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Windows XP SP2 In Release
mr_tommy writes "Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has been released to manufacturers (RTM), is available to MSDN customers, and will soon be available to all via Windows Update and Microsoft sites. At ~ 250 megs, the download is big, and Microsoft will be offering the option of getting it on CDs. The much awaited Service Pack comes with many security updates (new NX and DEP protection), extra features (firewall, security center), and improvements for Windows. New versions of IE and OE come with the release, as well as improvements in the wireless networking field. So far, the service pack seems to be very stable (no known major issues) and does seem to speed up most systems. A review of SP2 Final with some limited download links is available at Neowin.net. I'd urge all users (pirate users too) to deploy the service pack and benefit from the genuine effort Microsoft have made with regards to security in this release." We did cover this recently but since this is a major deal, we figured people would want to know more.
Holly cow, that's bigger than ALL of windows 98! I know there are a TON of improvements in SP2 but the size is kind of crazy, I guess SUS would have been a good idea even at small clients =)
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Every time they update a Microsoft O/S, the "Automatic Updates" feature is more in your face. Also, didn't I hear a while back that the "Scanning for Updates" plug-in captures and sends all sorts of extra info, like # of HD's in your comp, available space, hardware installed, etc.? Wonder what this new and improved plugin grabs.
Does anyone know where i can find a list of bugfixes that this service pack includes, in addition to the already mentioned new security features? I've been battling with USB in XP (a webcam/digicam that makes the system reboot), and got nowhere so far.
After it harassing me left and right about programs connecting to the internet. Even after letting it run for a while, it never spotted a program connecting that wasn't supposed to be.
Maybe you didn't like it, but I imagine Zone Labs are feeling pretty nervous right now...
Any excerpts from any links telling if I run a system restore point before SP2 will I be able to go back?
The above post is an editorial, the poster cannot and will not be held responsible for all or in part for it's contents
Just a friendly warning for the non-geekier readers out there: there are a LOT of bogus copies of this out on the net and P2P. Some are trojaned, some are pre-RTM. If its not the right size, md5 hash, or not digitally signed by MS and dated 8-4-04 don't install it. Have to give MS kudos on this one. The security center is a good addition, if a little annoying at first until you customize it to fit your situation. It even recognized AntiVir as my anti-virus program. System is running fine, no problems during or afer install except for a "cannot back up atapi.sys" warning (no big).
Is the juice worth the sqeeze?
I was under the impression that Microsoft had withdrawn the report, that SP2 would work on pirated workstations ? Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3774567.stm I for one would be glad if it DID work on pirated workstations for the obvious reasons (worms).
I already have a firewall, but XP doesn't care. When I try to set up a home network, it keeps demanding that I activate the XP firewall. I don't want the damn firewall! Does SP2 include an option to turn off "Idiot" mode?
While I see your point, I almost feel for Microsoft on this: no matter what they do, people are going to complain. I use Linux on my boxes, but I also have to feed and care for my wife's XP Home edition system. I will install the Service Pack and I will no doubt curse at it for a bit, but I am glad that MS is taking such a hard-nosed approach to security now. Better that than the alternative.
Ok, I've read up on the new features, think it's about damn time and all that. However I'm really wondering how this thing is going to effect all the programs my little computer repair biz have been installing since, well, always. ;) Firefox, Thunderbird, Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D, SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard, GoogleToolbar, AntiVir, Protowall, Blocklist Manager, a Firewall, etc. And the biz's which usually use a mix of Symantec/Norton alongside something even more esoteric if your unlucky.
I'm really not looking forward to dealing with this major of a Windows architecture switch, if only for the fact that most Windoze users love to find a brick wall and slam into it, even if that means insisting on using VirusScan OuttaDate straight off their Restore Disks labeled "Year 2000 Compliant!" Thanks Microsoft, long overdue fixes for Windows and job security all in one.
Jonah Hex
Horror & SciFi Erotic Nudes
I haven't downloaded that file, but doesn't MS always digitally sign their updates? If so, you could right-click on the EXE, select Properties, then go to the "Digital Signatures" tab to check the signature.
I'd hope it's signed with a key you already have from Microsoft, and has an MD5 sum that Microsoft has published on their site. If so, you can be pretty certain that you're getting the same thing that they put out. Considering that your connection to microsoft.com is going over a similarly untrusted network, you should be using similarly paranoid checks on that.
Whats really funny, is in RC2 (don't know if its fixed yet). It bugged me about every program. Except my network print server, it just blocked access to completly, without any notification. Had to turn firewall completly off to use it couldn't find any way to unblock.
Yes I told microsoft, if they listened is another story.
(Incase anyone is interested it was linksys wireless print server WPS54GU2)
Prob a full XP + SP2 CD image... .RTPatch?
:-).
But er. Why can't they learn the concept of binary diffs a la
I'm still going to wait a couple of weeks at least to see whether they have to release an SP2a before commiting to this - at least it would be good to know what scenarios it breaks in (aside from old pirate keys)....
No big rush , even the script kiddies are on holiday
SP2 does work with pirated keys. MS has given up banning "stolen" keys. Anyways, search for the Windows XP key generator for the corporate edition. There is a way to make your edition a corporate edition by editing a file before you burn your CD. Search for it on Google because MS hunts down these links so they change. And if I link to it here, then the MS moles will just shut them down even quicker.
So, use some elbow grease.
A NYC lawyer blogs. http://www.chuangblog.com/
The cd is offered for free by MS. If you don't want to download it, order it for free.
Also, Microsoft has updated their background downloading, so supposedly modem users can download this in the background (over a long period of time).
Does Microsoft post MD5 sums? I know that their they use PGP when sending out security bulletins, which I thought was a major step for them to use an outside product like that, but I don't think I've seen MD5 sums from them. They prefer to use Authenticode, IIRC.
You can never go home again... but I guess you can shop there.
As an aside, one odd change I've noticed is that instead of saying Windows XP Professional, the boot screen now says only Windows XP...
:)
Not that I'm complaining, SP2 kicks ass, but a usable IE is a long way away
By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
I don't agree with the original tinfoil-hatter's reasons, but consider this: If I host a BT link to the patch, I can put a dummy 250MB file in its place. If someone tries to download it, I know that they have an unpatched version of XP. And now I have their IP address, and I know it will take them a while to get the official patch.
Granted, it isn't like you are giving them Admin password or anything, but it is information.
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
No, that's where a handful of elitists are going. That "mebi/kibi" crap needs to go back to the hell that spawned it, and proves that engineers (apparently especially those that make up the IEC's governing body) should not be making up words, especially words like "exbibytes." Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
At best, you're being pedantic with this in attempting to defend the initial point. At worst, you're just trolling.
You can never go home again... but I guess you can shop there.