Windows XP SP2 Goes Gold

writertype writes "PC Magazine reports that Microsoft has released Windows XP SP2 to PC OEMs after a two-day delay. A package of stories, complete with an exploration of the new update, is here. The best way for users to get the update, according to Microsoft, is to have Windows Update turned on; a CD version will be made available." Reader Critical_ writes "With all the news of SP2 being delayed, it seems like Microsoft may have pulled a rabbit out of its hat by releasing RTM on its WindowsBeta site. Neowin has a screenshot of the download page and MSFN has the release information. The final build is 2180. For those who can't download it for whatever reason, Microsoft is giving away free CDs here. Happy installing."

Comments

Go back to green

[setzman]

http://shit.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/06/2 015257&tid=201&tid=128

Re:Windows Beta site getting hammered

[RonnyJ]

Here's a little more info about the file. Size: 278,927,592 bytes MD5: 59a98f181fe383907e520a391d75b5a7

Torrent Links

[calebb]

276 Seeders, 1300 downloaders

60 seeders, 300 downloaders (Requires fileshack.org account)

6 seeders, 60 downloaders

1 seeder, 10 downloaders

p.s., I still hate the color scheme on it.slashdot.org

Re:Hmmm

[YU Nicks NE Way]

No.

As to the famous "3 out of 5" comment, this post explains that problem better than I can. Basically, the guy who published the original article appears to have installed spyware on his system, and then he's blaming MS because his spyware doesn't work.

Re:So

[wfberg]

According to that msfn.org site, Microsoft has now announced that SP2 will install on all but the PCs that were also blocked from SP1.

So, if SP1 will install, so will SP2.

In the interest of preventing other people from getting their computers hacked into to form a botnet and DDOS the planet, check out how to change the CD key and a list of CD keys.

MD5 checksum for SP2

[thalakan]

According to a post on neowin:

Filename: WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe
MD5: 59A98F181FE383907E520A391D75B5A7

The one I'm getting on a torrent has a SHA1 hash of:

GOUP55QNJCXB6LCP52RHCENPLTWKHRHW

MD5 Sum from WinBeta

[Airw0lf]

This is the MD5 sum from WinBeta. (Found at neowin.net)

WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe 59A98F181FE383907E520A391D75B5A7

Here's how they are going to do it

[WhoDaresWins]

As per the Windows XP SP2 RTM press release this is how they are going to do it -

The timing for customers to receive the Service Pack 2 download through Automatic Updates depends on a number of factors, including the customer's Internet usage, location, language and the level of Internet demand for Service Pack 2. Automatic Updates uses spare Internet capacity to progressively download updates without interfering with daily PC use. Microsoft expects to distribute Service Pack 2 to approximately 100 million PCs through Automatic Updates over the next two months.

The progresive download feature being talked about refers to the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" BITS. BITS transfers files using leftover bandwidth. For example, if you are currently using 60 percent of your bandwidth, BITS will only use the remaining 40 percent. BITS also maintains file transfers when a network disconnection occurs, or a computer needs to be restarted: When the network connection is re-established, BITS will continue where it left off.