It has not been discussed yet, and I am really curious to know everyone's opinion. In case you do not know, Microsoft if coming out with a huge update for Windows. Basically it is hopefully cure a lot of security problems with the program. I am just wondering if anyone will install it right away, or wait and see if there are any side effects with the different programs that we use. Personally I plan on installing it when I can on my computer here at the shop (with permission from the boss) just because it is kinda slow around here, and if there are any problems we will be not affected as much as when we are busy. But, what are your ideas about this update?
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
First all
Do not install this SP2 unless you do a back up. It is well documented that the SP2 will affect certain softwares that do not follow windows specs exactly.
It is said that certian dongle softwares will have a problem. This is not software specific. It will be hardware specific. In other words. My machine will run perfect while your machine may not.
Certain other general business softwares are proving to have problems with SP2 as well.
Second. SP2 is a huge collection of security updates. You very likely already have these updates if you are running autoupdate.
Most people "in the know" are waiting till well after SP2 is out and the expected tweaks are performed. There are some interet configurations that will slow down your machine as well. Most of these tweaks are designed to close multiple security holes
Posted by Jeff Green (Member # 3508) on :
So, in other words, programs such as Flexisign and Signlab that require a dongle to work may not work after the patch? Thanks for the heads up, never even thought about that stupid dongle! Posted by Fred Weiss (Member # 3662) on :
In addition, in the words of the tech guy that just delivered my new box,
"SP2's new features will also force everybody to get a legal copy of XP. I has authenticity checking built into it in a way that will prevent using an unauthorized copy."
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
From: "Gary Schare [MS]" <gschare@online.microsoft.com> Sent: 8/6/2004 2:24:52 PM There have been a number of discussions on this newsgroup regarding whether SP2 will install on non-genuine (aka "pirated") versions of Windows. Here is the official Microsoft position on this topic: We expect that nearly all Windows XP users, running genuine or pirated Windows, will have access to the security technologies in SP2. The same users that were blocked from installing SP1 - those that have used a small set of legacy pirated product keys - will be blocked from installing SP2. We believe that there are very few systems in use today that use these keys -- in other words, the pirates have moved on to other keys which we are not blocking. So how do we charaterize our policy? We want to make sure that the broadest number of people can install SP2. The nature of malicious attacks on computer users is constantly changing and we will continue to evaluate how we deal with security updates for pirated versions of Windows to best protect our genuine Windows customers. Thanks, Gary Schare Microsoft.
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
We recieved our copy of SP2 from MS this week and I've installed it on my notebook running XP Pro in order to try it out and see what we're in for when it hits the streets. I took an image of the drive prior to installing just in case. As my associate at the shop cut me a copy I haven't seen the original disk but I suspect that it is actually SP2 release candidate 2 and not the final release. On the surface it has several obvious security enhancements, I'm still digging around and generally abusing it to try and find any issues we're likely to come across. Rather than take the risk of having downtime on any machines required for production, I'd strongly advise taking an image of the drive prior to installing so that you can return the machine to that point in time with the minimum of fuss if it turns out your software/dongle has issues with SP2 HTH, David
Posted by Ron Wakefield (Member # 4816) on :
I'm with David; Imaging is the best way to ensure your ability to restore the PC quickly (so you can get back to making signs). Personally, I like Norton Ghost. It's always better to proceed with caution regarding certain patches, upgrades, and especially service packs. I you feel you must run SP2 immediately, at the very least do a backup of your data.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
REDMOND, Wash. - August. 6, 2004, 10:08:00 AM - Microsoft Corp. today announced the release to manufacturing of Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies.
This free service pack delivers the latest security updates and innovations from Microsoft, establishes strong default security settings, and adds new proactive protection features that will help better safeguard computers from hackers, viruses and other security risks.
During the worldwide rollout of Service Pack 2, Microsoft will localize the software in 25 languages over the next two months and distribute it to computer manufacturers, enterprise customers and consumers through downloads, retail installation, free CD's and on new PC's.
The easiest way for current Windows XP users to ensure they receive Service Pack 2 when it releases in their language is to simply turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP. Customers with Automatic Updates enabled will receive the latest security updates for Windows XP, along with updated installation software that will optimize the download experience of Service Pack 2 and all future updates to Windows XP. Given the long wait for XP SP2, you might be disappointed to discover that the final release isn't yet widely available. That's by design: Because hundreds of millions of people will want to upgrade to this release in the days ahead, Microsoft is staggering the availability of XP SP2.
First, beta testers received access to the final release, quickly knocking Microsoft's beta Web site to its virtual knees under the weight of all the connections. On Friday afternoon, the company provided a version of XP SP2 to MSDN Universal and Professional subscribers, via its MSDN Subscriber Down-loads Web site. And this Tuesday, Microsoft will slowly start shipping XP SP2 electronically to XP users who have enabled Automatic Updates. Microsoft tells me the size of the download via Automatic Updates will vary based on how up to date your system currently is: A typical download will weigh in at about 75 MB, but users who upgraded to XP SP2 release candidate 2 (RC2) will need to download less than 30 MB. Microsoft expects to deliver SP2 to over 100 million users via Automatic Updates. Then, later in the month, Microsoft will distribute SP2 as a critical update on Windows Update.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
A few weeks ago I received the free M$ updates CD that has all critical updates for W98 onwards up till Feb or March 2004. I filled out an online application, and it came from Singapore I think, I'm not sure.Anyhow, it also wants to update Windows Media Player into something that wants to update itself more often and has various 'barricades' built into it. I don't like the new version, and it is NOT uninstallable AT ALL. (ie reimaging is the only option if you wish to revert to a former version). That said, you can elect not to update Media Player, or any of the provided updates, as long as you wade through masses of info & fine print first, to look for all the pros & cons of each release. It was nice of M$ to provide & mail the 'free' cd. I don't think you'd call it SP2 though. Anyhow, be wary!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Ian, that sounds like the CD that I ordered after Curtis posted THIS LINK earlier this year. I checked his link to the CD & it is no longer available. Thanks for the heads up on some of the drawbacks. I put it away for emergencies & felt that auto-update has my 98 machine in good working order already.
The news that this new XP SP2 is going to be coming down the pike through auto-update is not really good news if our dongle software, among other things, may be vulnerable. I've put of dealing with buying Ghost or something & learning to use it & make a habit of imaging my drives. I guess I'll have to rethink that logic, or lack thereof, in procrastinating on that front.
Posted by David McDonald (Member # 3433) on :
Something as simple as enabling the built in Microsoft firewall (SP2 does this) will prevent a network version of Winfax from communicating your fax status. It will also prevent our HP laserjet printers from communicating their status. I know it can be disabled but what else will be affected??? We have a hardware firewall/VPN box between our cable modem and our router/hubs so we don't use a firewall on individual PCs. I've got almost 30 computers to keep running so I'm going to be cautious and wait before installing SP2.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Doug, don't delay with learning to use Ghost: it can seem scary at first attempt, as you don't know what to expect, but after a few goes, it becomes second nature.I bought the 2003 version last year, but old habits die hard and I still find myself using the old DOS mouseless one I have(version 5 I think) which easily fits on a 1.44 meg floppy disc. Anyhow, you're best learning to use it at a time when you're not stressed nor in an emergency. Defrag your C drive, then get Ghost and make an image of your hard drive,and storeit away on another partition, even if you never use that image, you can always make another image at any later time.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I sent a note to a tech friend that is a microsoft beta tester. Here is his comment back to me.....
Service Pack 2 for XP is a SIGNIFICANT system upgrade/modification. It affects a LOT!
I strongly recommend that this NOT be applied to any production PC until some time has passed for issues to be worked out AND you know for sure that the applications you rely upon for your business with not be "broken" by the upgrade (a significant number of applications ARE broken by it!).
In a number of cases, and for no currently known reason, SP2 destroys Internet connectivity for networked PC's going through a router/firewall box to get to the Internet (EVEN with the SP2 firewall and security enhancements OFF!!!). Dongles, fax programs, etc. DO present problems in some cases.
In general, one should NEVER automatically apply a new Service Pack to any production system (only to test-bed systems) until enough time has passed for fixes/patches to the Service Pack (very common!) and for YOUR applications to have been thoroughly tested with the Service Pack.
If you ARE going to "play" with it, make a FULL SYSTEM backup first!!! During testing of the two release candidates for this beast, as well as the final version released this past Monday, I've had to resort to "going back" several times on my BETA-test machine!!!
Posted by Scott Pagan (Member # 2507) on :
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