Posted on 04/06/2005 6:57:37 AM PDT by bedolido
On Tuesday, April 12, Microsoft will turn off the blocking feature that has made it possible for some enterprises to block Windows XP Service Pack 2 downloads by employees who use Automatic Update. That means in companies that used the blocking tool, SP2 will be downloaded automatically to desktop computers that use Windows' Automatic Update feature.
In its April 4 report on business adoption of Windows XP SP2, AssetMetrix warned that a surge of SP2 downloads on April 12 could stress IT help desks and cause "productivity brownouts" among employees. But a Microsoft spokesman downplayed that scenario, saying fewer than 1% of Microsoft's enterprise customers ever used the blocking tool anyway. Small businesses and consumers will be unaffected by the change, he says, because the blocking tool was not available to them.
AssetMetrix advises companies that did use the blocking tool, yet now want employees to upgrade to SP2, to do so gradually before April 12 in order to avoid a big-bang support problem. It's worth noting that April 12, as the second Tuesday of the month, is the same day that Microsoft is scheduled to release its monthly software patches, if any are forthcoming.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
so there!
I refuse to download SP2, tried it about 4 months ago and it messed up my PC. Thank goodness for the system restore program on my PC.
marked for later reading
Same here. Is this article saying we are going to get it whether we want it or not?
What do you use for your restore? I've tried a few w/o success.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
This is one of the reasons why I stayed with Windows 2000.
Microsoft is the like Geico, except that it's their
DISsatisfaction rate that's 95%, but they are working
hard to convert that last 5% that don't hate MS yet.
It's been installed on 30+ PC's here at my office and I installed it on 50+ PC's at my children's school and had no problems.
What went wrong, specifically? I've done dozens of sp2 installations with no bad results.
Most networks at large corporations are configured so the necessary ports are not open. They allowed censored web browsing through a proxy, and that's it.
Other than the way that Microsoft is forcing people to accept SP2, what's wrong with it? I installed it, and I haven't noticed any new problems. Does it do something I should be aware of? Is there a reason (besides not liking to be told what to do) why people should choose not to install it?
Inquiring minds want to know.
I recommend the use of XP AntiSpy.
It can completely turn off all methods by which Windows communicates, or "phone's home" with Microsoft. If you don't want SP2, you don't have to have it rammed down your throat.
Their marketing department said that "It's time we made a product that doesn't suck".
Not sure of the brand, it came pre-installed with my Dell. My old Gateway was also pre installed w/ "Gateway Go Back". Both work well, it's saved me a few times!
BTW when you installed SP2 did you have to tweek anything?
Inquiring minds want to know. (LOL)
If you are forced to download, does the supplemental EULA (software licence) that is included, have any validity whatsoever?
THe only thing SP2 did on my network is break a few apps. We quickly made exceptions in the SP2 firewall and all was good. Frankly, I think not going to sp2 is foolish as it helps a lot more things than it hurts.
Many larger corporations have many different hardware platforms/configurations which may or may not be compatible with SP2 without detailed attention being paid to the patching process.
Those corporations have now got to decide whether it is more cost effective to allow the auto update to take place and put out the 'fires' as they come up or initiate a project to turn off the auto update function on all desktops and perform as desk by desk controlled update.
Either way it's a gamble and it's gonna cost em.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.