DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Testing. 1, 2, 3... => Topic started by: Philippe Cordier on August 31, 2004, 06:20:47 AM
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Could someone who is computer knowledgeable answer this question? I know it's not DS related but perhaps it could be helpful to others who use computers to access this forum .. ;)
I have had so-called "Dell Service Alerts" pop up on my laptop from time to time. These aren't dated items and it took me a while to realize that some of them were just general information about the computer. Now, however, I have gotten a couple of these Dell Service Alerts regarding Windows SP2. They say I should download and install this. Since these aren't dated messages, I have no idea if this is something new or not. I could swear that I downloaded something called "Service Pack 2" for Windows back in February. I remember the "SP2."
However, I cannot find that anywhere on my system.
For more information the Dell message said to go to Microsoft's page. So I went to that page, and it scanned my system and said I needed to download and install it, a process that would take over an hour.
However, I don't want to do that if it's already on my computer.
Also, if it's really that important, I should have gotten a Windows Update message automatically, and I've never gotten one of those.
Does anyone know what the heck this SP2 is all about, and if it's something that has just come out, or might I have indeed installed it last February?
How important is it?
Thank you in advance, anyone who can help ...
;D
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It's new. It's big. It's raising a lot of eyebrows for that reason. Microsoft will gladly sell you a copy on cd so you don't have to download it. ::)
There's an overview of features, etc., on the Microsoft site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
(MB, are we allowed to post links to Microsoft here? ;D )
Beyond that, I can't tell you much except that someone I know who works on pcs for a living said that downloading it appears to have screwed up a bunch of driver settings for the printer and modem on a pc he was working on for a customer.
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This is Microsoft's big attempt to finally make Windows XP more secure. They are urging everyone to use the automatic updates, as they want to do this gradually.
I'm waiting to see the effects. There has been lots of talk that some things don't work with it. Also, it depends on your connection. I'm still using dial up and I read somewhere that it could take a couple of days continually on a dial up connection!! So, when I'm ready, I'll have to send for the CD.
MsCriseyde - you said "sell" a CD; I had assumed it would be free.
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MsCriseyde - you said "sell" a CD; I had assumed it would be free.
I was told they would charge for shipping by my pc guru. Turns out they're not, so, if you only have a dialup connection, I would go ahead and order the stupid thing.
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(MB, are we allowed to post links to Microsoft here? ;D )
Well... Just don't make a habit of it. (:D)
As for SP2, I've read quite a few horror stories about it in various computer magazines and Web sites. (Not to mention even more complaints that there won't be any such fixes for the 90% of Windows users who don't run XP. >:() Most Windows gurus are recommending that it be installed - but at the same time they're also warning that it can break some older Windows programs. The good thing seems to be that it breaks only a few programs - though if you're one of the people who uses those programs, I doubt that's much consolation. :-
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Thanks everyone for your input. I think SP2 is designed specifically for Windows XP, so if that's the case I wouldn't think none XP users would be advised to download it.
As long as there isn't any urgency, I'll hold off for the time being but will probably go ahead and install it. I don't think I have any older programs that would be aversely affected. :)
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Somehow I got on a list to get a newsletter, WinXPnews, and this week's edition has a notice that the SP2 CD is available.
SP2 CD is Now Available!
Many of you have been asking when you would be able to order the CD containing service pack 2. This is especially important for those who have slow modem connections. Well, your wait is over. Microsoft is making the SP2 CD available free (you don't even have to pay shipping). To get yours now, jump on over to:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=040907TI-SP2_CD"
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When I used that link and tried to order it, a notice came up that the Certificate couldn't be confirmed. Since the link came from the WinXPnews, I assumed it was trustworthy, but was still afraid to do it.
I went to microsoft.com myself and navigated to that page and it worked, no warning notice. So, I don't know if the link is fishy or not.
They say it will take 4-6 weeks to get the CD. By then I should have heard enough feedback to decide whether or not to use it.
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Josette...is it free, or is there a charge (S&H??)?
Thanks,
Patti
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When I used that link and tried to order it, a notice came up that the Certificate couldn't be confirmed. Since the link came from the WinXPnews, I assumed it was trustworthy, but was still afraid to do it.
Both the link and the newsletter are trustworthy. (And though I'm sure your intentions were pure, in the future you might want to think twice about posting links to sites that you suspect might be questionable - even with a warning that they might be. ;) Think of how you'd probably feel if someone did check the link out and something bad happened to their system...)
Somehow I got on a list to get a newsletter, WinXPnews
It seems like anyone who has ever entered their e-mail address in one of the required forms on Microsoft's site is automatically added to the mailing list, whether they actually use WinXP or not. I don't (obviously ;D) but I still receive the newsletter (though, probably needless to say, because I know what it actually is, I delete it without ever bothering to open it (http://www.dsboards.com/dsb05/Smileys/b003.gif)).
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Yes, Patti, free!! Check the message again - they mention that even the shipping is free. :)
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Josette,
Could you let us know if you hear anything more about SP2? I'll try to check around with people here, too, but so far I keep forgetting to ask anyone. Every time I turn on my computer i get a little thing that pops up telling me I should download now. It's getting rather annoying.
P.S. I discovered that what I had downloaded back in January or thereabouts was SP1.
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Well, I don't know that much about it. The little I've seen seems to indicate that in most instances it works, but apparently even some MS programs have had problems with it. I guess it depends on one's own set-up and what other programs are on it. I'm mostly monitoring the comments on the WordPerfect forum I use to see how they feel about it. If I hear anything fairly definite, one way or the other, I'll post it!!
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I've had SP2 for a little over a week and no glitches thus far. My computer is fairly new and not running any very old programs. I'm still not using Internet Explorer/Outlook Express, since I have everything set up in Mozilla Firefox/Thunderbird, so I don't know if there are any appreciable differences in the browser. No problems with Norton AV, The Cleaner Antitrojan, Symantec Firewall, or anti-spyware programs.
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So far, I've heard about two different types of issues.
One involves Outlook Express users losing their saved mail and address books. From what I gather, SP2 moves the files where these are stored to a different location and some OE users are having problems tracking them down.
The other involves users who, per Microsoft's own advice, disabled antivirus and firewall software during the SP2 installation, and then got zapped with some of that lovely browser-hijacking adware. So there isn't really an SP2 problem, just something that happened while the machine's defenses were down.
I'm not too keen on the notion of disabling AV or firewall protection while I'm on a network or dial-up connection, especially since my firewall software constantly tells me it's prevented some sort of intrusion while I'm dialed up through a certain ISP that I use. Sounds like another good reason to order the cd and avoid the online installation.
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Mark,
Did you disable your antivirus and firewall protection before downloading it?
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My disk arrived today - now I just have to decide whether or not to use it!! :)
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Be bold, be bold ... be not too bold!
(Spenser, Faerie Queene)
Seriously, Josette, please keep us posted. I still haven't downloaded -- haven't wanted to take the time to deal with it.
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Thank you, Vlad! A few of the WordPerfect people posted that they didn't have any problems. They also have a link to the MS site with instructions to read before doing it (I think that came with the disk, too), and one person said there is a problem if one uses AdAware (an anti-spy program), but I didn't read that information yet. I'll post the link here when I do. I hope to be able to try it on Sunday.
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I installed it! I had some ZoneAlarm alerts come up asking for permission, but nothing from Windows. I checked the Windows Firewall again, and it was NOT checked to be on - I know I checked it!! So, I did it again. I still haven't noticed anything from it.
My McAfee Anti-Virus came up with a box asking me to make it the default A-V or there could be conflicts with the Windows one.
Otherwise, I assume all's well!!
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Josette...a thing FINALLY came up for me to download a 'critical update from MS'. When I clicked on it, it appears to be for XP service pack; so I came back here to re-read.
Any problems or input from someone who has installed it?
Also, what would happen if I DIDN'T update??
Thanks,
Patti
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Patti, so far I haven't noticed anything different!! I suppose it's possible that there could be a problem with some program I haven't used yet, but it seems to doing well! :)
Since the Win firewall isn't supposed to be as good as some of the commercial ones, it's still advised to use a firewall and anti-virus, etc. So, I assume if one has those, one shouldn't need the Windows version, but I'm no expert in any of this, so maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in!
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Well, since my husband installed service pack, I have not been able to get online at home (I'm at work now).
On taskbar, there's an icon saying no internet connection; if I log on to verizon, says okie dokie.
Called Verizon, they can't see the problem.
First, after he installed, I had to tweek ALOT of stuff even to move (not online).
WAAAHHH!!! and this computer at work sucks.
Cool graphics MB.
Love,
Patti
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Vlad -- No, I didn't disable anything. Just downloaded and installed it and let it rip. :)
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There's already an urgent page to SP2!!! My update thing yesterday said that SP2 might appear to be completely installed, but might not be, and the patch is needed to make sure things are right. Unbelievable!!!! (Well, maybe not!)
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Well, I was tricked into downloading SP2 tonight.
Every single time I've turned on my computer since SP2 came out, I've gotten a popup message saying I need to download it. However, the documentation to understand it and preparations necessary prior to downloading it were too daunting and time-consuming to go through, so I have continued to ignore the messages. I have dozens of pages printed out from MS's webpages detailing instructions of what to do before you even dare download the thing, just for example, backing up every file on your computer, disabling your antivirus protection, and disabling your firewall.
I simply haven't had time to deal with it, but now tonight I decided to click on the "urgent update message," and it listed 8 "hotfixes" that they said needed to be downloaded and that it was urgent. None of them said anything about being SP2, and it said I could download them and continue to do other things on my computer. It sounded like they were OK, so I just clicked "install," then continued to use the Internet, etc.
I was surprised that the downloading was going so slowly. Usually these things take one or two minutes at the most, but this must have taken about an hour. After that, I got continually messages pestering me about restarting my computer, which wasn't convenient as I was working on a couple of different files I had open.
Out of curiosity, just to "see" the 8 downloaded "hotfixes," I went to my control panel and clicked on the "Add/Remove" icon, then selected to order them by date used. There were the 8 new hotfixes, and after each one, in parentheses, each one said ("SP2").
I think this was really a scary way to have downloaded this to my computer, and I'm really surprised at the underhanded tactics MS used. I'm especially surprised that they had me download this without any preparations as their own information says must be done prior to downloading.
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Interesting to read all about this since just a few days ago I changed from IE to Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/
I've found that while using IE [I have XP] I had loads of adware, and spyware on my computer without my knowledge. After getting a spybot and spywareblaster, I found all those unwanted files. I'd remove them only to find them on my computer the next time I used IE. After downloading and using Firefox, I haven't found any adware in 2-3 days! I'm sold and it's free.
(http://home.comcast.net/~dsart21st/seizuretag.jpg)
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Not sure if it is clear to all that what I'm describing is supposed to be "good" for your computer -- "MS" = MicroSoft, SP2 = "ServicePack2". But the way Microsoft tricked me into downloading it does seem to be a tactic worthy of the people who similarly trick unsuspecting people into downloading things that include unwanted programs, spyware, etc.!
Dsbarnabasfan, you'll find that Mozilla is often promoted here as a superior alternative to IE. ;D
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Not sure if it is clear to all that what I'm describing is supposed to be "good" for your computer -- "MS" = MicroSoft, SP2 = "ServicePack2". But the way Microsoft tricked me into downloading it does seem to be a tactic worthy of the people who similarly trick unsuspecting people into downloading things that include unwanted programs, spyware, etc.!
Dsbarnabasfan, you'll find that Mozilla is often promoted here as a superior alternative to IE. ;D
I just find it strange that I upgraded my IE to SP2 and completed all the downloads and still get all that crap on my computer. I've read that IE has many security code holes but I thought that SP2 corrected it...with all those downloads you'd thing they got it right. Well, I haven't seen any improvement yet. I hope it does happen though!
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I just turned on my computer and got a message saying I need to download ServicePack2.
???
I hate to say "nevermind" regarding my earlier posts, but maybe those "hotfixes" I downloaded last night weren't SP2 itself.
::)
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I hate to say "nevermind" regarding my earlier posts, but maybe those "hotfixes" I downloaded last night weren't SP2 itself.
::)
When it comes to Microsoft, it's nearly impossible to second guess anything they're likely to do, so certainly *you're* not the one at fault. ;)
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I hate to say "nevermind" regarding my earlier posts, but maybe those "hotfixes" I downloaded last night weren't SP2 itself.
::)
When it comes to Microsoft, it's nearly impossible to second guess anything they're likely to do, so certainly *you're* not the one at fault. ;)
It almost feels like they, MS, do it on purpose to make people come back to download...but nothing ever seems different. I have loads of "hotfixes" stored on my computer but I wonder if they are doing any "hot" jobs!!! >:(
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I just turned on my computer and got a message saying I need to download ServicePack2.
???
I hate to say "nevermind" regarding my earlier posts, but maybe those "hotfixes" I downloaded last night weren't SP2 itself.
::)
Vlad,
No need to feel bad.
First off, you can turn off the automatic updates to prevent your computer from downloading them without your permission. And then you won't be pestered to install. However, this will mean you'll need to check for important updates yourself.
As for SP2, after installing it, links on other sites sometimes wouldn't open, but these are the problems I experienced on dsboards using Mozilla Firefox 1.0:
Message links not opening
Posts wouldn't submit-- "no data" error
Modifications wouldn't submit-- "no data" error
Session timeouts for no discernible reason
Using Netscape 7.2, I experienced all of the above plus the screen froze when trying to send or delete PMs. Imagine trying to administer with all THAT happening, grrr. It became apparent that there was no other solution but to uninstall SP2 so I did it this past weekend. I'm running WinXP with fixes (SP2) plus other updates and having no problems now. :D
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I can't say I've had a single problem with SP2. It downloaded fine (with firewall and AV on), and I haven't experienced any unusual issues with my machine. That may be due in part to the fact that the machine was quite new when SP2 loaded (I got it in May of last year). I still refuse to use IE, however, except for when I need to access the Microsoft site. Firefox is not invulnerable, but it sure is a damn sight more secure than IE; I've got AdAware and Spybot, and in the last six months, haven't found a single instance of ad/spyware on this machine.
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Using Netscape 7.2, I experienced all of the above plus the screen froze when trying to send or delete PMs. Imagine trying to administer with all THAT happening, grrr. It became apparent that there was no other solution but to uninstall SP2 so I did it this past weekend. I'm running WinXP with fixes (SP2) plus other updates and having no problems now. :D
All my problems pale in comparison ... ;)