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Microsoft Delays Windows XP Service Pack 2
Rinisari writes "DesignTechnica, among some others
, explains that Microsoft has once again delayed its release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, though only until August. Microsoft has declined to comment on the reason for the delay. Windows Update v5, however, is online and operational (and works with Service Pack 1!), although not officially so. I know many smaller education institutions are chomping at the bit with the looming release, as they are worried about compatibility with some of the new features in Service Pack 2."
Speculation that warez'd copies would still be allowed to update via Windows update were at least partly wrong. You may still be able to manually update Windows with an "invalid" product key but you cannot do it via the v5 Windows Update interface.
[Error number: 0x80244028]
Cannot validate the product key
The product key used to install Microsoft Windows may not be valid. For more information about why you have received this error message, and steps you can take to resolve this issue, please visit How to Tell.
It's always been IE only.
ActiveX is only supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Hope this helps.
It won't work at all with anything other than IE, since it uses ActiveX apps to do all the checking of your machine.
It's the only thing I now need IE for.
As to why they haven't released a SP7, read this.
Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
All the fixes for known worms/vulnerabilities are out the door on windows update. Go get 'em.
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
Then, go to http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ (not v4). Just remember to make backup before you upgrade in case anything goes wrong!
Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
There were enough problems with SP2 RC2 that they are going for another test release. Whether that will be called RC3 or just RC2 with a different build number was unknown as of late last week. I personally am of two minds, one the one hand I want to see them do it right since there won't be another SP for quite some time if at all, on the other hand it would be REALLY nice if this were out in time for the college rush so that it could be made a requirement of getting on the network.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Actually, there is a small tray icon that can be used to automatically download updates without using Internet Explorer, at least in XP. Go to Control Panel: System, and open the Automatic Updates tab. Then set the schedule to your own convenience.
I've been testing SP2 since RC1 and it's still pretty buggy... the new wireless features have issues with certain products from some major manufacturers, the added browser security has (in my case) created more problems than it solves, but the new firewall features and interface are VERY nice. I just hope they work the bugs out before release, as it stands now, it's no where near ready for release to the general public IMHO.
It is not quite like windows update, in that they will still need to download them, and would probably just confuse them.
If they're running windows 2k sp3(?) or higher, or Windows XP, just turn on Automatic updating, and choose either install updates automatically, or download updates automatically and prompt to install.
Hope this helps
See http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/defaul t.asp?icp=xpsp2&slcid=us.
Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
This really isn't a troll/funny question, IMO, as I briefly wondered this myself. Version 4 of Windows Update explicitly locks out non-IE browsers with a message stating that IE is requried. Version 5, however, seems to load fine (albeit ugly), except for the fact it just displays a "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update Software..." message and nothing else. It does not seem to actually say that ActiveX or IE is required. That being said, the answer is yes, it is still IE-only, since the software uses ActiveX.
If the CIO is going to do a company-wide roll out of beta software and call it a "test", the CIO is already breaking the company.
The idea is, you build a small test lab, see what has changed and what won't work, then you create new group policy objects to handle it. You then disable the GPO until you create a new GPO that deploys SP2 to the machines. Both GPO's go live automatically, and you've covered your ass. Geez, maybe I should be CIO.
-Ryan
AUWYHSTOT (Acronyms are Useless When You Have to Spell Them Out Too)
By the way, Action Packs' licenses are only good for a year from the point of subscription. You need to renew after it expires.
On the server side, it took about 5 minutes to configure the firewall to allow the web and/ or database server to listen for incoming connections. Again, not really a big deal.
I think the only place there will be compatibility problems is on the "install this great free adware/ dialer" pages. But then again, social engineering and uninformed users are the source of most of the problems anyway. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't really like MS either, but I think the compatibility fears with SP2 are somewhat overblown.
There is a project to add ActiveX support to Firefox. Trouble is, ActiveX is the main reason for IE's security holes. (There are other reasons, like general MS sloppiness and the large installed base, but A-X is the really big one.)
I've been using RC2 for a few weeks on two separate PCs with no problems except a slightly longer boot time. (Well, fewer than with SP1.) The biggest improvement is the firewall.
As far as problems with Windows Update due to "bad keys", there is a program available that will correct this. I will not be posting a link to it for obvious reasons. I believe it's available via a torrent. I have one version called "winxp-keygenpack.rar" and another one called "xp sp1 keychanger sp2 keygen and product key viewer.rar". There are problem a dozen different file names you can find if you search a little.
Btw, I've tested it on many machines and have had no problems so far.
My system: HP pavilion ze4200, Laptop, XP-home, 1.7ghz celuron, 192mb ram.
I did a fresh rebuild, the system seemed to be very snappy. I loaded XP SP2 RC2, system seems to run noticable worse.
It seems to take longer to boot to the point where it is usable. After I long on, it seems to several minutes before I can do anything. It froze up on me to where I had to yank the battery - which is something it never used to do. Everything feels more sluggish. Maybe it would be different with a higher end system.
Also, I don't see how to turn off new features, such as firewall, or virus checker.
I have it if anyone needs a copy. email me and I'll hook you guys up =)
from InformationWeek
Need I say that's pretty beefy!