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

So

[Anonymous Coward]

does anyone know what incompatibilities it introduces yet?

I'm a sysadmin mulling over exactly when 'enough people' will have tested it to deploy and roll out myself.

Jabba the Lawyer

Re:So

[0racle]

I'm waiting 2 weeks. There should be enough people running many different apps in many different situations that a major problem should have popped up by then, of course they better make it public when(if) they do.

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.

So

[allio]

Who's going to be the first to test it on a slightly less than legal CD key? :D

Michael's Admission

[Anonymous Coward]

I-think-I'll-let-you-install-it-first dept.

Hmm...Does this mean Michael, Microsoft hater extraordinaire runs Windows in his spare time?

Why would he let me install it first unless he has windows himself to install SP2 later?

I think I've just exposed Michael has a hypocrite and windows user.

Re:Michael's Admission

[ejaw5]

A group of sysadmins gather in conference to debate who to deploy SP2 first. After hours of deadlock, a solution was devised:

The sysadmins arranged their seats in an inward facing circle. A secretary is called in to randomly play, pause, and resume a Windows Media Audio file on WMP9. The sysadmins randomly throw to each other the 1 SP2 cd burned last night, exclaiming "SP2! SP2" as the disc is hurled to the next holder. Each time the music stops, whoever holds the cd is eliminated from the circle and the game continues. The last person holding the SP2 update CD is the victim^H^H^H^H^H^H first admin to deploy XP SP2 in his/her department.

Time to do away with this “Service Pack”

[VidEdit]

Now that the latest major release for XP is out, it is time to do away with this "Service Pack" nonsense. This versioning is confusing to end users and has always seemed like an attempt by Microsoft to pretend that their software wasn't bug ridden, it just requires regular maintenance the way a car needs an oil change. Hogwash.

Windows Beta site getting hammered

[Zerbey]

The Windows Beta site is really getting hammered right now and giving 500 errors so don't be surprised if you can't get in. I managed to download it from eMule and I'm sure torrents will appear soon. The filename is called:

WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe

Re:Windows Beta site getting hammered

[prockcore]

Whats the rush? It's not like this is a new Pokémon card.

I beg to differ. Windows service packs are exactly like new pokemon cards.. their worth is dubious yet people have the strange urge to collect them all!

SP2 I choose you!

Re:Windows Beta site getting hammered

[Anonymous Coward]

With all due respect, why would somebody trust some random "RonnieJ" user to provide an MD5 checksum of the file?

Parent post is accurate.

[TiggertheMad]

I am still running Dos 5.0, because I'm pretty sure that Dos 6.2 has a number of outstanding bugs, and a possible security hole. I figger sometime around 2007 it will be safe to make the jump. Win 3.1 should be safe move around 2011.

Re:Torrents---which one is "right" ??

[Anonymous Coward]

One has a trojan and DDOS zombie built in while the other lacks those features.

Oh sure

[geek]

Release it on Friday night after all the tech support people have gone home. Nice one MS, bloody classic.

Re:Time to do away with this “Service Pack

[DaHat]

And saying... Red Hat 7.3, kernel: 2.6.x.y, gcc: 3.4.1, etc... is less confusing?

Hmmm...

[rtilghman]

Price for a laptop? $1500.00
Price for Win XP Pro? $299.99
Price for SP2? Free

Resinstalling Windows XP, all your programs, and all your data after SP2 renders the computer unusable? Priceless

-rt

**Congratulations to our 1,000,000,000 visitor!**

[BlueJay465]

Microsoft has been slashdotted.

I'm going to DISNEYLAND!!