Posted on 08/18/2004 6:24:03 AM PDT by foolscap
Automated distribution for XP Pro users put off a week.
REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. has delayed automated distribution of a major security upgrade to its Windows XP operating system, citing a desire to give companies more time to test it.
The update, dubbed Service Pack 2, won't be available to companies that use Windows XP Professional until at least Aug. 25, Windows product manager John Murchinson said Tuesday. The rollout had been scheduled for Aug. 16.
Microsoft has told companies it's important to test the update before deploying it throughout their networks, Murchinson said. Earlier, the company released a list of about 50 games and other software found to have problems working with SP2.
"We've gotten some feedback that some corporate customers need additional time to complete that additional testing," Murchinson said.
Large companies that use Microsoft's patch management service, in which a company's computer staff distributes such updates for its employees, got the update on Monday as scheduled. The delay affects distribution through an automatic update service, in which individual computers are set to obtain such updates directly from Microsoft.
People running Windows XP Home Edition will start getting the update on Wednesday if their computers...
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
just another thing to crash my computer
I just turned my Windows Auto Update to "Notify" instead of "Automatic" and will wait awhile to download the XP Home version.
(To do this, go to "Start", "Settings" "Automatic Update")
I wonder how long before we get an update to the update?
We're supposed to get the Service Pack 2 Update today but if Microsoft delayed it for business, your guess is as good as mine it'll also be delayed for home users.
As I understand, the main item is increased security to the XP firewall.
I have my own firewall, actually two, my router and recently installed PCcillin firewall ( was using Zone Alarm prior).
What else does SP2 contain that I might need?
Coincidently...
Netscape 7.2 browser just released.
http://www.ufaq.org/
My daughter moved back on campus last weekend prompting me to "hardeen" her computer by attempting to install SP2. I started by putting my home computer to the test. It seemed to work (more below) so I applied the patch to her system. Her system gave an immediate Blue Screen of Death on attempting to reboot. After HOURS of srewing around thru the recovery console, I finally was able to use the original XP disc to "repair" the system into some sort of bastardized no-mans-land somewhere between SP1 & SP2 that runs like I poured Elmer's glue into the HD. But at least she's somewhat up and running until I can do a complete disc wipe and reinstall over a weekend. Did I mention her printer doesn't work?
After I got home from a 14 hour work day yesterday, I find my son has left Linux to boot XP to work in Excel. Fine and dandy until I hear, "Why won't this print?" Two hours later I still couldn't tell him... Now I'm regretting telling someone I had 50% success in patching to SP2...
Although I am not a Microsoft basher, I will wait at least 6 months before I install SP2, if at all. My WinXP works just fine now with all my apps and I see no reason to screw it up.
I expect within the next few weeks updated versions of many programs that will work within the tighter security settings of WinXP SP2.
I'm doing about the same thing as you and I don't think I'll need the items SP2 offers either. It would be good if Microsoft would give us the option of choosing what parts of SP2 to install, but then we wouldn't expect anything else from Microsoft anyway huh?
Where did you download the update for Professional? I want to test it on XP Pro but can't find the downloadable update.
The page says it is for multiple PC's over a network but anyone can download it. They just don't want everyone hitting the site and sucking up the bandwidth.
Many Thanks!! I think;)
YMMV but, based on my experience, I'd say wait. I wish I had. :^(
So does ZoneAlarm, which everyone loves. Users of XP Pro should be attached to a business network with technical support, which should know how to deal with this.
Home users should have some help from the firewall software, as ZoneAlarm provides.
Hopefully, not longer than 20 minutes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.