[Ham-Computers] WinXP Service Pack 2, Word of caution:,More on

[jandlmiller at bellsouth.net]

Thanks, Aaron, and I'm certain you have all of our best interests in mind as you issue your caution.  Perhaps, though, your information is too "alarmist" in nature.  That having been said I'd be the first to agree that if history is to be any measure of the success of SP2, or anything Microsoft, our personal attention to caution is in order.

The media has been all over Microsoft for quite some time to finally "come clean" with some public disclosure of what will and won't work with the SP2.  The online and print media is chuck full of details on half a hundred or more applications that simply won't coexist with the SP2, at this time, including, but not limited to many of Microsoft's own products, and an apparently popular firewall (not McAfee) that doesn't meet the bar.  When I visited the Websites of these noncompliants, or called them, they are very upfront with their SP2 status, as well as their bad mouth of the SP2.

It appears from my reading of the test results that the new SP2 "firewall" may be so "soft" that our present personal firewalls need to remain in place.

But most of the lurking problems with SP2 do not appear to involve those with XP/Home and simple Ethernets to connect all Win98SE and above machines in our homes.

Quite a different story for those like you in a complex corporate ennvironment.  You folks may want to wait a very long time before you sign on, if you ever do.

We all should have been about this business of contacting our computer manufacturer, software publishers, and so forth, to determine "whether" or "how well" their products have been tested and will work with SP2.

Allowing Microsoft, or anyone else, the privilege to download to our machines without a challenge needs some serious thought.  But let's balance our desire for rugged individualism and control with the overall benefit of receiving patches and updates (that should never have been necessary in the first place)as soon as they may help keep us out of hot water.

73, John, W0IKT
> 
> From: ham-computers-request at mailman.qth.net
> Date: 2004/08/18 Wed AM 04:00:45 EDT
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 12:08:27 -0700
> From: "Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)" <aaron.hsu at nbcuni.com>
> Subject: [Ham-Computers] Word of caution: WinXP Service Pack 2
> 
> A word of caution to all Ham-Computers list users.
> 
> If you're using any version of Windows XP, I *strongly* suggest that you
> disable Window's "Automatic Update" functionality ASAP.
> 
> Service Pack 2 (SP2) for WinXP will be added to the automatic updates pool
> somtime after August 25th (2004).  This service pack is a *MAJOR* update to
> Windows XP and adds many new features and plugs many security holes.  Some
> are saying it's closer to a WinXP "Second Edition" than it is a service
> pack.  Unfortunately, due to all of the new security features, SP2 will
> "break" many working applications.  These apps (or WinXP) will need to be
> tweaked or updated to work properly after installing SP2.  Many of these
> apps are network related or use network connections and the problem stems
> from the new "Windows Firewall" functionality in SP2.
> 
> There are a couple way to limit or disable the automatic update on a WinXP
> system.  "Right-click" on "My Computer" (either in the "Start Menu" or the
> "Desktop", depending on your WinXP theme) and select "Properties".  The
> resulting dialogue box should have several "tabs" and one should be labeled
> "Automatic Updates".  Under the "Automatic Updates" tab, there should be a
> checkbox labeled "Keep my computer up to date...".  Uncheck this box to
> disable automatic updates.  If you wish to be kept informed of automatic
> updates, then leave this box checked - but then select the "Notify me before
> downloading..." option.  This will ensure that you have full control over
> what updates are installed on your system.
> 
> Microsoft is taking a very agressive stance with SP2.  It *will* fix many of
> the security flaws in WinXP, but beta testers found it also introduces some
> new security risks.  Save yourself some early headaches and install SP2 at a
> later time when *you're* ready to handle the potential problems and
> solutions are readily available.
> 
> More information on WinXP SP2 can be found on Microsoft's website and at
> various "industry-related" magazine websites (such as eWeek, InfoWorld,
> CNet, ZDNet, etc.).
> 
> Just some advice from a fellow HAM.
> 
> 73,
> 
>   - Aaron Hsu, NN6O
>     (nn6o)@arrl.net
>     (athsu)@unistudios.com
>     No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006