Windows XP Service Pack 2

[Commander Marklar]

I thought it was because the 270mb version had a bunch of other downloadable fixes built in, but because of intranets, etc, may not be available to download so they can be installed from the sp2 patch.... possibly. They may or may not be installed, depends on what's on the machine already.

I know the download can be bigger than 80mb for the home version, depending on your machines configuration.

[Ginger Tosser]

It'll be interesting to see how it effects Citrix ICA plug throughs. We currently use version 7.1 which behaves differently on SP2

[Valken]

Citrix stuff *does* seem ok but I got bored ****ing with SP2 on my test system and
reverted to an older image before testing it all properly.

[smokedog]

I had to uninstall SP2 because its stop some of my application from installing. Getting a 1607 error "unable to install installshield scripting runtime".

But after unstalling it, booting up on windows take forever....

[Super Stu]

Installshield is on the list of apps that SP2 knackers.

[phillai]

I'm beginning to find Service Pack 2 ****e...

Is it really worth having? I'm thinking of reformating and NOT installing Service Pack 2...

[Resonance]

Probably not, but you are in a minority.
XP is better because it is considered a mainstream OS. Hence drivers, fixes, support are all geared for XP.

Why do you think 2k is better?

XP feels funny to me even though I have used it a lot. I find tasks like searching for files can take much longer on XP when you have an old machine. I dont really like the look of it any more (not that 2k is the Mona Lisa) but it feels a bit over the top sometimes. I also find it to be a bit less stable then 2000 when I am doing graphics work and other intense stuff like that.

Granted that XP is more useable cutomisable and generally better I still find that I miss the simplicity of Win2K.

[Oh! My Car!]

not sure about installing this...looks like it'll mess my firewall (although not too bothered if it comes with a new one) but it's also gonna mess up my anti-virus stuff.

Also, this phrase in the install program scares me:

Before you install this update we recommend that you:
-backup your system

That the kind of thing that makes me think all my documents etc may...er, 'disappear'

Is it really worth installing SP2?

[oracle]

installed it and havent had anyproblems

i would do it, it backs up spome stuff so you can roll back to sp1 if you need to

[Inertia_]

SP2 has done nothing but improve my system so far. Obviously, you have to turn the Windows Firewall off and continue to use whichever you had installed prior to installation (I use Outpost Firewall myself). The majority of basic network and p2p problems that people testify to are doubtlessly caused by the new firewall being left on.

Other than that, though, highly recommended. Installation was fast and without hassle, and they've *finally* fixed that infuriating glitch whereby your Control Panel icons keep reverting to a list view.

I should also add that I use Firefox as a browser and Thunderbird for emails, so I can't make any comment on the new IE.

[Chadruharazzeb]

I've read on the MOzilla forums that SP2 b0rks Firefox...

I'm going to hold off SP2 for a while, I don't need any of it's tawdry security anyway.

[Oh! My Car!]

I'm going to hold off SP2 for a while, I don't need any of it's tawdry security anyway.

I'm in that frame of mind too...I might wait until some patches are released

[Ish]

I've read on the MOzilla forums that SP2 b0rks Firefox...

Doesn't seem to.... I'm making this post through a SP2 machine with Firefox. Chances are some people have not unblocked it in the Windows Firewall.

Actually regarding that new Firewall and the new Security center and stuff. The SP2 install and McAfee stuff seem to work together. After reboot post installation the Windows Security Center is reporting on my McAfee firewall, virus checkers and stuff and the installation had sussed out I had the McAfee firewall running and so left the Windows Firewall turned off.

All in all its been pretty painless and slick for me.

[oracle]

I use firefox and it works fine

[Tom Salter]

I use FireFox fine in SP2. I haven't had a single problem with SP2 so far.

However: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08...curity_crater/

Didn't take long!