Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Thoughts on Windows XP SP2

we just informed all our customers not to install SP2, b/c our middleware can not work w/ it. all socket functionality is completely rewritten according to the middleware provider, so it will take some time to "fix" everything. of corse new machines will be coming w/ SP2 installed AND our customers tend to buy dedicated pcs, AND we have several prospective customers. this will be fun

OTOH, the wife downloaded and installed SP2 at home -- no issues that I know of so far

i installed sp2 a couple of days ago and i have had no problems yet except that i let the firewall do its thing and it immediately blocked the important features of my schools online resources. i told it to make an exception and all is now well. it seems the my underpowered laptop is running better/faster. my roommate also installed sp2 and has some those games listed and has not had a problem yet.

i just found this in my email and i thought i would share it with you guys:


Attention SBC Yahoo! customers who use
Windows XP Operating System

Dear SBC Yahoo! Member:

If you are using the Windows XP Operating System on any of your computers connected to SBC Yahoo! Dial or SBC Yahoo! DSL, this courtesy message is for you. Users of other operating systems are not affected.

In August, Microsoft Corporation will be offering Windows XP users an update called "Service Pack 2". You may hear about the Service Pack 2 update in the news, on the Internet, or by seeing prompts on your computer screen telling you to load a "Critical Upgrade" to Windows.

Service Pack 2 provides a series of security enhancements for the Windows XP operating system. These new updates and features may cause SBC Yahoo! and other software on your computer to behave differently.

Based on our testing, SBC has determined that some users will experience changes after loading Service Pack 2 when using the customized SBC Yahoo! Browser, Parental Controls, SBC Yahoo! Web mail, and Instant Messenger. SBC and Yahoo! have prepared an update for these software components that you should load to ensure compatibility with Service Pack 2.

Please copy and paste the below URL into your browser to download the software update.
http://download.yahoo.com/dl/sbcy/xpsp2fix.exe

In addition, if you are using a firewall on your XP computer, you will need to go to the firewall manufacturer's website and load any software updates they provide for Service Pack 2. Although we do not provide support for firewall software, you can find information and web-links for the major firewall companies at:
Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com
Norton Personal Firewall: http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/sp2/faq.html
McAfee Personal Firewall Plus: http://www.secureie.com/c/002/firewall2004/firewall2004_02.asp?source=goog&keyword=firewall&
If you experience changes with other software on your computer, check the software manufacturer's website for information regarding Service Pack 2 software updates.

Please refer to the SBC Yahoo! Help Site, http://help.sbcglobal.net , for more details on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and SBC Yahoo! software updates that are available for your computer.

If you want to know more about the Windows XP Service Pack 2 update, please refer to the Microsoft site at http://support.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2 or call 1.888.SP2.HELP (1.888.772.4357). If you need additional help with SBC Yahoo!, please refer to the SBC Yahoo! Help Site at http://help.sbcglobal.net

Sincerely,
SBC Yahoo! Member Services

NOTICE: SBC cares about Internet safety. Hyperlinks are omitted from this message to protect against fraudulent use. To reach the referenced sites, copy and paste the URL into your browser. Learn more about ensuring a safe Internet experience at: http://www.sbc.com/safety

Personally I wouldn't install SP2 for another few months or so. I'm a computer tech and I've been using it at work everyday since its been released on the Windows Update site. It has already crashed alot of customers computers at work. It installs and after rebooting, thats it, crashes. No way to fix the crash either except reloading the OS. It particularly crashes SATA computers. Dont ask why because I have no idea.

Also a couple of more programs I know off hand that say they are incompatible with SP2 after its installed:

Easy CD Creator 5
Nero Burning ROM 6

When you open those 2 programs after SP2 is installed it says that they are incompatible with your version of Windows.


Now for someone like me, at work its not a problem if the computer crashes, because if its getting SP2 installed, its already there to have the OS reloaded in the first place. It just takes longer to get the job done if it does crash. But for a home user who relies on their computer everyday, has no way to backup data if it crashes, or does not have much knowledge with computers, this can be a nightmare to them.

So bottom line, I dont recommend installing it for a few more months. But its your computer, just my recommendation.

Agree with your post 100%. Antonio, that list was compiled from a message board I am on about peoples real experiances with SP2. Your results could, and I guess are, different. But those programs were show to not work with SP2 on the individual's computers that posted it.

SP2 sucks, it didn't block crap from getting on my computer like it should. I think same stuff got on my roommate's comp too.

Post deleted.

If you have a good security setup(ie firewall, anti virus, spyware blockers and scrubs) you shouldn't download this till they get the bugs worked out.

If you don't have a good security setup(why don't you) I'd like to thank you for your contribution to my kids college fund!

Well fine then! I'll just delete my post! MAUAHAH i win!

It's late. I'm going to bed.