Posted on 06/29/2004 9:17:39 AM PDT by notforhire
JUNE 28, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - The major changes to Windows XP included in the upcoming Service Pack 2 are expected to cause support headaches, and analysts, users, PC makers and Microsoft Corp. are all expecting a spike in help desk calls. SP2 is due out in the third quarter, so it could be available as soon as next month. The service pack, which will be downloaded automatically into many PCs through Microsoft's Windows Update service, could break current applications, disrupt networking setups and prompt nontechnical users to make PC configuration decisions that may be beyond their grasp.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is still working on a plan to support the security-focused update. "We're working hard on getting together a support plan," said Matt Pilla, a senior product manager at the software maker. One decision has been made, however: Microsoft will offer no-charge, worldwide telephone support for the service pack, Pilla said.
Microsoft is returning to its policy to provide free support for service packs after leaving support for Windows XP SP1 to the PC makers, Pilla said. Nevertheless, Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc. and Gateway Inc. are also gearing up for the release of SP2 and will support their customers, spokespeople for those PC makers said.
Support directly from Microsoft is more valuable than help provided by PC vendors because it is more in-depth, said Victor Go, vice president of technology at Landmark Theatre Corp., which has about 600 PCs running Windows.
"We don't call unless it is something extremely technical that would require something beyond the first-line help desk. We used to try the support that goes with the PC, but whether it is HP or IBM, we just never got the response we needed," Go said.
Although Microsoft has deemed Windows XP SP2 a service pack, the update is more comparable to a Windows upgrade. SP2 contains bug fixes and updates, but it also offers new features and makes significant changes to the Windows software in four main areas: network protection, memory protection, e-mail security and browsing security.
(Excerpt) Read more at computerworld.com ...
I'm using XP SP2 right now, and have been beta testing it here at work for months. At first there were some issues that needed addressing, but for the most part it has been a lot smoother than even I expected - the security updates are good things, IMHO, and will make it a little harder for the average home user to do stupid things that mess themselves up.
That being said, I'm sure it will confuse some people. That's to be expected, though...
Can't wait for it. Just hope its not a monstrosity like 2k SP2. *shudder*
Do I still need it with a firewall and virus checker? I also regularly clean out the spyware? XP never seems to cause me any problems and I am reluctant to fix something that evidently doesn't need fixing.
I don't see why you wouldn't update to it. Of course, I'd probably wait a little bit and see how it goes for other people first, but I do that because I'm cautious ;0)
I'm using XP SP2 right now and I am having no probl
It's not that much of a monstrosity... I wasn't fond of 2000 SP2, either...
I know diddly squat about computers, but a couple of years ago when I decided to take in SP1, my HP took a total dump....turns out there were "issues" between Microsoft and HP. It was a scary experience obtaining and then using the half dozen restoration CDs.
The only thing I see with this rev is directX 9.0c. Other than that, I am well protected. I dont need microsoft controlling more of this PC. I would switch this one to Linux, however, it is my gaming PC.
At least MS doesn't have to worry about the EU countries, they want a locally grown OS. Germany and France should return to DOS, it's cheap.
LOL!
MS can never win with some people, first it's too insecure (nevermind the hackers running wild the world over), then when they try to increase security it's now unfair to their users.
"WinXP alert!!" ping
I guess you mean when they take a product like Red Hat and slap a French name like Mandrake on there, all done for free.
That's what the French call "Innovation"...
I've been following the news from beta reports. It looks as if SP2 RC2 is pretty good. You can turn off some of the extras, like the windows firewall, if you want. It's not yet clear what the release date will be. The word is that it may be delayed until August while they work more bugs out of it. That's just as well.
I usually load up my computer with betas, but I draw the line at operating system betas, because if something goes wrong the adverse consequences are pretty severe. But the reports are good. I do believe Microsoft will wait to release it until the bugs are ironed out to a much greater extent than their practice not so long ago.
You can turn off the firewall if you choose to. They have made the default setting to be with the firewall on, for all those millions of users who don't want to cope with technical questions. But you can turn it off if you have a firewall you like better. Or you can use both.
You'll just have to dig into it a little and find out where to turn these settings on and off.
I switched to a different browser and email program last week after my last nerve was frayed with all the spyware,bots and the usual crud. having to run adaware and search and destroy after a session was getting upsetting to me. i can say that i have been spyware free since the day i closed IE and its been nice. however i will update to SP2 when it cames out because i want my PC running smoothly and i like XP i havnt had one screen of blue death with XP or the crashes like i had with ME.
Anything you can share with us lowly PC users who aren't sure if we need to update?
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