Merged: Windows XP SP2 - discuss it here!
 

Well yes I know some will have already installed this but I have to say what a big improvement it is. The Firewall that now checks in/out traffic. The popup blocker on internet explorer to mention a few of the improvements. This is a big improvement. I've had it on a few days now and nice work guys

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Time to burn me a XP SP2 slipstream CD methinks :)

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Confused!

I have just checked for updates, and no SP2 listed. Have I missed something?

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

From what I've heard you'll have it to download in a couple of days ;)

Hense the reason for me posting

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Noted, ta muchly:)

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Should note it leave's a backup file of 565MB called "ServicePackFiles" like the old one but much bigger!

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Xac would you mind explaining how you go about it as its a real pain having to download a whole service pack when you do the inevitable yearly reinstall.

Oh, and does it included a roll-up of all the critical fixes et al that are out at the moment?

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

*jumps in first*

http://www.iamnotageek.com/articles.php?aid=12&page=1 makes it nice and easy... even for me :dunce: :)

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Well there are easier ways but less about those hey lol

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

oh but i like nice simple steps and so forth...i have a nasty way of screwing simple things up when it involves installing stuff :erm:

im only young and ickle after all :angel:

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

True, and thanks for the link, but surely you should be busy packing so you can get back to uni and all that binge drinking?? :erm: :D

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

dont be daft, im not setting off til wednesday lunchtime... got a whole 3 days yet ;)

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Silly me, thinking that normal unis started on a Monday like the rest of us! :erm: :disturbd: :pp

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

i dont start til the 28th.....:D

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

:mad: bloody students

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

So im guessing you will have to download later this week then???

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

u can d/l the rc for some time i belive - i got the network install for my work on friday and installed it this morning on some boxes seemed to work ok, but havnt had time to muck about a lot of its features are turned off for domains so i dont get to play with the flash new firewall options.

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Image's of some of the new features,

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/defiant1/sp2_1.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/defiant1/sp2_2.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/defiant1/sp2_3.jpg

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Is there a link on the microsoft website for it?

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

Yep -

Windows XP SP2 Release Candidate 1

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...p2preview.mspx

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...be4f/xpsp2.exe

:)

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

For those of you using this release candidate I hope that the final release is compatible! Strictly for beta testers in my book.

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

But candidate is not beta. Tut tut you didn't know that:pp

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

I shall be waiting for the final release - even then I'll probably wait a couple of days to see if there's a huge outcry! (other than the fact that it's about 200MB!)

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

I agree.

Apple just released a faulty airport update (wireless networking), luckily I didn't install it because I checked the reports first.

But since this has had a public beta AND RC testing, I would expect problems to be minimal.

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

I know it's not beta, it is NOT a Final release, so I SAID it was for beta testers. Tut tut!!

Re: Windows XP Sp2
 

RC2 is coming out in may, MS hopes that the first half of this year we will have a 'final' release, but they dont rule out further RC's

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/...RSS,RSS,00.asp

xpsp2 q
 

i know it was probably a bad idea but i have installed xpsp2 :erm: , everytime i view a webpage i get a message as below , any ideas how to stop it :(

Re: xpsp2 q
 

looks like the updated firewall is blocking traffic... have a look around your advanced settings.. you may need to set up a new trusted zone.... i'll have a look once i've downloaded it

Re: xpsp2 q
 

Try putting a site in the trusted sites zone and see if you get the same message.

Re: xpsp2 q
 

you nailed it , i put this site in the trusted zone and i dont get the message , now how do i avoid having to put everything in the trusted zone :confused:


edit :- i tried turning windows firewall off and it made no difference :(

Re: xpsp2 q
 

I installed it and have had no trouble at all.

Re: xpsp2 q
 

good grief its me again :( :D :D :D

Re: xpsp2 q
 

I've installed on my virtual copy of xp (via virtual pc) and haven't had any problems yet....

If I still don't get any problems after a week or so I may put it on my laptop. But I'm not putting it on my main system untill it's been properly released.

Re: xpsp2 q
 

hmm... not sure... the only thing i can think of is restoring the security level for each zone to the default and seeing if that makes a difference. I have had a look through the options and the advanced internet options, but i can't see any options that should affect it. Still worth giving it a go though!

Re: xpsp2 q
 

cheers , i will have a play and see :)

Re: xpsp2 q
 

what are you on?

Re: xpsp2 q
 

sorry i am not with you :confused:

Re: xpsp2 q
 

It's a conspiricy - you're equipment is working against you :)

Re: xpsp2 q
 

i am beginning to think so , maybe it is time to hit the big reset button :D :D :D :D :D :D

Re: xpsp2 q
 

I think you should check whether your PC is infected with any spyware/malware which is hijacking your web browser.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Do we know of an offical release date yet for SP2?

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

"Late summer"
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/29/xp_sp2_delay/

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

oh great thats another thing MS can't keep up with.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

I think I would rather they released something that doesn't shaft my mystem when installing it than rushing it out to me. And let's face it, there's not really very much forecast in SP2 that most of us haven't used third party programs for anyway, or would find utterly useless.

Any serious patches can be handled via the usual monthly updates.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Been using SP2(rc) since it came out and not had one problem with it and the new features are great that I've said before:)

XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=15812

Good move, at least people running dodgy versions will be able to update and it helps the internet community. :tu:
BTW - I bought my copy of XP Pro new, so I'm not being biased here.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

If I was being cynical I'd expect to see a new "phone home" service appear magically along with the service pack that the updated integrated firewall somehow lets through without a peep ;)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

So when is SP2 available anyway??

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

What they don't tell you is there's a little bit of code built in to SP2 that can track if you are using a pirated copy or not. :Yikes:

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Well they do have to protect their investment the simple way to avoid this if you are using a (Ahem) evaluation copy is not to install the service pack.

I did install it in RC form but had to remove it as it messed up my settings somewhat i just hope it is sorted for the final release.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Really? What would be the point of this, apartb from gauging how many copies are out there - which I suppose is quite useful info for future releases.

Personally I can see the logic on this, as there are so many 'unofficial' installs of XP out there, it would cause a problem if the security was not watertight - this would lead to widerspread infections of worms and trojans etc.

Personally I think the operating system is one area you don't mess with in terms of illegal software. It's vital that you have a valid product, and support where needed.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Meh, I'm not keen on the RC, it took a good 3 or 4 minutes for my machine to fully boot up, reinstalled XP with SP1 and it's back to it's normal < 1 minute. I also had all sorts of bother with whatever they did to Internet Explorer, i.e. trying to view javascript/flash locally, they've locked it down tighter than a gnats chuff, which is all very well until it starts to lose functionality.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

That is just some of the symptoms that i suffered with it

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Guess this may be why they have delayed its release.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Does it remove MS Java or leave it there ?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I don't think it is included, but it's not clear (to me anyway as I haven't installed it) whether it remove existing installs. I thought that MS and Sun had come to some sort of arrangement that would allow MS Java to be distributed for the next few years, albiet with no enhancements.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

It updates the java if its MS ;)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I used to agree, however I was one of those poor soles you hear about who actually bought Windows ME, wouldnt work on my system without blue screening every 10 mins or so, and the shope I bought it from wouldnt take it back because it had been opened (How else are you ment to know if it will work or not).
since that tragic time I wont even think of buying an OS I havent allready tried out first on my machine, Sadly the only way to do this is with pirated software, or to borrow a mates copy like I did (though that is just as illegal according to the EULA, wich I have read :) )
I do own legal copies of Windows XP Pro & Home now, XP pro I tried out first and XP home came with my laptop so no purchase needed :D

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I'd say myself that there wouldn't have been as many pirated copys of Windows Xp about as prevous windows just because of the activation. There just arnt that many people about who know how to get around it. Most go on about cracks but there rubbish because if the computer fails/crash's your goosed because the activation can then click in. There are ways around this without using a crack of course but I wont get into this. Ps I got my OS with the computer from new ;)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Ah OK....well ME was a whole different story....personally I think that OS should ONLY have been available for free ;)

I can see the point, and you sound like one of the good guys who will buy the product if it works for you - which is fine.

It's everyone to their own....I'm a bit of a coward really!!

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

They wont admit it but they know Windows Me was a bad mistake. Thats why they gave more life to Windows 98 :)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I'm beginning to wonder what the advantage of installing SP2 is on a fully patched machine, surely all the critical updates will still be released in Windows update? Is it worth messing with the config of the machine that much?

:notopic:

On a side note, I installed an update version of XP on a relatives comp but i couldn't do a full install as she only has an HP recovery version of ME and not an OEM disk. I've been told there is an MS knowledge base article that shows you how to make a bootable CD-R that allows you to do a full install but I can't for the life of me find it on the MS site. Have any of you guys got any experience of this?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

It doesn't just have the latest patchs it has added features for XP. Like a real firewall and popup protection etc

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

By the look of it, most of what's been added is complete crap, I'm personally going to stick with Service Pack 1 until I have absolutely no choice but to upgrade. It appears to cater to the less knowledgable users who don't really have the first clue as to how to protect their machines.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I wish they would release it now.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

But how many of those do we really need? I've got a firewall and pop-up blocker :erm:

I'm just wondering if it's worth all the added stress of messing up my system now I've got it just how I like it?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Why?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Cos im actually fed up with the MSN and Google toolbar.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Well dont know about you but I feel allot better having Zonealarm Pro and NOW a real XP firewall working at the same time. As for the popup blocker because its built into IE6 it works a treat

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Then dont use them ;)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Just seems like they are trying to foist more crap on us, I'm perfectly happy with XP as it is, personally I'd rather they spend the time, money and effort on Longhorn at least that would be worth while.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Bear in mind m8 that having 2 firewalls running can create problems and even weaken system security. Its better to just run ZAPRO IMHO....

Going to install SP2 tonight on the inlaws machine !!

Anything to watch out for peeps ?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I think they had to do something to address the barrage of attacks on their architechture of the OS - so there will be a lot of 'back-of-house' changes that most will never know about - but will make the systems running it far more resillient to attacks.

It also has some features, or so I have read, to prevent browser hijacks and so on. Probably nothing you can't buy anywhere else as third party, but highly useful none the less.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I know but I find the new XP firewall gr8 for the ics network I run. Had no problems so far anyway plus tested it on the net and its come up safe

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

So is it offically released yet? or are we discussing the beta version?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Beta - its not out yet.

I have installed it on my parents machine so that they have extra protection and locked them out from being admins.

Didnt have any problems, except it wouldnt recognise Norton AV 2003's status.

A worthy move making it available to everyone, people would only have to wait a couple of days before the SP was cracked anyhoo.

XP Pro costs a lot of money anyway, more than i can afford. Great OS though.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

OEM XP pro is only about £90 now. Thats not too unreasonable for an OS, though I do think its extortionate how much they charge for OS's these days in general.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

it neither beta or full release as yet the one that you can get is a release candidate which for all intents and purposes is the last stage before it becomes full product

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

So why have they extended the support for ME until 2006?But dropped 98 from support?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Do some searching on the net Incognitas about windows me and you wont be asking that ;)

Windows 98 is older than windows me yes but its still better :)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Maybe but my daughter has much more issues with XP than I do with ME.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Maybe you shouldn't take my word for it no. Ask some other people who work within IT ;)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

then she is doing something wrong and I dont work in IT ;) :)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I have ME on my laptop, I've not had a single problem, and I've "worked in IT" as everything from a mainframe operator, a network technician, a systems manager to a web developer for the last 16 years. Then, I (like plenty of other people) don't use it for anything more challenging than browing the internet, sending emails etc, it's certainly a lot faster than Mandrake/Redhat running KDE or Gnome.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Well thats nice to know you like it or worrying whatever way people think of it. However I'm sure there are plenty of people on here that deal with different operating systems everyday and they have a different story :)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I've used XP for a LOOONG time now after using 98, and one thing i do remember was that it was such a leap on and it just felt right.

XP is in a different league IMO.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I agree 100% I just dont like the way it use's up so much resource's. 2k runs just as well, well Xp use's the 2k engine so I dont see why it needs so much. We wont an operating system not a hungrey game

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

The best operating system I have come across is Win 2k pro using XP driver's

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I'd still be using that if it wasn't for for XP having the network bridge

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Yes I was going to say I got my full version of XP Pro from Ebay for only £95. Very Happy with it. Needless to say is this SP2 actually worth it, if your system is running happily and merrily along. You know what they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

You get a lot of extras, believe me.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Hmmmm, now my mate has, shall we say, a "shady" copy of XP Pro, and has had SP1 installed since it was available, so I don't think their plan to stop the pirates worked that well!!


And just my 2p on the 98/ME debate.
From personal experience, all the PC's I installed ME on, it was more stable and faster than 98, particularly on mine, but then I do mess with them a lot (and I work in IT)

But XP wins hands down over any previous version of Windows, better than 2000 from a home users point of view, in my opinion.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Just to clarify slightly. With Win ME if you are lucky enough to get a stable install it will be solid as a rock. The problem lies there, if you are unlucky installing the OS (About 80% of the time in my experience) the thing will be about as stable as a drunk in an earthquake.
Since I had to keep my copy of WinME I did try it again later down the line, I ran it stable for 7 months (a personal record for me, even with WinXP I normally have to reformat every 3-5 months), then I needed to reformat through no fault of the OS and I never managed to get it to run stable again.

I never got what people meant about Win98 being unstable though? Sure it could be if it was left running for long periods without rebooting but that was a common problem with OS's at the time. Or are these people reffering to Win98 standard, and not Win98SE?? I only briefly used standard 98 before moving onto SE and I rareley ran into a crash wich wasnt down to shoddy game coding or cheap hardware.

EDIT: I only even upgraded to XP eventually because I cant use 2k on my laptop and for some reason I couldnt get XP to play nice with 2k on my main machine(e.g. first time accessing my network in a new browser could take upto 2mins)

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

More news, back on topic...
Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe told ComputerTimes that Windows XP Service Pack 2 would not exclude pirated copies from upgrading, and that it was more important to keep user safe than to be "concerned about the revenue issue."

To clarify its position, a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews, "Press reports indicating Windows XP Service Pack 2 will install on pirated or illegal copies of Windows XP are not entirely true. Prior to installing, SP2 will check the OS' product ID (PID) against a list of known pirated PIDs. If a PID is found to be invalid, SP2 will not install."

BetaNews confirmed the accuracy of the spokesperson's statement with a source within the company.

Source: http://www.neowin.net

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Off topic ish, but I was most frustrated, buying Office SBE with my laptop and finding that SBE can only be installed on one machine, wheras all other Office installations can be installed legitimatly on your own Laptop and Desktop. So I need to buy another copy, overall my outlay will have been higher than if I had bought Office Developer edition / Professional and installed it on both machines. :mad:

Or a Router - that does the trick and does not impact on performance and can cost as little as ZA Pro.

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

Is there a backpedalling smiley available anywhere?

Re: XP Service Pack 2 - Nice move M$!
 

I think SP1 worked the same way re: known pirated codes.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

the latest rc1 of sp2 will lockout your pc and ask you activate if you have an invalid product id

it then stupidly gives u an option to change your product id by changing your cd key under the activate by phone options :rolleyes: and then cancelling the activation :blah:


there are various utilties around that will allow u to run sp2 on a pirated windows and im sure if anyone needs them they know the best place to look. :eeek:



personally i think the way to beat piracy is to charge a more reasonable price. IMO most ppl can't afford to pay £100 for the OS + £300 or more for office.etc etc :Yikes:

if a mod feels this post shall be deleted then fair enough, ive tryed not to break any rules im just saying it CAN be done but obv im not going to go into details how if somebody wants to know that they will have to find out for themselves i WILL NOT tell anyone how its done so dont bother PMing me for links cus i WON'T give any even if i did know them.

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Regarding the new SP2 firewall, I have read articles saying that it blocks outgoing information, yet Microsoft's own description of it doesn't say it does. Microsoft page. The relevant part being: 'Windows Firewall is a stateful host-based firewall that discards unsolicited incoming traffic'. It doesn't mention anything about blocking outgoing information.

True that permissions can be configured in the new firewall to allow or disallow some services access to the Net, but what if something nasty did get onto the computer (perhaps via script on a web page)? Would the new firewall block any information it might send out to goodness knows where? It seems to me that it wouldn't.

I notice that one of the changes made by SP2 is to prevent script from being run on IE unless you specifically give it permission to do so. Perhaps this is to do with stopping the possibility of attack occurring from that direction and because the firewall won't block anything from getting out if something nasty does get in.

It seems to me that people relying on the new firewall for protection, while using a browser that allows scripts, could perhaps be vulnerable to things getting onto the computer, which might then result in information being sent out through the firewall.

For instance: The first thing I noticed after installing SP2 was that my own homepage bought up a notice at the top of the page saying: 'This page has been restricted from running active content that might be able to access your computer. If you trust this page, click here to allow it access on your computer'. The reason for this message was because the page contained a mouseover script. On the grounds that any page triggering this warning would scare visitors away, the script has now been taken out.

Firefox produces no such warning and just runs the mouseover script. Presumably this could mean that if anything did get in via script, I'd be left somewhat vulnerable by the new firewall. Even though Firefox is reputed to be a browser not so prone to security breaches, I don't feel inclined to rely on the new firewall if info can pass out through it.

I ran the SP2 firewall for a while and the only time I was asked if a program could access the Net was when I opened my web editor. This has a file uploader included so it needs access. Other than that nothing has asked. When running ZoneAlarm, a whole lot of programs on my computer ask for access. So, I can only assume that the new Windows firewall not asking permissions for the same programs means that it is allowing two-way communications without any input from me...and would do so for anything. If everyone else is getting asked permissions for everything (as per ZoneAlarm), then maybe there's something wrong with my installation of the firewall.

If this is the norm though, then I don't see the new firewall is any better than the original version other than it having the feature of being switched on by default.

Thoughts?

Re: [Merged] Windows XP SP2
 

Not sure if this is history or news TBH.....:erm:

There you have it-no XPSP2 for those who have illegal copies.