stated do it automatically, if not look for a new icon in the control panel ;)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

seems to be working fine for me , go for it :tu: :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Just installed XPSP2 RC2 and so far so good. Xp now loads quicker than it did before (or at least it seems to). Only problem I have is the windows "critical stop" sound plays at the end of boot up, but every thing seems to work properly. tempereraly stopped this by switching the sound off until I work out whats happening.

Did notice the "Home Edition" has gone from the Windows splash screen, also the scroller has changed from green to blue. Also noticed SP2 can be removed from "Add Remove Programs" for those who are a little unsure of giving it a try.

Security centre on my PC also recognises NAV2003 but can not read it's current state, maybe a fix in the final release (this is RC2 after all).

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Might be something failling to initialise properly on boot up, have you looked in the event viewer etc for clues? What software/ services do you have running from start up and are they all showing in the task manager?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Yeh, checked all the event logs, nothing there. Also tried disableing a few things on startup, but to no evail. All my hardware is working fine and all my apps appear on the task bar and are working fine.

Getting a bit late now to try anything too extensive, I will have a deeper look at the weekend.

Thanks for the input though Paul

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

This is getting silly now - as I'm planning to reformat soon I thought I'd download SP2 again. Booting up is as quick as ever until the desktop appears...then the icons just don't do anything, they just look like this for about 3 minutes....

http://www.russ.david.dsl.pipex.com/screenshot.JPG

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Well all loaded here fine, like others the security centre doesn't want to recognize the status of NIS but thats not a huge problem. Startup seems a little quicker though. Sorry Russ

Edit- Scratch that Windows update dosent want to work now :( Glad I made a backup :)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Well it doesn't really matter seeing as I'll be wiping the HD clean this weekend but it sure is annoying!

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Well - I found it all a little quicker on my virtual copy - but the windows update doesn't work on my virtual copy - but then I didn't expect it to;)

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

After installing SP2 im having to do a system restore already. Made a restore point before installing SP2. Now the only thing is it won't let me restore it back to 2 days ago. Should i restore in safe mode?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

You can certainly try.

What problems did you have with it?

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

*goes mad looking at dilligaf1701's sig*

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

:confused: You have refreshed your cache haven't you? - I recently changed it.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

You might be able to fix this by refreshing the icon cache, but it's a long shot.
You need TweakUI for this (free M$ download).

SP2 doesn't have any traditional anti-virus measures other than the firewall for 32-bit CPUs, only 64-bit CPUs will see any benefit due to the "no execute" extension.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

When i try normally i first troubleshoot sys restore by going into cmd and typing net start. I then choose a restore point and click ok to restore and when my PC boots back up it says system restorian incomplete!

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Sorry - it was me not being clear - I meant what problems did you have with sp2? I'm curious as the more problems people report I look for them on my test installation.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

I got an error on startup. Can't remember what it was and i haven't got a screenshot. So what ill do is do a restore in Safe mode and do a reinstall of SP2 tonight.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

just playing with the pop up blocker , very effective :tu:

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

Well the safe mode syst restore didn't work.

Re: MERGED Windows XP SP2
 

looks like oh oh time , can you give us an exact error message when you boot up ??????????????