Posted on 09/29/2006 1:46:38 PM PDT by Eagle9
Microsoft, which will end support of Windows XP SP1 in less than two weeks, incorrectly flags users running Mozilla's Firefox browser that they need to update when they visit the Windows Web site.
The Redmond, Wash. developer has warned users of the four-year-old Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) several times that it will stop all support for the operating system Oct.10, the next regularly-scheduled patch date. It has repeatedly recommended that users update to Windows XP SP2, which can be downloaded free of charge from the company's Web site.
On that Web site, however, users running Windows XP SP2 and Firefox are incorrectly told that their PCs must be upgraded. Internet Explorer users, on the other hand, are given the correct information.
"Your computer is not up to date with the latest version of Windows XP. Upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) today to help keep your computer secure," the site tells Firefox users.
IE users, however, are shown a different message: "Your computer has already been upgraded to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)."
After the Oct. 10 security updates, Microsoft will no longer distribute fixes to Windows XP SP1 users, including any meant to patch IE 6 SP1, the browser edition included with the pack. In addition, Windows XP SP1 users will not be able to update to the more secure IE 7 when that releases in final form later this year.
If you use WinXP SP1, time is running out.
Regardless, I still use Firefox and Opera.
IF you use SP1 you need to slipstream Service pack2 onto your windows cd. have fun
Any place I can get a CD of that?
The CDs to redash my system with the factory software (which is what I do when I put in a new drive after a crash) don't give me SP2.
If I won't be able to download in the future, I'm screwed.
Oh, please! Quit worrying about this nonsense, and buy a Mac!;)
I am having trouble running SP2 with Norton. I guess I don't need SP2 if have norton. I loaded it a couple years ago and I had to do a painful restore because it crashed my machine with both of them.
What about 98?
burn it to cd
Get rid of Norton. Pre-SP2 machines are stupidly easy to exploit, there are better alternatives than Norton's crap, and you're probably one of the zombie masses that are contributing to DOS and spam tsunamis.
I don't know about your particular case, but a lot of people had trouble with SP2 when it was first released. Mostly it was incompatibility with various other programs, including Norton and ZoneAlarm.
I had to take it off one of my laptops.
But these problems were eventually fixed, so it should be OK now. I say should, since every computer seems to be a little bit different, and you never can be 100% sure. But I haven't had any trouble with it for quite some time. ZoneAlarm went through about a dozen upgrades before they finally got it right, but they did eventually get it right.
98 hasn't been supported in at least 3 years.
If you're running 98, you're probably infected with virii.
I can see that being very difficult for someone who isn't computer savvy. I would hope they would release some helper app for folks who aren't the best computer users.
Also, I gave up on Norton Internet Secuiry(2006), because it was a resource hog, I switched to AVG FREE and ZONE Alarm FREE , BOTH can be downloaded from www.majorgeeks.com
I don't understand the problem. I'm a Firefox user but use IE when I need to go to the MS update site. I didn't even think it worked at all with Firefox?
its nice beacuse right after the install of the OS SP2 is installed(it turns your windows XP SP1 CD into a SP2 CD), you could always just install SP1 then install the SP2(just burn it to disk or something for safe keeping)
No need. Just download the SP2 updater/installer and burn it to a CD. When you have to reinstall Windows (and you always do) from a pre-SP2 CD, before you put the thing back online you just install SP2 from the CD.
SP2 supercedes SP1; there is no need to install SP1 before installing SP2. That's why SP2 is close to 300mb.
It doesn't, Windows Update Site requires active X controls not found in Firefox, Altough.... you can update Windows with firefox from another website(NOT MICROSOFT so.. trust but verify i guess) i have used the site before without problems here it is
OK I have a question for ALL of you computer guys out there, What do I have to do to to upgrade fron Windows ME to Windows XP or higher? AND what precautions should I take prior to the upgrade?
The link Echo Talon gave in #14 gives step by step instructions on how to slipstream WindowsXP and SP2. What it does not address is computer brand name, i.e., Dell, HP, Gateway, etc, WinXP System Restore discs without SP2. I don't know the answer. My best guess, weegee, would be to contact your computer's customer support.
O for gods sake.. with a vanilla unpatched install of XP pre-SP1, you can still download SP2 and you will always be able to. There is no emergency. All this means is that if you want automatic updates and phone support, you must first run SP2... which will always be available.
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