Beware unplanned (Microsoft) SP2 downloads on April 12

informationweek (note: blog posting) ^ | 04/06/2005 | John Foley

[js1138]

I may be out till this evening. The basic way to maximize you modem connection speed is to send the correct setup string. this is buried in the internet connection properties and usually isn't touched by users.

The problem is that going above 28k is non standard, and different modem manufacturers have different setup commands. This can go wrong if Windows treats it generically.

You might be able to get tech help from you computer or modem manufacturer. If the modem is on a plug in card and doesn't have a brand, you can get the manufacturer by googling the FIC number printed on the card. Then you can try to find the specs for the card.

[Adder]

Well, I tried to d/l SP2 several times and it froze at 50% for hours each time....I then got error messages that the system was unstable and had to uninstall each time.

As for security issues, an updated Norton does better than SP2, according to what I have read, so SP2 isn't necessary.
Our computer guru said to forget it.

[taxed2death]

I can find out easily enough. It just seems very strange that with the installation of Fix pack 2...from that moment on, my moden only connects at 28k.

Prior to FP2 installation, it would never connect at under 50K.

Many people say" Why not get broad band"...... my answer to that is simply that I use my computer for business emails and although I send a lot of digital pics to show customers my work, I just set the digicam at lowest resolution...and have no problems.


So, in essence... 50K worked well for me...
and 28 k is a bit too slow for my liking.

[taxed2death]

Thanks for the advice.

I have just ordered Linspire 5.0

I have Linux running on my laptop and have had no problems with it.

I think I've about reached my breaking point with "giving Windows / Bill Gates a chance" and if I am going to have a compouter screwed up, I'd rather have it be by my own hands....

[js1138]

Basically, hunt through the modem or dialing properties for an initialization string. It is probably blank.

change it to "AT&F1"
if that doesn't help, try "AT&F2"
third choice, "ATZ"

One of these should work for any brand of modem.

[js1138]

I'm afraid there's a lot more to SP2 than just the firewall. You will need it in the long run. If you do regular Windows updates you probably have most of it.

If SP2 causes problems, you are probably already infected with spyware, and the spyware is writing over the updates, causing lots of problems. There is no easy fix for this. I havw in one case had to reinstall Windows.

The only other situation where SP2 causes problems is when the firewall blocks legitimate programs from getting to the network. To have this problem you would have to be in a business environment, and it is the job of the techie to manage the firewall, not refuse to use it.

[Poser]

" Can you explain for us computer dummies exactly what stuff (or type of stuff) we do need to leave in the system tray?"

I personally kill everything but the speaker and the network. I don't think you can turn the speaker off, and you need your network to download. Some computers have some other items (particularly laptops with battery indicators).

A good rule of thumb is that anything you installed should be turned off.

Virus Checker
IM Applications
Special toolbars
Real Player
Quicktime
Omni-page
Microsoft Office toolbars
DVD/CDRW software apps

I would also turn off my screen saver and set my computer to stay on forever (right click on the screen).

You could also do a Ctrl-Alt-Delete and close any applications running in the task manager.

I have seen computers with more than 20 items running in the system tray at one time. Personally, I wouldn't ever run more than the bare minimum of stuff at one time. My systems are much more stable that way. I haven't seen a blue screen of death in years.

[kayak]

Thanks. You've been very helpful ... :-)

I've been reluctant to try to download SP2 because of the things I've heard about problems but I may try it now.

[bigcheese]

to bring xp up to 2k speed (actually, faster):
right mouse click "My Computer"
Choose properties
Choose advanced
Choose Performance --> Settings
Click on "Adjust for Best performance"
Now machne will look and run like 2k
TO get back XP "feel" while keeping speed increase:
Display Properties --> Appearence --> Windows and Buttons ... set to "XP Style"

If no like classic start menu (xp start menu = yuk/slow), then right mouse on start button --> properties --> start menu (instead of "classic"

[Swordmaker]

I have installed SP2 on over 100 computers and have had no problems yet.

It is also a very good idea to check with your system's manufacturer about known issues with upgrading to XP SP2. They may have some work arounds for their particular product that you need to do before upgrading. MS suggests it strongly. This is particularly important for some laptops which have proprietary drivers.

[Swordmaker]

How do you know that XP AntiSpy turns off all of the methods by which Windows communicates, or phones home, with Microsoft? It's sort of like ordering decaf coffee at a restaurant: how can you know?

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" - "Who guards the guardians?"

[Swordmaker]

Yikes. Ad-aware found 14 pieces of spyware (the same number as the Zone thing). I wonder why Microsoft found zero. I'm removing them now.

Spyware and adware are two different animals... you need to run both. You also may need to run another anti-spyware as well as MS Anti-spyware. I have had several occasions where Spybot Search & Destroy found things left behind by MS-Anti-spyware... and vice verse. Neither one is guaranteed to get the latest hidden re-installer for Cool Web Search... for that you need the latest CWShredder. In addition, run AVG or another good anti-viral agent to find any lurking Trojans... all three anti-spyware missed a re-install trojan for CWS that AVG found on supposedly clean computers.

I have also found it useful to run both Spybot and MS-AS a couple of times in succession. Its amazing what you find.

The other reason is that some Anti-Spyware companies are accepting payment to ignore certain programs that others consider spyware or adware. For example I just heard that one company has "decided" that GAIN is no longer Adware... even though it pops up ads and adds ad content to webpages.

[Swordmaker]

I'm not sending email to these people, to my knowledge. The first I know of their existence (if they really do exist) is when I get an email purporting to return to me an email that I supposedly sent.

You aren't. Your email address is being "spoofed" by an infected computer somewhere that DOES have your address in its address book. This infected computer could belong to a friend or a business where you have made an inquiry or done business. The virus grabs a email address from that computer's addressbook and uses it as the "originating" email address, and sends copies of itself to everyone else in the addressbook. You get the blame even though your computer is clean. Computing is fun, ain't it?

[Psycho_Bunny]

This might be a stupid suggestion but, did you uninstall the modem and drivers and then reinstall them?

Sounds to me like SP2 just overwrote a driver setting.

[montag813]

SP2 is a disgrace. I use Firewire 800 drives for video editing, and SP1 supports the wicked high-speed and SP2 KILLS it! What are they thinking in Redmond? Perhaps they are not.

[taxed2death]

Nope. I'll give that a shot.
Thanks.

[MarkL]

marked for later reading

Better read it before the 12th! lol

Mark

[Truth is a Weapon]

bump