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Microsoft Lists SP2 Incompatibilities
thejuggler writes "ZDNET has a story about how the new XP SP2 causes conflicts with over 50 applications and causes problems with others including some of Microsoft's own products. The 'glitch' as they are calling it seems to be that the Windows firewall system is turned on by default and blocks unsolicited connections to your computer. You have to unblock certain ports as your applications require to make the apps work again. They are calling this a glitch, but I thought we wanted everything blocked by default so we would have to choose what was unblocked?" The BBC has a story as well.
You know what happens when SP2 blocks a connection via the firewall? It let's you know. It also let's you take the option of unblocking the program straight away. I had this problem with X-Wing Alliance and Unreal Tournament 2004. When no servers came up, I thought it was my connection, but a quick-alt tab reveals that Windows has a pop-up that actually informs you that it's blocked the game/application. So, don't be too quick to bash. Turning the firewall on by default is a good idea. I mean, why don't you go bash ZoneAlarm or a similar firewall app? It blocks all access by default, and "learns" as you use your computer more, and that's all the SP2 firewall is trying to do.
See if you can find your favoirite bug on this list!
Best Buy can have you arrested
RTFA please.
The same applications would all stop working if you installed any firewall, hardware or software, router or ZoneAlarm.
This has nothing to do with QA testing - obviously if you enable a firewall, some apps are going to stop working.
Why on earth is it microsofts QA departments fault that you can't FTP if your FTP port isn't open on your firewall?
If you think that it really is MS's fault after actually reading the article - then yes, you should be shot. Twice. Darwin save us all.
I am government man, come from the government. The government has sent me. -- G.I.R.
I've read that this sort of behavior is associated with video driver updates most frequently.
Did you have Windows Update update your drivers at the same time as it installed the service pack?
I had this same problem over a year ago. I had an nVidia Geforce 2 card with a TV out, I not have a Geforce 4 and do not experience the problem. I am running SP2 and no problems thus far.
I was able to get around it with DVD Idle Pro.
It makes it work even with the macrovision protection.
LK
"Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
Parent poster embarasses himself and does not understand that "admin" != "root" on a macintosh.
I'm a developer (open-source), and I use windows. I've had no (and I repeat: no) reason to leave. My windows installs are secure enough for me to not worry about anything. The software installs fine and works well. My multimedia works perfectly, and all my games run natively and with hardware acceleration. My machine runs apache, ssh, mysql, cvs, you name it. Multi-monitor support, hardware-accelerated GUI, everything.
I know you can do all that stuff on other platforms, but that's not the point. I can do it on Windows, so why should I change?
Not all Windows users are lazy or naive... some have found a very useable operating system that lets them do EXACTLY what they want, with no fussing.
And your last point is mooted by SP2 - the only way you can run that program is if you download and run it yourself, which can be done on ANY OPERATING SYSTEM. The auto-installs on IE are now a thing of the past (they're not auto any more, and require lots of clicking to start, with lots of big, red "X"s everywhere.)
I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I keep seeing this "windows users are all stupid, and windows is useless crap" rubbish everywhere, and it's starting to get slightly annoying :)