XP SP2

Miles Teg · Post by **Miles Teg** » 2004-08-10 01:35pm

So, I was wondering if I could get some feedback about windows XP SP2 for any here that have used it.

I use Linux personally so I am way out of touch for the mess that is the windows world, but my GF's laptop has WinXP. I just formatted and reinstalled the O/S because her machine was literally a spyware and virus playground (she made the mistake of letting others use her laptop).

Anyway, I was wondering if SP2 is stable enough for her to use, or if it is the typical SNAFU of an MS release. Here's the basic use parameters:

* WinXP with a cable modem connection (with a switch for multiple users, not a router unfortunately)
* MSN Explorer (since it doesn't let popups in) / Firefox
* Hotmail
* MSN Messenger, AIM, Yahoo
* Office/MS Works
* Toy screensavers / etc.

Anyone have any experience yet with a setup similar to this running XP SP2? I don't want to install it if all it is going to do is cause chaos and mayhem.

Also, if you've had a bad experience with SP2, can you suggest alternative programs (hopefully free) such a firewall and spyware detection programs to use?

Miles Teg

GoldenFalcon · Post by **GoldenFalcon** » 2004-08-10 01:42pm

Miles Teg wrote:Also, if you've had a bad experience with SP2, can you suggest alternative programs (hopefully free) such a firewall and spyware detection programs to use?

Miles Teg

I recommend ZoneAlarm Free for a firewall if you choose not to use SP2's. Heck, I'm not even gonna use SP2's firewall just yet because of bugs and exploits I know will be in it.

Also, SP2 doesn't inherently detect spyware, so I suggest you download Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D for spyware.

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2004-08-10 02:21pm

Your basicly listing the wrong types of programs to tell if you are going to have issues.

Daemon tools/most other virtual CD software has known issues with service pack upgrades, and WinXP sp2 is basicly a whole new OS(~70% of the OS has been changed).

Drivers, make sure you have the most uptodate drives.

I'ld uninstall any firewall/anti-virus software before you upgrade, or make sure you apply the sp2 updates for that particular firewall/anti-virus software.

The biult in firewall will be good enough for basic firewall needs and it will be switched on during boot anyway. Leave the sucker on till you get windows fully update and get another firewall app.

IE explorer popup blocker is great, and internet zone security has greatly improved.

WMP9 will prompt you to go through the configuration screen again, which is no real issue.

Apparently WinXP sp2 has a a reduced memory footprint too!

I would wait till the end-user version of WinXP sp2 comes out in a few days and grab it off Windows Update(you are running windows update often?). The version of WU is typically going to be an 80mb, or at least thats what they are aiming at.

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » 2004-08-10 10:00pm

I updated, and it seemed to go smoothly. It didn't recognize the antivirus (Norton), but it did find the firewall (ZoneAlarm, full version).

I turned off Windows firewall completely, but otherwise made no other changes, and it seems to work fine.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2004-08-11 09:33am

Uh help, on limited user with SP1 it allowed me to use my logitec headset, putting it in and out (since it replaces the speakers each time), now I think it wants admin permission.

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2004-08-11 11:26am

Wow...someone running a limitted account. I thought those were a myth, like basilisks, or honest politicians!

Seriously though, SP2 adds a bunch of security features, those end up biting people in the ass sometimes. On the flip side, it's supposedly going to make it a lot harder for spyware and suchlike to infiltrate, which I regard as a bloody /godsend/. I just hope the compatibility problems aren't too bad, or I might have to hold off on installing it on customer systems. I've felt like a janitor over the last few months, taking a mop to all the spyware and viruses on 90 percent of the systems that pass through this shop.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2004-08-11 11:27am

Its not a user, its a power user, users are reserved for family.

Okey, got it working, now, how do I turn off the damn ballon that tells me to turn on auto-update?!

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2004-08-11 11:50am

Ace Pace wrote:Its not a user, its a power user, users are reserved for family.

Okey, got it working, now, how do I turn off the damn ballon that tells me to turn on auto-update?!

Somewhere in the Security Centre.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2004-08-11 11:51am

Nope, no option for turning the warning off,unlike the FW.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-08-11 11:55am

There might be a Group Policy Option to turn that off, but by easily-accessable methods, probably not. XP SP2 will now badger you to update your box (and then reboot!) until you do it.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2004-08-11 12:41pm

Ace Pace wrote:Nope, no option for turning the warning off,unlike the FW.

Hmm, I get it

Faram · Post by **Faram** » 2004-08-11 01:04pm

I changed the Automatic Updates service to disabled, that killed da shit.

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2004-08-11 01:14pm

Ace Pace wrote:Okey, got it working, now, how do I turn off the damn ballon that tells me to turn on auto-update?!

"Security center" -> "Change the way Security center alerts me" -> untick box: "Automatic updates, Alert me if my computer might be at risk because of my automatic update settings "

For fucks sake, reading is a vital skill when dealing with computers.

The Security Center doesnt have that many UI elements.

Pu-239 · Post by **Pu-239** » 2004-08-11 03:25pm

White Haven wrote:Wow...someone running a limitted account. I thought those were a myth, like basilisks, or honest politicians! Seriously though, SP2 adds a bunch of security features, those end up biting people in the ass sometimes. On the flip side, it's supposedly going to make it a lot harder for spyware and suchlike to infiltrate, which I regard as a bloody /godsend/. I just hope the compatibility problems aren't too bad, or I might have to hold off on installing it on customer systems. I've felt like a janitor over the last few months, taking a mop to all the spyware and viruses on 90 percent of the systems that pass through this shop.

I run as "User" for all users- games just get the permissions on their directories modified to allow saved games, plus I use Run as on Explorer to emulate "su" on Linux (you have to enable run as a seperate process). Anyway I run Win2k so SP2 is not applicable (computers are too slow to run XP, and family members will not tolerate Linux).

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-08-11 03:50pm

XP runs as fast as W2K, though you might want to disable the theming service.

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2004-08-11 04:15pm

Depends on the system, XP's a ramhog like no other. Once you cross a certain point, XP's just as fast, but 2k's lower sysreqs help a lot on decrepit rigs.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2004-08-11 04:32pm

ggs wrote: "Security center" -> "Change the way Security center alerts me" -> untick box: "Automatic updates, Alert me if my computer might be at risk because of my automatic update settings "

For fucks sake, reading is a vital skill when dealing with computers.

The Security Center doesnt have that many UI elements.

For Fucks sake, some people are actully half asleep when typing shit.

Fixed it.

GoldenFalcon · Post by **GoldenFalcon** » 2004-08-11 04:32pm

phongn wrote:XP runs as fast as W2K, though you might want to disable the theming service.

Question..would disabling XP's theming service revert it to the natural "fisher price" UI that it came with? Or would it return to the Windows Classic theme?

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2004-08-11 11:42pm

GoldenFalcon wrote:
phongn wrote:XP runs as fast as W2K, though you might want to disable the theming service.
Question..would disabling XP's theming service revert it to the natural "fisher price" UI that it came with? Or would it return to the Windows Classic theme?

The Windows classic "theme" is actually the lack of theming. killing the theming service is the same as switching to the classic theme.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-08-11 11:56pm

There is an undocumented and slightly wierd "hybrid" theme -- if you force Windows into using one of the Luna themes and then turn off the theming service Windows will not use the classic gray scheme but instead use a lighter shade.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2004-08-13 01:58am

phongn wrote:There is an undocumented and slightly wierd "hybrid" theme -- if you force Windows into using one of the Luna themes and then turn off the theming service Windows will not use the classic gray scheme but instead use a lighter shade.

IIRC, it'll still use the style settings of the theme in use before the service is killed.

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