Windows XP SP2 Released

[kirupa]

Hey everyone,
For those of you interested in giving SP2 a shot, you can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx A review and screenshots can be found here: http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_sp2.asp

A lot of the features seem useful - especially the IE updates. I'm just waiting for XP Reloaded also :) I heard that XP Reloaded will be a free update to current XP users. Wohoo!

I haven't tried the SP2 patch yet. I probably won't try it until school ends anyway.

Update:
You can download the final version of XP SP2 from Windows Update:
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

The support area for it:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2

Cheers!
Kirupa :block:

[senocular]

So they have deceided to do the reloaded thing? I was unaware of that. Thats good, I think, especially if free.

I'll be sure to get SP2 when it officially comes out. I dont think Ill bother with the preview. They seem to have had a high focus on security, so thats a good thing... considering we're talking about MS here ;)

[kirupa]

hehe true - yeah, rumors are that Reloaded does exist and that it will be free. The link I posted to WinSuperSite has a FAQ section about Reloaded. MS still denies it, but I am sure they will release a free interim upgrade before Longhorn hits shelves :block:

[peveedotcom]

*downloads now*

[prstudio]

Awesome thank you Kirupa - our office has been awaiting something like this lol.

:)

[kirupa]

I think this link and the download have been up for quite some time. I just recently found out about it also :)

[prstudio]

Some of you might be interested in this as well:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

Free CD with all of the patches/updates from the following year on it.

You just have to fill in the shipping information. It would be handy in case you have to reload XP and don't want to download all of those updates again ;)

[minimalistik]

Just like to add this note to the thread:
http://www.scarletmedia.net/articles/iechange.htm

It explains, since security was a issue for sp2, the link focuses a sites using [js] popups.

[kirupa]

Have you installed SP2 by any chance? I may give it a shot sometime this week if you or others were able to get it working without any major pre-release issues :)

[Jeff Wheeler]

I read somewhere that ie is going to make it so that to see any active x like flash or quicktime it's gonna have a little pop-up that says "Do you want to see this active x applet" or something like that, just some kind of warning. It'll stink if that is true, not sure though! :*(

and by the way, admins, why do you have the lightning bolt on the icon list twice?

[kirupa]

No , I don't think SP2's IE will have that feature.....where did you read about that? If it is a security zone setting, I am sure you can disable that.

I'll remove the lightning bolt :)

[Jeff Wheeler]

ok, I want to say pcworld but I'm almost positive that's wrong... so no idea, it's probably not right, and yes I think it will be able to be disabled if it the case but it'll be default and lots of people aren't very smart with computers and might not know about prefs. lol

and thanks for the lightning bolt

[kirupa]

I haven't heard any mentions of it in any of the SP2 reviews, so I'm guessing it was not enabled by default :)

[eyezberg]

He's talinkg about Eolas patent, which is dismissed for the moment..
Nice to see there's a preview,
means the final release is only ... months? away :)

[kirupa]

I think Paul Thurrott's site mentions around the middle or end of May.

New screenshots: http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_sp2_rc1.asp

I am really glad that they fix the pop-up and automatic download problem with IE.

:)

[kirupa]

Well, I couldn't wait, so I installed SP2 earlier this evening. Everything works great, and the IE pop-up blocker is excellent. I haven't had any problems with the firewall, so it seems to be great :)

Cheers!
Kirupa :ub:

[eyezberg]

Good to know, but I'll wait a bit nevertheless, May sounds ok, so you provide more feedback after some days of intensive usage..
It is tempting tho' ..

[minimalistik]

Very tempting :D

[barge]

Do you need the SP1 update? Or is the SP2 the entire package? I am guessing that they are seperatte updates.

[kirupa]

I am not sure, but I would not be surprised if the update is cumulative in that it contains fixes for SP1 also. Only one way to find out :) The installer may prompt you on whether your version is compatible with SP2.

[barge]

I see, thanks kirupa.

[kirupa]

So after several weeks of using it, I am really glad I spent the 20 minutes upgrading to SP2 Preview. The pop-up blocker is excellent, I was able to find compatible versions of the uxtheme.dll from which I can skin the OS, the updated Windows firewall is far better than the one in SP1, and my system has not crashed under the new, beta configuration. (My system was stable prior to installation also though)

Somebody asked about the ActiveX pop-up that warns you each time you view a page containing Flash, Java, etc. That does not happen if you are surfing the net or view a site such as this or any other flash site. When you are previewing your Flash files locally via your browser, you do get a prompt informing you that it is unsafe for you to run such files locally. I think changing a setting in your Internet Options fixes that.

The newer dialog boxes for downloads are pretty neat also :) The release date has been postponed by about a month though, so you may have to wait a few extra weeks for the official SP2.

Cheers!
Kirupa :ub:

[arturziyalov]

I just found the link if anyone wants to be the first to get it, I dont think it has officially been released, this is the preview version Click Here (http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/a/f/5aff45ae-ef27-4821-b666-d2b6530cbe4f/xpsp2.exe)

You can learn more about it HERE (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx)

;)

[kirupa]

Hey art!
I merged your thread with one I created on this very topic a few weeks ago. I really like SP2, and I haven't had any issues with it since I installed it on my primary laptop.

Cheers!
Kirupa :ub:

[The_Vulcan]

I had a problem with it when I installed it....

It wouldn't let me view any web sites, DNS error for everything.

Lucky since I didn't have an undo that reinstalling it solved the problem....

Love the pop up blocker !

[arturziyalov]

Kirupa is the SP2 working fine? Because I dont want to risk downloading it when it's in beta version. I think I might wait until Fall when they release the stable version. I just wanted to ask you if you noticed any bugs on your laptop since you installed it?

[kirupa]

Kirupa is the SP2 working fine? Because I dont want to risk downloading it when it's in beta version. I think I might wait until Fall when they release the stable version. I just wanted to ask you if you noticed any bugs on your laptop since you installed it?Yeah - I am having no issues with SP2. Today I woke up and realized that MS automatically downloaded and installed SP2 Release Candidate 2 for me automatically because I had the Automatic Updates enabled.

I'm very happy with it :)

[Frittz]

Got to admit it. I've had fewer crashes or lockups! I like it thus far. The firewall almost seems capable. :P

[fiery_rockstar]

I download SP2 a few days ago and installed it. My computer is mostly used for games and it used to crash every 4 - 5 hours or so... I havn't had one crash! Not a single one! I prefare this to the mac now! :D

[arturziyalov]

I dont have any issues with SP2 so far, but Windows is unable to recognize my Antivirus Software. I have Systemworks Pro 2004, so Antivirus 2004 Pro is bundled, when I open the Security Center under Control Panel, Firewall and Automatic Updates are on, but next to the Virus Protection it says Check Status and under that it says Norton Antivirus reports that it is installed but its status is unknown, but my Antivirus is enable in the taskbar, its kinda weird that Windows doesnt recognize its status. Any suggestions on how to fix it so Windows can recognize it? Thanx for the help.

[kirupa]

Artur - I have that message displayed next to the AV area also. If you do not get a prompt in your system tray urging you to use AV, you shouldn't be too worried. I have NAV running all the time, and Windows says its status is unknown.

[fiery_rockstar]

I discovered a very weird problem... when I installed SP2 I noticed my fans were going a wee bit haywire, well I never took any notice.. It was a hot night- I thought it was obviously something to do with that.. well anywho, few nights on all the fans were on full speed constantly (heat sensitive fans..) so I got the side off and cleaned it, made a differnence for a few hours then it just started overheating again. So last night I uninstalled SP2 just to see what would happen and as soon as I restarted all went silent as the fans calmed down.

I don't get it though, normally when your computer is overheating its overheating because its working hard, so it then begins to slow down, but it wasnt, it was always running like it had just been switched on... very weird... has anybody else found anything like this?

[kirupa]

Fiery - are you on a laptop by any chance? SP2 could have set your Power settings to be Always On, and that could have disabled your CPU's speed adjusting feature such as Intel's SpeedStep. In other words, your CPU could be running at full speed even when it doesn't have to be.

I have not had the same problem though, but I guess that could be something to do with it :)

[GW02]

Doesn't sound like he's on a laptop: "I got the side off"

Sounds like a desktop PC to me.

But are your fans normally hardware or software controlled? Did you have to install anything on your computer to get the fans to be heat-sensitive (Motherboard Moniter, Fanspeed, whatever)?

[fiery_rockstar]

@ Kirupa I'm on a desktop so probably not and @ Gwing the fans just control themselves, theres no way of changing their speeds manually so I dun o whats going on :S

[kirupa]

I have no idea what may be causing that then. I guess it could be some SP2 program such as the firewall that is zapping CPU power all the time while the PC is running :pa:

[fiery_rockstar]

Yeah thats all I can think off. It sucks cause my pc was running so much better with it installed :(

[kirupa]

You could try reinstalling SP2 and "Ctrl + Alt + Del + End Process" any process that you don't think you need. You can always restart if you kill the wrong process :)

[fiery_rockstar]

I tried doing that and it didn't make a difference :|

[kirupa]

Do you have a way of checking the temperature inside your PC using software? I found this program that helps control fan speed: http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php You could try that program, but I would rather have it working without having to install a 3rd party program.

[ruski_flasher]

wouldnt it be better just to wait for longhorn, its coming out next year..

[fiery_rockstar]

what exactly is longhorn?

[kirupa]

Longhorn is the next version of the MS OS, and it won't be out for a while. You can see some cool pictures of it here: http://www.kirupaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56361 The beta is supposedly coming out next year, but it will be 2006/2007 before it hits stores. So, don't wait for Longhorn now hehe.

XP SP2 fixes a ton of performance issues, and you will be better of with XP SP2 for now. It is still a technical beta, so fiery - your problem could be related to it not being the final version :)

[fiery_rockstar]

Yeah... I guess I'll find out when SP2 is officially released. Longhorn looks quite good... Maybe it'll actually work the way it's supposed to!

[simononestop]

I know my other post was closed so I will post my concern here,

The only reason I reposted was due to the fact that Microsoft just sent us documentation explaining that sp2 (we are gold partners with Microsoft) which still hasn’t been officially released will have some major security changes. and that we need to test all our sites / apps that we have developed with the new version they sent yesterday, to make sure we make relevant changes so they continue to work, we have a month to do so.

The thing is Microsoft have never done this before ever they just change stuff and send documents they have never given prior warning, so naturally we all got worried.

I dont understand kirupa saying "rogue Active x controls" I mean the security settings have been stripping our flash movies out of pages before. and they have also stopped streaming media in our sites before due to the use of active x controls.

[AndyField]

Just to add if you want to disable the local Flash-blocker (for want of a better term for when the new Internet Explorer blocks your Flash when you preview it) you should press:

Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Then scroll down and tick the option: "All active content to run files on My Computer".

I don't know the wider security implications of this though and there have been a few XP SP2 'scare stories' recently:
http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20040719S0001
http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/breakingnews.jhtml?articleId=23905071

Nevertheless I'm been using the update for a few weeks now and find it excellent. C:-)

[senocular]

PC Magazine (http://www.pcmag.com/) is reporting (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1631268,00.asp) that Windows XP Service Pack 2 has went gold and has been released to manufacturers. It will soon start going through windows update and there will be a website to order the CD (2 of them) if downloading is not an option.

[fiery_rockstar]

[fiery_rockstar]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9BE921B3-585E-47D9-BCC1-980879B69B34&displaylang=en oooooooo shiiiiiiney... Maybe this will sort out my fan problem *downloads*

[kirupa]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9BE921B3-585E-47D9-BCC1-980879B69B34&displaylang=en oooooooo shiiiiiiney... Maybe this will sort out my fan problem *downloads*I'm not so sure. It is Build 2149 and still RC2, and the final should be available via MS's servers in a few weeks. Doesn't hurt to try though :cap:

[eyezberg]

"Aug 2, 2004: Windows XP SP 2 Release Candidate 2 (RC2) Removed from the Web

This signifies the end of the pre-release distribution program in anticipation of the final release of SP2. Windows XP SP2 remains on schedule for release this month.

We recommend that you not install the RC2 version of SP2 on computers that are running the latest security updates. Instead, install the final version of Windows XP SP2 when it becomes available. Installing the RC2 version of SP2 on computers that already have the latest security updates installed can cause incompatibilities. The final release of SP2 will be compatible with all previously installed security updates. "

[kirupa]

Guess I'll be reformatting my PCs...again :P

[kirupa]

You can download RTM versions of XP2 now: http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?id=23138&category=main :)

It's not officially from MS yet, so you may want to wait a bit if you feel like not taking the risk and checking the MD5 sum to make sure that the file is authentic.

I'm going to wait though :evil:

[fiery_rockstar]

*downloads* I'm buying a new hard drive so I'll have to reformat if it messes up anyway :P Wish me luck :)

I'll let ya'll know how it goes :)

[hey_suburbia]

Here is the official download from the Microsoft servers:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

[fiery_rockstar]

Well after some testing I'm not really impressed... On the net, when I click a link the computer is taking about 5 seconds before it actually tries to load the page from the net. Also, when I recieve e-mails with pictures they wont display for some reason. Booting windows takes some time and generally the computer is running slower. The fans are calm though :P

Oh, however, before I used to get explorer crashing all the time especially when I was running Flash MX 2004 or WinMx but that hasn't happened once... yet

[kirupa]

Is this the same computer that once had the SP2 Beta installed on it also? I think MS recommends people to not install SP2 over the SP2 beta.

[fiery_rockstar]

Yeah it did at one point have SP2 Beta installed... it was uninstalled prior to this installation. Do you think that would make a difference?

[kirupa]

Maybe. I read on other computer/hardware forums where users had similar issues such as yours when installing SP2 over an installed or even uninstalled SP2 Beta version. That's why I am not planning on installing the final SP2 until I do a clean format...which won't be for a while :)

[kirupa]

Just to see what would happen, I installed SP2 final over SP2 Beta, and everything continues to work well :) So I am not sure why you were having those issues fiery. Hope you got your Japanese language issue with XP resolved!

[shadow77]

I just slipstreamed XP Professional with SP2 and did a reformat.. it's running great, I've noticed almost a 30% increase in performance over SP1. I've heard SP2 has better memory management and most (if not all) of the main Windows files have been recomplied so that could be why.

Specs are P4C 3.0GHz, 1GB RAM PC3200 Dual-Channel, R9800 Pro @ XT

[kirupa]

I'm planning on slipstreaming an install in a few days. Paul Thurott (winsupersite) wrote a pretty good article on slipstreaming, so those of you who don't know how to install XP SP2 on a clean format along with Windows may want to give that a shot :)

[fiery_rockstar]

My computer is completly fooked, have to reformat at some point. I'm starting to think theres a possibilty that I wrecked one of my RAM chips... lets not go there...

[minimalistik]

I going to get the cd, im sure its free the last time I checked. Im not going to dlowd it when its 260mb on 56K, eshhh. I going to definitely reformat im computer some time soon, too much crap.

[prstudio]

well i just installed it, and things are much faster
startup was better -
and the application core seems to be better -

will check in if anything weird happens.

[love police]

has anyone slipstreamed it?

i did it yesterday and installed it today to a new install. and during the copying of new files it said a few files were missing and i just pressed esc to continue. everything seems to be going well.

this firewall is very cool.

[Krilnon]

Well it looks like people will now be able to get SP2 from Automatic Updates. Apparently its a smaller file than the network administrator stuff you could download earlier.

You can merge these(this and the SP2 preview) threads if you want mods.

[kirupa]

merged and renamed the threads :)

[Krilnon]

Thanks!

Does anyone know how to remove that stupid, "Your firewall is not on" icon in the taskbar? I hate it like I hate....Clip Art.... or something VERY evil like that.

(Nvm, I fixed that)

[bodyvisual]

so do those of you who've downloaded it say it's a definate good thing? i've heard mixed things...

to get it or no....

:p:

[Krilnon]

I would recommend it. After the first half hour or so of being pissed off at it because of everything it tries to do for you, you can disable what you want gone. Then you can see that things in general seem to run a bit faster. I think more processes are running by default...

[love police]

ofcourse its a good thing.

dior.

[kirupa]

I like it a lot, and I don't seem to have any of application incompatibilites that a few others have had. Give the download a shot, and if it doesn't work out well for you, system restore back to your PC's pre-SP2 state :)

[GW02]

There doesn't seem to be any difference between SP1 and SP2 after I disabled the firewall and other security junk... (I trust my hardware firewall for that task)

Anyone notice any actual difference in performance?

[bodyvisual]

hmmm... i ordered the CD, but that won't get here for 4 weeks, and i am _no way_ downloading it on 56k, even over night...

is there an exe to d/l online somewhere? i may hit this at school tomorrow, on the T1 :cool:

[prstudio]

performance gains yes - no problems here whatsoever and browsing the web is better, and XP is handling spyware a lot better

[minimalistik]

Isnt it the inital download of the file from winupdate 75mb but the total after install is 256mb? hmm.

[.soulty]

performance gains yes - no problems here whatsoever and browsing the web is better, and XP is handling spyware a lot betterhey dude any problems with apps? adobe range, macromedia range, 3d apps?

[prstudio]

nope none at all -

can't speak for 3d yet - but no problems anywhere.
photoshop and flash are fine :)
so are all my audio programs - everything

[love police]

you have to get the update for nero 6 if you have it.

[UNFLUX]

just installed it...wish me luck

[Krilnon]

Good luck!

[bodyvisual]

gl unflux :P

[teet]

is there an exe to d/l online somewhere? i may hit this at school tomorrow, on the T1

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

download from here and burn :)

-teet

[.soulty]

installed the service pack...

seems ok, had to get updates for Style xp.. be back if any more changes are needed

[Krilnon]

I had to update style xp too. Imagine that!

[.soulty]

i thought i heard that internet explorer windows were tabbed? if so how do you turn on the feature?

[bodyvisual]

ctrl+click on the link?

:p: ==> soulty ;)

[Krilnon]

Doesn't work in IE...

[eyezberg]

Just thought I'd mention this here:
Macromedia have their own support page for SP2 and Flash-related questions:
http://www.macromedia.com/support/service/servicepack2.html
Might answer some questions..

[kirupa]

i thought i heard that internet explorer windows were tabbed? if so how do you turn on the feature?If you want that functionality you can use a program such as AvantBrowser or MyIE2 that simply adds some extra features like tabbed browsing to your IE.

[gez]

I just installed SP2, and I noticed when you publish as preview (HTML) in MX 2004, it gives you a "Active Content" warning and makes you click and say "Allow active content" before you can see it. Not a big deal, just another MS annoyance.

[kirupa]

You can disable that by going to Tools | Internet Options || Advanced. Scroll down and check the box for "Allow Active Content to run in files on My Computer" :)

[Rockstar]

After I installed sp2 on my laptop, I have problems especially with my internet connection, often time if my laptop goes hybernate then i log back in, I couldn't connect to the internet [I have disabled zone alarm pro]. The only solution is to restart.. [now I'm glad to have afast notebook]. However my desktop pc seems ok and doesnt has this probelm at all.

I also have a problem connecting to my webserver from dreamweaver I don't know why.
Also on my pc desktop, using photoshop cs, everytime I hit ctrl+alt+shift+S [save as web] I have to wait for 5 seconds before the dialog box pops up. 5 secs sound nothing, but it's getting annoying if you're really in a hurry.

[prstudio]

when you go into hybernate xpsp2 shuts down internet, then reopens it once you come back -

dreamweaver webserver problem has to do with the firewall settings and the ports dreamweaver uses.

the photoshop problem, unless you can find it somewhere is not related.

[mdjstudios]

god, i am not liking this sp2 so far. the wuauclt.exe aka auto update prog. is bugging me and my maxium download speeds are worse than a 56k modem and i cant be downloading any 2 or more songs or anything. ugh, anyone know how to fix that cr*p?

[prstudio]

turn off windows updates :)

and downloading songs? don't need to be doing that anyways ;)

_seriously people if you install this thing you need to read it - the security center is thoroughly explained at installation and online about windows update running and ports in the firewall

[serkios]

SP2 crashed my harddrive into a STOP error...:scream:

[mdjstudios]

kinda off-topic but does anyone know how to import the favorites from IE to mozilla? firefox*

[kirupa]

kinda off-topic but does anyone know how to import the favorites from IE to mozilla? firefox*Have you tried File | Import in FF and Mozilla? And yes...your question is off-topic :evil:

[Digitalosophy]

Funny, I've only heard nasty things about this until I read this thread. A freind of mine had to reformat after installing it (not sure if he just doesn't know what he's doing). i guess I give it a shot too. :)

[jw06]

MS Got Smart? none of my downloading cleints work anymore :O even with the new SP2 Firewall disabled. Could microsoft have finally figured it out? Good Idea yes.. But it sucks!

[serkios]

Okay I've had problem #2 and #3 now with SP2. #2: Each time I boot into windows it displays my desktop but nothing else and hangs. I have Cntrl- Alt-Del to bring up Task Manager, close explorer and then do a New Task and run explorer again...then it works! Bah!

#3: iTunes will no longer loads. I'm really pissed about this one. Just opens a "~e5d141.tmp" file and hangs at 1,776K mem use. WTF? (#1 is up a few posts..had to buy a new SATA drive to save my files)

I'm ready to reformat once more, put on original Win XP and leave it alone.

[serkios]

In relation to my previous post I found this:

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1624962,00.asp

[fiery_rockstar]

I did a reformat and immediatly installed SP2. It works a treat. As for downloading, I use Winm (http://www.winmx.com)x and my downloads have never been faster. I now get about an extra 3k/s (not much but makes a difference). Upon saying that one of my friends did a reformat and installed SP2 and it completly messed up his computer, so I guess I was just lucky...

Johnny

[love police]

does anyone else have a little yellow shiled in there system tray area with the exlamation mark on it. which says downloading updates.. mine has been at like 0% for like 3 days now..

[mdjstudios]

i heard that SP2 makes P2P file sharing downloads super slow. i dont use p2p programs but when i download files off of download.com it makes my av. speed like 8kbps.. but if you do use p2p sharing and the speeds are very slow, then you can download this a patch that will make your top speeds normal. my friend used this patch and it worked like a charm for him.

http://www.lvllord.de/?url=tools&lang=en - for instrucitions
http://www.lvllord.de/?url=downloads&lang=en - for the patch.exe

[bodyvisual]

well, my SP2 cd that i ordered from microsoft came in the mail today.. very quick considering i ordered it last friday i think.

so should i install it? i'm nervous, having read some of the things posted...

from ppl that use it - is it definatly worth it?

thx :p:

[kirupa]

well, my SP2 cd that i ordered from microsoft came in the mail today.. very quick considering i ordered it last friday i think.

so should i install it? i'm nervous, having read some of the things posted...

from ppl that use it - is it definatly worth it?

thx :p:Yes - it is definitely worth it. I'll put on my voodoo mask and dancing boots and do a weird chant/dance hoping that your installation works well.

[serkios]

I'm wondering if anyone has had any of these symptoms post SP2. (these problems still occur after I reformatted and only applied SP1)

1) WMI constantly crashes every few minutes
2) When I try and launch iTunes it just hangs and nothing happens. No new processes are started. (I already tried opening the .exe itself instead of shortcut, no go)

It makes no sense to me that these problems only started happening once I installed SP2, and continue to occur even after a reformat and clean installtion of Windows XP w/o SP2. I'm on an Intel D865PERL motherboard P4 2.8. Everything was fine until SP2!

[.soulty]

i install the upgrade and it works fine, had not problems with itunes at all . Make sure you have the newest version of itunes, that may help.

[love police]

does anyone else have a little yellow shiled in there system tray area with the exlamation mark on it. which says downloading updates.. mine has been at like 0% for like 3 days now..
anyone?

[bodyvisual]

upgrade meaning itunes has an upgrade?

hmmm... i dunno what i'd do w/o itunes... must have it or death..

thanks kirupa :D i'll install it later tonight and let you know how it goes :P

peace

[.soulty]

yeah iTunes is up tp 4.6.0.15

[bodyvisual]

that's the version i have, soulty.

[prstudio]

love police does it tell what program it is apart of?

[andy-_-]

anyone? my mate had the same problem, win upd was trying to download sp2 for him but it just stood still.
downloading sp2 from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/5/165b076b-aaa9-443d-84f0-73cf11fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe
solved the problem :)

[redanchor]

I installed it last night without backing up a lot of my current files, which I keep on the desktop, and my computer refused to successfully start itself back up completely. On powerup, before the windows login screen, it repeatedly shut itself down and attempted to reboot again. Scary. So, I had to go in through windows recovery console on the xp disk and uninstall the sp2, which got me back into windows where I could finish the uninstallation. Computer runs fine now.

I know it's been said a thousand times, but back up your sheet.

[love police]

my mate had the same problem, win upd was trying to download sp2 for him but it just stood still.
downloading sp2 from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/5/165b076b-aaa9-443d-84f0-73cf11fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe
solved the problem :)
but i already have sp2 on....

[fiery_rockstar]

Just a thought: Who has a proper bog standard factory computer and who has a home built style computer? Out of those who has SP2 and has problems?

[bodyvisual]

I installed it last night without backing up a lot of my current files, which I keep on the desktop, and my computer refused to successfully start itself back up completely. On powerup, before the windows login screen, it repeatedly shut itself down and attempted to reboot again. Scary. So, I had to go in through windows recovery console on the xp disk and uninstall the sp2, which got me back into windows where I could finish the uninstallation. Computer runs fine now.

I know it's been said a thousand times, but back up your sheet.
just b/c i am paranoid, could you tell me what commands you used to uninstall sp2 in the recovery console?

thx m8 :)

[serkios]

In my woes with XP SP2 I contacted Microsoft and they recommended this as a safer procedure for installing SP2:

Step 1: Download and install SP2
=======================

1. Please visit the link below to download SP2 to your local hard drive.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/5/165b076b-aaa9-443d-84f0-73cf11fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe

2. When the File download window appear, please click Save button, and then local to a direction in Save as windows to download the SP2 setup file in the local computer.

Step 2: Log onto the computer in Safe Mode
==============================

1. Restart the computer.

2. Keep pressing the F8 key until the Windows Startup menu appears.

3. Choose Safe Mode, and press Enter.

4. Run the computer in Safe Mode, and double click the SP2 setup file to install SP2 from the local disk.

Note: In Safe Mode, your system display and Desktop will look and perform differently than in Normal Mode. This is only temporary.

Thank you for your cooperation on this issue. I appreciate your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Martin Wu

v-mwu@mssupport.microsoft.com

Microsoft Windows Support Professional

[prstudio]

fiery: mine is customed built and i have no problems :)

it actually runs faster lol.

[kirupa]

fiery: mine is a dell (desktop and laptop), but the desktop's hardware has been updated and modified over the past two years.

[fiery_rockstar]

Well my thinking is that if you install Windows on a computer with a lot of external hardware connected it tends to hang and mess up on you. So maybe the same thing is happening because Microsoft can't design SP2 with every hardware configuration possible. Just a thought...

[prstudio]

thats a good point - if they were older machines...

nowadays a lot of the problems such as the ones listed above are due to corrupt system files and libraries at the time of install...SP2 replaces a lot of those with re-compiled streamlined code, that is actually more efficient, but that doesn't stop some bad files from hiding under the radar.

that's why a lot people are actually "reformating" and then installing, saying that is easier...because that eliminates the possibility (hopefully) of corrupted files.

it's surprising how much trouble is caused by all of the system files.

[arturziyalov]

I heard Microsoft is trying to fight p2p programs and in SP2 they programmed it to block p2p ports? Is that true can anyone clarify that?

[kirupa]

The firewall blocks 3rd party programs from accessing the net unless you grant the 3rd party program permission. You will be prompted with a dialog box asking you if "X Program" should be allowed to access the internet.

[love police]

I heard Microsoft is trying to fight p2p programs and in SP2 they programmed it to block p2p ports? Is that true can anyone clarify that?
you just gotta know what ports to open. :D

[GW02]

I heard Microsoft is trying to fight p2p programs and in SP2 they programmed it to block p2p ports? Is that true can anyone clarify that?

I think what he was referring to was the TCP/IP connection limit (10), which greatly restricts the efficiency at which p2p programs operate at. There are home-made patches available to increase the limit, but anything more than 50 is not smart. They decreased it because it DOES help security...

[bodyvisual]

...what homemade patches?

:p:

[Napoly]

hey guys.. i installed SP2 and I can't delete new messages in my mail box... it's like some windows security doesn't let my comp to send 'delete' informations to my e-mail.. i tried to turn off the firewall in windows security center but it's still not working.. help me out please.. thx

[prstudio]

are you using outlook to retrieve your mail from a pop3 server?

for instance using outlook to connect to an email account that is on a server somewhere?

btw, I'm part Czech- actually bohemian/Czechoslovakian...the country hadn't split back then.

[Napoly]

I'm not using outlook.. I just go on one page (www.atlas.sk (http://www.atlas.sk/)) where I can access to my email account..

Yep.. I'm part Hungarian/Slovakian.. I live in (Czecho)Slovakia all my life.. (my family also).. I was born into communism.. When I was 4 years old communism fall apart.. (1989) And from 1992 we have Czech republic and Slovak republic.. both countries are now in Europe Union.. So it's look like people in old Czechoslovakia gonna have better life.. :)

[DarkChild]

i'm actually not satisfied with sp2, i installed it on my laptop and on my pc, but my laptop is now all messed up. it's a kinda old laptop (intel celeron 800) but before i installed sp2 i could watch dvd's without flaws, and now suddenly i can't watch dvd's anymore, i even have problems with watching regular divx movies, formatting laptop right now :) satisfied of sp2 on my regular pc though :)

[newhopekenny]

SP2 sucks at a few things...

...but it's made program launches (Flash, Photoshop, etc.) almost instant. And boot time is down to just a few seconds. Go XP.

The security features only inhibit the ones who don't know enough about it to change them, and those are usually the ones who could use a little extra protection. ;)

[prstudio]

I'm not using outlook.. I just go on one page (www.atlas.sk (http://www.atlas.sk/)) where I can access to my email account..

Yep.. I'm part Hungarian/Slovakian.. I live in (Czecho)Slovakia all my life.. (my family also).. I was born into communism.. When I was 4 years old communism fall apart.. (1989) And from 1992 we have Czech republic and Slovak republic.. both countries are now in Europe Union.. So it's look like people in old Czechoslovakia gonna have better life.. :)
Napoly,

I will look at that website. Right now it appears that it might be a flaw on their end. The only thing I can think that would stop such a delete action would be an activex control running or something. I'll look into it.

I'm glad that with the union things are looking up over there. On my Mother's side is where it comes from. My Mother's Grandparent's were the first over to America from Czechoslovakia to escape the germans.

[fiery_rockstar]

RuffRyder did you do a reformat before installing SP2? I installed it and it messed up both my computers but then I reformatted and reinstalled it and both run like a dream now

[Napoly]

pch... i thing it's not an activeX control.. [i tried everything with it].. it's most probably something with an active scripting.. weird is that i can't even post a new thread in kirupa.. i can just reply.. :(

well i can post a new thread but i must be fast enough.. (i can do it within 1 or 2 seconds.. while the page is downloading)

[prstudio]

what happens when you click new thread? like specifically? does it just not load?

there is nothing special about the new thread versus reply buttons - they are for the sake of coding...the same.

and the problems with the pages you describe are not a SP2 thing - I'm wondering if it's a weird form of spyware, or if the browser just got corrupted.

is your computer doing anything weird with saving, browsing, or viewing other files?

any other glitches?

[Napoly]

The following error occurred when my message (new thread) was submitted:
"The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 1 characters."

[Napoly]

I can't edit my post so I must to post this Quick Reply again..

The weird thing is that I can't insert smilie, edit text colors.. and all these kind of funcions.. only while the page is downloading..

[coreyem]

sp2 has really hosed up my laptop. Brand new Compaq Evo n800, xp pro... I recall installing sp2 on my xp Home Sony VAIO without too much difficulty, but I'm running into all kinds of problems on my laptop. I've been in IT for 7 years, but that doesn't mean I feel like hunting down all the bugs and eliminating them, I am going back to SP1...

[B3NKobe]

Today I woke up and checked the mailbox and like sticks and shoes my SP2 CD was there. Although im not going to install it tonight until i have done a complete reformat of my PC. After reading all 10 pages on this thread iv decided to reformat it instead of just installing it just to try and get better performace from it and my pc hasnt been reformated for about a year no. Hopefully everything goes well, I will post back here in about 8 hours cos i think thats when ill be doing it and when I post in 8 hours I hope that im as happy as Cow on heat.....

[B3NKobe]

uh....its been 8 hours and i still havnt reformatted - ill be doing it soon maybe tommrow iv just spent to much time on my portfolio...will post back when SP2 is installed and tell everyone what i think..cross your fingers!!

[B3NKobe]

Well iv finally done my reformat and SP2 has really really helped my PC with performance, Im now 1% more happier with Microsoft....

I dont have any problems with SP2 although the only thing which annoys me is the tiny "Shield" icon in the bottom right hand corner of the taskbar. Because everytime i log onto windows the balloon pops up saying my computer isnt safe. This pops up only because i have "Automatic" updates switched off as i do it manually, is there a way to stop this??

Also here is a link to my other post i just did with some questions about the after marth of my re-format..


Click Here To See It!! (http://www.kirupaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=634773#post634773)


Thank - Guys, I recondmend SP2!!!!!

[kirupa]

Yes - go to Security Center in your Control Panel. Click on Recommendations under the giant Firewall blob and check the box for "I have a firewall solution...." That should get rid of the shield for you.

:kommie:

[frozenRage]

go to the security centre and hit "Change the way Security Centre alerts me" in the left hand column. then simply untick the things you don't want to be told about.

the only gripe i have about SP2 is that i IE, which i have to use coz i regulary use a certian plugin that only works for it, now blocks active content such as auto refreshes, at one point it even blocked flash elements from loading!

[B3NKobe]

Thanx Kirupa :D

[Sluger]

It won't let me open the links that you guys posted, can some help?

[kirupa]

Hmm - what won't let you open the links that people posted? Do you mean SP2?

[Sluger]

I installed SP2, before i did, everything was fine ( internet ) but now it doesn't do some things, like open links that you guys posted ( internet explorer ).

Update

It was the stupid pop-up blocker,

More problems :

1. Some websites won't show up

2. When i try to reply to a thread in this forum, not using the Quick Reply ( which i am using right now ), i try to type but it won't let me.

[Sluger]

Some websites don't show up too....

[Sluger]

It was the stupid pop-up blocker,

More problems :

1. Some websites won't show up

2. When i try to reply to a thread in this forum, not using the Quick Reply ( which i am using right now ), i try to type but it won't let me.

[kirupa]

The Edit button is there so that you don't reply multiple times to add-on to a previous message.

Go to Tools | Internet Options | Security --> Custom Level. Make sure that anything related to javascript/scripting/etc. is enabled.

:ne:

[Sluger]

Thank you Kirupa, everything works now. :)

[B3NKobe]

*FF fanboy post #532 deleted by kirupa*


kirupa_edit: Trolling isn't allowed :evil:

[cliffy]

For me it always blocks flash, even files on my local computer that I am testing. I have made many changes to the security settings (enabled pretty much everything), but they are still blocked.

Any hints?

[Krilnon]

Are you sure that you have flash installed on it?

[cliffy]

ya, after I unblock it it then loads fine. But the next time I start up IE once again it doesn't load

[kirupa]

Under Internet Options | Advanced, check to make sure that you have "Play Animations" and "Allow active content to run from My Computer" checked. That may help somewhat :)