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Microsoft Kills Support For XP SP2
Trailrunner7 writes "Microsoft's announcement this week that it is preparing to end support for machines running Windows XP SP2 not only represents a challenge for the thousands of businesses still running SP2, but also is the end of an era for both Microsoft and its customers. It wasn't until 2004 that the final release of XP SP2 hit the streets, but when it did, it represented a huge step forward in security for Windows users. It wasn't necessarily the feature set that mattered as much as the fact that the protections were enabled by default and taken out of the users' hands."
What's wrong with SP3?
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
I ended support for Microsoft products a few years ago.
Rich And Stupid is not so bad as Working For Rich And Stupid.
NooooooooooO OOOOOOOOOOOoooooo
~Mekkah
See, You misunderstand. Microsoft and Sony have teamed up to create a new portable gaming device called XPSP2. This is just part of their viral advertising campaign designed to shock and confuse people! You fell right into it!
MS bludgeons XPSP2 to death like a small defenseless kitten.
I know you tried to make the OP look foolish but is it really that hard to write Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2?
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire
No excuse to be running XP SP2 still.
Upgrade to Windows 7 or install SP3.
Thousands of business still running SP2? Your kidding right, what do they login to their NT 4 Server and connect to the network using token ring?
"assassinates" would be better
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire
I prefer decapitates.
a new portable gaming device called XPSP2
With a name like that, it seems more likely to be a Dell/Sony combination, XPS P2.
Microsoft has had their end of life policy available on the web for ages now. Sp2 has been well known to be going EOL. If this threw any sysadmins off-guard...then wow.
The only reason I can see sticking with SP2 is that SP3 hasn't gotten an EAL rating.
said that, is also necessary to state that the millions of XP desktops and ATMs and botnets will not stop working today nor anytime soon.
I bought my copy of XP in 2002 for $150. My cost per day is down to about 5 cents, and since it's only a VM now, there's no compelling reason to upgrade to 7. All of the apps work just fine.
I used to wonder why all of these huge businesses were still on Windows NT in the early naughties. It's because it worked, and the smartest CIOs know the real truth about IT: if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. There will be unforeseen costs and bugs, and if there's not a "killer app" you're gaining for some competitive edge, you're just wasting time and money.
if you call microsoft asking for support for something that they have EOL'd, they will be very happy to point you towards a microsoft-trained and microsoft-certified consultant tech in your area who has the expertise to help you.
Trust me, MS is still getting their money, one way or another.
With a candelabra. In the Library.
Dear former Windows XP SP2 user:
Please choose one of the following Linux Alternatives, since we will no longer be supporting Windows XP SP2:
1) Linux Menu (Offers several effective Alternatives)
2) Shut off computer, unplug and install you well tested door stop on the door of your choice.
Thank You,
Microsoft
You FOOLS! You forgot the build number... now no one will have any idea what you're talking about!
"..the Library of Congress yesterday approved six exemptions to US copyright. The one most pertinent to gamers is that, for archival purposes, copy protection on software no longer being sold or supported by its copyright holder can be cracked.."
- http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/23/us-copyright-office-grants-abandonware-rights/
if not, why not? Seriously, interested..
No, it's still wrong. The only way to write it is:
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Service Pack 2
Or are the spaces before "(" also needed?
The developers of this software simply aren't ready on their end and there is no reason why a company should HAVE to upgrade just because MS wants more money or compliance (read slavery) from their customers.
If you don't like the rules of Microsoft's game, then don't run their software. Other options exist.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
Considering this IS Microsoft and Windows we're talking about, I prefer:
MicroSoft Defenstrates XP SP2 from From Support. Users told to take a flying leap.
This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
Maybe they should contact the company that supports their multi-million dollar financial software to get off their asses and fix their software.
Microsoft, for all their faults, maintains their OS API quite well. You do not see this sort of API stability from almost any other vendor. API that worked in Windows 95 still works, more or less.
OS Market Share
Windows XP 63%
Vista 16%
Win 7 12%
OSX 10.6 2%
OSX 10.5 2%
Linux 1%
Windows ME 0.03%
iPad 0.03%
OS Share Trends
Jun 2009 Win 7 1%. Linux 1%.
Apr 2009 Win 7 12% Linux 1%
close, should be Windows(TM)
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire
and you're to blame
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire
thanks :)
Next thing you know, they'll be dropping support for my MSDOS systems too!
Just because it's got the word "ass" twice in it doesn't make it better, you know.
you give love
Obama's legacy: (N)othing (S)ecure (A)nywhere and (T)error (S)imulation (A)dministration
It's merely a flesh wound!
Or defenestrates. Eviscerates?
Microsoft and Intel created a distinct competitive advantage by keeping so much software "backward compatible." I can still run DOS on my computer, but of course the only reason I do is to brag about it on /. Now, they are stuck with the monster they created, a giant albatross on their businesses, slowing every step and darkening every decision. Such is life.
Do you know how God created the universe in six days? He did not have an installed base.
Please tell us then, how long should a company support old software? Forever? Until the last user logs off? XP has been out since 2001. Are there other companies that offer support on products almost a decade old? A few of my clients run businesses on Macs, and I can tell you for damn sure that they don't. Maybe you should find fault with the 3rd party vendors that won't release software that works on new platforms. Vista has been out since 06 or 07 are you telling me that 3 years is too little time to get with the program?
heartburn?
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
doesn't it?
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire
More like, why would you need support for SP2?
If you need to reinstall XP, and your XP disc didn't have SP3 slipstreamed, then you might need support for getting Windows XP pre-SP3 working in order to install SP3.
"MS bludgeons XPSP2 to death like a small defenseless kitten."
If you mean "...a small defenseless ZOMBIE kitten that refuses to finally die." I would tend to agree.
Python: 'And then suddenly you have a language which says "we're all stuck with whatever the whiniest coder wants".'
My girlfriend had a cheap DELL Inspiron from around the 2003 or 2004 timeframe. When she upgraded to XP SP2 suddenly her performance became just terrible. She told me and I investigated, assuming a virus, or aggressive virus scanning software or something like that.. but nothing out of the ordinary was going on at all. The machine just lacked the horsepower it seemed. Google searches led me to find out that tons of other folks who bought cheap Dells were finding them crawling once they upgraded to XP2 because they could not handle all the additional services that XP2 added. So one reason not to jump to XP3 may be that you are running on very old slow hardware.
>Microsoft Kills Support
I've often thought that death was the appropriate punishment for MS Support. I'm glad that they took care of it for us.
Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
The only flaw in your plan, is that you can still buy Microsoft Windows 1.1 from Microsoft. You just can't get support for it.
Windows XP is still sold, just no support is offered, just like all the other previously expired Microsoft OS products.
Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
Seconded, more or less. There is no excuse for a business-critical app to not be compatible with SP3 at this point. Hell, there's no reason for it to not be compatible with Vista at this point. Those developers knew the end was coming, just like the rest of us.
The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
Along with the fact the article makes no mention of SP3, Windows XP was NOT a replacement for Win2K. Windows had (and is continuing to preserve) 2 separate tracks:
3 -> 95 -> 98 -> Me -> XP -> Vista -> 7
NT -> 2000 -> 2003 -> 2008 -> 2008R2
The fact they have consolidated the core (as of Vista/2008 as I recall) aside, the repeated mention of the 2000->XP lineage in the article is extremely poor reporting.
MS bludgeons XPSP2 to death like a small defenseless kitten.
...with a chair!
Woooooooooooooooooo! Woooooooooooooooooo! Developers Developers Developers! Woooooooooooooooooo!
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
LOL. That was a helpful comment. She was a poor student. MS did add a lot of new services and processes between SP1 and SP2, and did the same between SP2 and SP3, so I felt I should point this out.
I think we have a warranty act that would precede that. Maybe it's time it was tested in court.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
SP3 did NOT add "a lot of new services and processes" as compared to SP2. SP3 was merely a roll-up of all the existing patches and fixes since SP2.
And seriously, a 2004 PC that can't hack running XP SP2? Whatever she paid for it, she paid too damn much for it. That's pathetic.
- Spryguy
There are three kinds of people in this world: those that can count and those that can't
I know I'm not the only one who thinks Win2K was the peak of MS OS. All my computers... I even build a raid server recently with Win2K server.
I doubt anything will happen since you're purchasing these licenses under the condition you understand it's not an supported product anymore.
Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
We can still call the Psychic Hotline, though, right?
--
"Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
I don't consider Microsoft to be a small defenseless kitten.
Anyway, I am not sure how effective a kitten is at bludgeoning.
That would depend upon where you were purchasing it from and whether or not the shop informed you of such at the time of purchase, I'd think. There is some degree of culpability that lies upon the retailer of a product.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
BZZZZT but thanks for playing, XP was not part of the DOS track, it was part of the NT track. The correct Windows lineage is:
DOS: 1 -> 2 -> 3 (3.1 -> 3.11 -> 3.2 (it exists, check Technet) -> 4 (95 -> 98 -> 98 SE -> ME) -> Death (RIP).
NT: NT3 -> NT4 -> NT5 (2000 Server, 2000 Workstation) -> NT5.1 (XP, 2003 Server) -> NT6 (Vista, 2008 Server) -> NT7 (Win7).
XP was a replacement for Windows 2000 Workstation, which was a replacement for Windows NT4 Workstation. It's part of the NT stream and just because it replaced 98 on home machines does not make it part of the DOS/9x stream,
Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
I do like how Windows XP, possibly the most pirated Windows of all time, has build number 2600.
It just seems appropriate somehow.
"Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
Be aware that the end-of-support for SP2 isn't actually news. The date has been known ever since SP3 was released.
Just the 32bit version, 64bit XP is an entirely separate product.
My sig can beat up your sig.
And you're too late.
Baby, You give love,
A bad name.
It made you smile,
That's what you said.
You promised me heaven,
And put me through hell.
Changed your look,
Got a hold on me.
But this is a prison,
And you can't break free.
Woahh, you're a loaded gun,
Woahh, There's no where to run,
No one to save me from the deed you have done.
Shot through the heart,
And you're too late,
You give love,
A bad name.
You played my heart,
You played your game.
You give love,
A bad name
You give love,
A bad name.
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You've tried to use those stable APIs across major releases? I thought not...
No, no; you're thinking of the process used to make Service Packs.
Which cost nothing to migrate to and run everything your business depends on flawlessly I suppose.
You do not see this sort of API stability from almost any other vendor. API that worked in Windows 95 still works, more or less.
Solaris has always done great in this regard. Sun in fact has maintained binary compatibility up to Solaris 10, the current production release. It's even a guarantee.
Indeed. I've heard of Solaris 2.4 apps (1996ish) running on Solaris 10.
Or an NFS v1 client on DOS running against an NFS v4 server on Solaris 10.
Dude, if they're not going to apply a stupid patch to Quickbooks so it runs on SP3, they sure as hell aren't going to migrate to Linux.
The clash of honour calls, to stand when others fall.
Uh, that was in 2006 - that exemption is now off the books. Unless you have proof that they renewed it.
Anyone?
XP was only available for so long due to the credible threat posed by the oncoming Year of Linux on the Desktop
All the rules - including support lifecycle - were spelled out upfront when you paid the money.
So that you don't make similar mistakes in the future, here is the page which lists all released Microsoft products with their lifecycle. For example, Win7 mainstream support will be retired in 2015, and extended support for it, in 2020. Keep that in mind when you're shelling out $$$ for that box - though I dare you to find a more long-term policy for consumer desktop OSes.
The ONLY reason they end support for their OS's is to get people to buy their latest and greatest.
You do realize that "support" means, among other things, patching stuff? Which means writing code. Which means spending money.
Oh, and the date by which the support would end was immediately known to everyone at the date SP2 was first released - same as with every other Microsoft product.
This is predatory business practice ... Frankly I don't give much of a crap because what this business practice results in is more and more customers moving to alternative OS's
Go ahead, find me a software company that doesn't have cut-off dates for product support, OS or otherwise. Bonus points for finding one dealing with FOSS.
I very much doubt that you can buy Win 3.1 in a shop today.
The only flaw in your plan, is that you can still buy Microsoft Windows 1.1 from Microsoft. You just can't get support for it.
No, you can't buy it, period. That's actually the third stage of support lifecycle for most MS products, of which most people aren't even aware:
1. General support.
2. Extended support.
3. No support, but still available (this is only for products for which there's sufficient demand, so far as I know).
4. Not available. No, really. Please dig out the body of the programmer who wrote your original app 30 years ago, and make him rewrite the code to work on something that's still supported.
For example, Windows 3.11 went from #3 to #4 in 2008.
No, it's "Microsoft bludgeons Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 to death like a small defenseless kitten." Didn't you get the memo?
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it