Don't put yourself out, Bill.
Posted on 08/06/2004 3:04:17 PM PDT by HAL9000
Microsoft released the long-anticipated Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) to manufacturing mid-day Friday, just two days after unknown delays temporarily stumped its wrap.Although Microsoft's signed off on SP2 -- a major update to Windows XP that devotes considerable effort toward tightening up the operating system against security threats -- it's not yet offering the upgrade to end users.
SP2 will post for downloading next week, said Microsoft, but it's urging users to not flood the Windows Update servers by retrieving the approximately 80MB file on their own. Instead, the Redmond, Wash.-based developer is trying to convince users to let the patch come to them.
Thursday, Microsoft amended its Windows XP Web site to include instructions on enabling Windows' Automatic Update feature, which will then download the new version when capacity's available.
“The timing for customers to receive the Service Pack 2 download through Automatic Updates depends on a number of factors,” said Microsoft in a statement. “[That includes] the customer's Internet usage, location, language, and the level of Internet demand for Service Pack 2.”
For those without big bandwidth, Microsoft will also make SP2 available on CD, free of charge. The company will even pick up the shipping tab.
New machines featuring Windows XP SP2 won't appear until the September-October time frame, said Microsoft, which added that it is working with major manufacturers such as Dell, HP, and IBM to get the new edition on systems as soon as possible.
SP2's most discussed changes include a more rigorous approach to security, including stronger default settings and the new Security Center, an end-user console for monitoring bundled and third-party firewall and anti-virus defenses.
“We encourage Windows XP users to spend five minutes today to turn on Automatic Updates, thus ensuring they'll receive Service Pack 2 as it becomes available,” said Will Poole, who leads Windows client development, in a statement.
I take it you've already installed it and are having problems?
Wow, a stronger default setting. I bet that took all of two of three lines of code.
Don't put yourself out, Bill.
By the time they get Windows XPletive into any kind of shape, I'll have taught myself how to use Linux.
I look forward to this update. Windows XP is already an excellent operating system that has served me very well for going on 3 years now.
Reading some comments in another forum....the concensus seems to be that SP2 (beta version) slows down the computer too much. Several out of a dozen or so comments said they installed it and the uninstalled it for that reason.
Hmm I must be one of the lucky ones. I've had Windows XP on our 2 home computers for almost 3 yrs and in all that time, only ONE crash a few months ago *knock on computer desk* And that was on the HP machine so its recovery console saved pretty much everything, just had to reinstall a few programs. The kids computer has yet to crash...go figure...
I haven't had my box crash since Win '98. And the last (and only virus) was then, also. I wonder what I'm doing so wrong so many others are doing so right? (/chortle)
Just got off the phone with someone who had their XP computer destroyed by spyware this morning.
XP runs very well for me. So well, in fact, that there's no way in hell I'm going anywhere near this service pack after what I've heard about it.
XP SP1 works just fine, thanks.
}:-)4
The service pack works fine for me.
If you've had little or no problems you were indeed lucky.
I've had corrupted files once in a great while, but I Ghost my system partitions frequently. An SCSI HD was going bad once, but I have 2. And I don't install a bunch of stupid apps like a little girl. 2 firewalls. And I clean out the thing and make sure all the fans work.
That'll cure a boatload of the problems with most of these folks. Ghosting is great, isn't it?
Yep! No sitting or crawling around all night. And I have backup floppies for Ghost too! Images both on my 2nd HD and CDs.
Ready for war!:)
Actually YES!
SP2 will break several imporant applications and most of the 35,000 desktops at our corp. We will have to disable most of the security features in order to deploy it. (it does not like SMS2003.
this is the same crap they have pulled with server 2003. It works great. Untill you ask them how to securely run the server in a corporate environment. their answer... "Test it out and see".
Virtually all my computer software is Microsoft and if it were possible, I would have a 100% Microsoft computer. It is an excellent company and I even own stock in it (looking forward to my first dividend check).
I regret that Microsoft has not gotten into other industries. For example, I'd like a Microsoft motor vehicle or a Microsoft refrigerator. But they don't make those things yet. So for now, I must suffer with what I have.
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