Microsoft Forces SP2 Update On All XP And XP SP1 Machines

[wolfie]

April 12th is the very last day. That’s when the clock runs, and the deadline looms. And here you thought it was April 15th. Nope, it’s the twelfth. Because we’re not talking about the day your taxes are due. Oh, no. We’re talking about the day that your Windows XP or Windows XP SP1 computer will be automatically updated to XP SP2 (Service Pack 2) whether you want it to or not. Period.

http://channels.lockergnome.com/wind...machines.phtml

[EzyStvy]

hmmmm. If you turn OFF auto "checking" then you no get updated.

[Matt_Smi]

That is pretty absurd IMO, I still have SP1 and had no plans of getting SP2 as I have heard of it not only messing up people machines but also making them slower and just “not the same”. I love the way my machine runs and don’t want to compromise that and if I noticeable ANY perceivable slowdown because of SP2 I am going to be pissed. I am also going to be pissed if it changes the way my machine is configured, for example if it turns back on a bunch of un-necessary services that I have disabled. I could care less about the extra security of SP2; I am a very safe surfer and if I am going to get a virus with my habits than I was going to get it regardless of SP2 or not. I still don’t see how they can automatically force SP2 on you if you disable a few services that windows updates needs to function, such as automatic updates and BITS. Well it looks like I am going to have to break out the SP2 CD that I got a while back and install it before this “deadline”; I wonder what MS will force on us next?

EDIT: forgot to mention about the “programs that are known to cause trouble with SP2” sticky at the top of this forum. Great two very important programs that I use are on there, my AV (NOD32) and Photoshop CS. For Photoshop it says “Program installs, but will not start.” sounds great…It seems that for NOD32 I will be fine as I have the lastest version “When this program is started on an AMD64-based computer, all network connectivity is lost. To resolve this issue, upgrade to NOD32 version 2.12.2 or higher.”

[EzyStvy]

This HUGH list was enough to convince me.


List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811113

[Panama Red]

Nothing to fear folks. I've updated over 25 machines with SP2 now with only one problem. And it was fixed. The old thread that posts the programs with known issues was posted soon after SP2 was introduced. All those software makers have had ample time to update their products to allow compatibility with SP2. The only one I had on any machines was Nero and they were quick to provide a patch. Don't make your decisions based on the opinions of a few skeptics. Remember, if you don't like SP2 you can always uninstall it. Personally, I think the changes it makes are a vast improvement over XP without SP2.

[ComputerNut]

So far I personally havent had any problems with SP2, but ive had friends and co-workers pulling out hair on why their programs arent working. In the end, SP2 was the culprit. Doesnt seem fair to those people who constantly use these programs which fall under the SP2 incompatibility list.

just my 2 cents,
CN

[RJ]

If you don't use AutoUpdate, you won't get SP2. The only thing that changes at April 12th is that you can't use an SP2 blocker anymore. Means, getting all updates but SP2 on Windows Update.
It's IMHO no big deal. I mean, whoever uses the AutoUpdate, wants his PC to be automatically updated. And whoever turned AutoUpdate off, will not be bothered with it.

The way of saying that "you get SP2, whether you want it, or not.", is IMHO way too exaggerated. You just can't block it in AutoUpdates anymore, that's all.

RJ

[Marke522]

I love it, I think it's a great idea to have it installed on all computers. The average user has no idea what they are doing on a computer or how to use it properly, and having SP2 will make it safer for everyone on those people's email list. My mom had an infected computer but she said it didn't bother her. Her Norton found some kind of virus but couldn't delete it and she just left it there. I tried to tell her that if she isn't working to solve the problem, then she is part of the problem, unknowingly sharing the file with many other people. I think having SP2 will prevent some of that.

Although if those people install it while they are infected allready, they might have issues and think it is because of SP2. I had one computer that was stuck in restart, but it had a virus that I knew of. I was able to get back into the pc using the repair install.

[wolfie]

Marke522 totally agee with you. with xp2 people will see what a firewall and virus protction is and why you need it. ask most people what a firewall is and they go "what"

[Matt_Smi]

Originally Posted by Marke522 The average user has no idea what they are doing on a computer or how to use it properly, and having SP2 will make it safer for everyone on those people's email list.

I actually agree here too, for the average computer user who has no clue about security (IE most computer users) it is a good thing. I have auto updates disabled so as long as I don’t automatically get it forced upon me I have no problem. I plan to install it eventually, but am probably not going to until I do a clean re-install of windows on my computer and by then SP3 may be out!

[Marke522]

If you run Belarc Advisor, www.belarc.com , after you install SP2 and run all the updates ( I believe there are about 10, maybe a bit more now), the program will tell the user that they have SP3 installed.

I thought that was kinda weird, cause M$ hasn't really mentioned SP3 yet, at least not that I am aware of. Perhaps all the updates will be packed together later and placed on another cd.

Matt, I would use the cd to install SP2 when you decide you want it. I didn't have good luck with the download the only time I tried it. The cd has never failed me. I put it on a computer last week for someone that did a system recovery on his Compaq, and his computer is running a lot faster now. The speed test went up to a 4.8 mbps from a 2.8, and I could tell it was also running other applications faster when I was done with it. But that might be in part because I tinkered with it a bit while I had it.