[Zardon]

Any experts who have been testing this for a while? I just got the final today and have installed it. Im not really sure what exactly has altered or what I should be looking for with this service pack and in fact maybe most of the updates are under the hood which will be good, but I have to say first impressions of the "windows security center" arent really positive. an interesting "mcafee" style icon in the taskbar.

Anyway first time it loaded it couldnt detect what antivirus client I was running so after clicking "recommendations" the only option was to install another application. obviously this isnt meant to work with corporate clients, or do you have to reinstall it so it "kicks in?". anyway with regards to this I cant be bothered trying an antivirus reinstall just now as I know its working fine, so ive turned off monitoring there.

the firewall is the next part of this "trio" of monitoring options in the security center. so as ive a hardware firewall I decided to open all ports to test it. loaded up trillian pro. and straight away a little window pops up "do you want to continue blocking trillian pro?" with options to continue to block or open etc. so just as I was about to click "open", trillian pro loaded anyway and I started talking to a friend before even offering the firewall client a reply. Hardware firewall back in I think.

lastly automatic updates, turned that off as well, as I like to handle my own updates mainly due to past experiences it would start downloading patches and updates when I didnt want. has this altered? is it improved? or just the same thing with a glitzy interface?

ok so thats my initial findings........ anyone been testing SP2 for a long time now?

[dipstick]

Wow, the final is done?

[Veridian3]

Some of its good but some is a complete nightmare...2 examples would be...

...blocking what it thinks is an auto download is v annoying as it frequently doesnt recognise you have requested files and activeX blocking works in the same way so gets on your nerves too. thankfully those things are easily turned off

[interspaced]

yeah the firewall doesn't really work even when i said keep blocking i was able to continue using msn. Very strange this

edit: i tired logging on to steam and clicking block but yet i can still log on and play a game of counterstrike even though i blocked it and hl launcher

[Robert McClelland]

Ya I think so lol me downloading from my beta place and 16 hours to go lol

[mkk]

When I tried out Windows Update V5 a week ago or so it needed more of the otherwise useless services running than the previous version, and was more of a chore for firewall purposes by not just using internet explorer for the traffic but also required allowance for svchost.exe to access the update server. Not so cute when svchost.exe can be loads of different services. I assume that the same behavior remains in the release version of SP2, and while it may not be any real issues I don't feel like SP2 gets me much on overall. It's also a fair download stuffed with upgrades to Microsoft software at least as much as real system updates. Even with SP2 one will likely still have to rely on third party software to keep Windows safe. Until I upgrade to an Athlon64 (the memory security bit feature) I think I'll pass.

[Zelig]

I've been playing with it for a while in a Virtual Machine, though I've been disabling features that I can.

Most of my regular programs still work fine, though I don't much like the security centre. AVG Anti-virus works fine with it, Kerio firewall needs an update to the latest beta version, as does Admuncher, or it causes everything else to crash.

I'll be formatting and installing it after I test a few more things to make sure I'll have a workable system.

[The_Neon_Cowboy]

It's windows XP the way it should have been released in the first place....

[No_Style]

I know DX 9.0c does, but what else is included?

I heard there was WMP9. I want to know because I can eliminate some unecessary installations from my unattended if it's already installed.

EDIT:

Here's the MS Windows XP SP2 Page for some info.

Some changes I noticed:

- Windows Boot Screen no longer includes "Windows XP Professional" and just says "Windows XP"
- Installing SP2, also installs Windows Messenger even if you never installed it in the first place (Bastards!)
- Windows Update V5 is now automatically used instead of V4.
- StyleXP no longer works. (TGTSoft needs to update for the latest build)

[dipstick]

Is the final build 2180?

[No_Style]

Originally posted by dipstick
Is the final build 2180?

That's what people say.

[Judas]

First off... the Blocking DOES work... but it doesn't appear to block MS stuff to well....... It still lets the program exacute sometimes.. but it causes glitches and whatnot in mostly opengl stuff... and if someone wasn't very knowledgeable in forcefully exiting a program and being able to get back to windows without restarting... it would continue to block... what i dislike is that it should PAUSE the loading process.. ASK if you want to block it's ability to send outgoing info or requests... then continue... this is RC2 though.... they may have made a few more changes. like creatinga program block list that you can easily find and make changes to... Anti virus wise.... most of the issues are related to the need for the antivirus software to be updated.... firewall protection.... when i completely disabled it... it was disabled.... i myself agree with neo..... windows XP SP2 slipstreamed is the way XP should have been released..... and the active X controlling is excellent.. i love the fact that i can KILL the active x controller and the page HAS to ask me if i would like to load it... my internet is so damn fast.. that going to some sites... it would load so much garbage so bloody fast.... i couldn't even hit the ALT+F4 key combination fast enough....

[HawK]

new services in sprc1/2:
ALG; application gateway service (is/why/should this not be user controlable ??)
DCom server Process launcher (???)
HTTP SSL (not sure if this is new?)
Security center (yeah right..)
Firewall ISC (to little control for advanced users)

probably missed some though..

most noticable service that has gone = Messenger at last...

Edit: these are my runnin MS services rest is on manual or disabled (check blackviper for more info
COM+ Event System
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
DNS Client
Event log
Network Connections
Network location Awareness
Plug & Pray
Protected Storage
RPC
Security Accounts
Shell HW detect
Sys.Event
Themes
Windows Audio
Windows Managem. Instrum.

[germanjulian]

gonna install it now guys... yawn bit of a waste cause its such nice weather but my comp needs it

[germanjulian]

well I did my install and installed all my programs drives etc and tried 90% of my stuff and all works.... I am happy.

[Louie6666]

Originally posted by HawK
new services in sprc1/2:
ALG; application gateway service (is/why/should this not be user controlable ??)
DCom server Process launcher (???)
HTTP SSL (not sure if this is new?)
Security center (yeah right..)
Firewall ISC (to little control for advanced users)

probably missed some though..

most noticable service that has gone = Messenger at last...

Edit: these are my runnin MS services rest is on manual or disabled (check blackviper for more info
COM+ Event System
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
DNS Client
Event log
Network Connections
Network location Awareness
Plug & Pray
Protected Storage
RPC
Security Accounts
Shell HW detect
Sys.Event
Themes
Windows Audio
Windows Managem. Instrum.

Viper hasn't been updated for sp2..wouldn't rely on the info....DCOM server so far i've noticed that I can't un/install certain programs with it disabled.


Shell Hardware you can get away with switching off..
DNS Client..That can go! never actually found a use for it lol..

[Zardon]

Originally posted by germanjulian
well I did my install and installed all my programs drives etc and tried 90% of my stuff and all works.... I am happy.

Yeah everything ive tried seems to work right, which is a relief. hopefully most of the "improvements" are security and coding enhancements "under the hood".

Im sure the improved firewall and security center will prove very useful for the novice though.

[HawK]

Originally posted by Louie6666
Viper hasn't been updated for sp2..wouldn't rely on the info....DCOM server so far i've noticed that I can't un/install certain programs with it disabled.


Shell Hardware you can get away with switching off..
DNS Client..That can go! never actually found a use for it lol..

Ah yes but I posted the link to Viper for services pre sp2, for those who still have all services runnin, and would like to change that..

HW detection, not needed for i.e. usb drives and other removable HW ??

DNS depends on one's isp, No?

[Zardon]

What do you think of SP2 hawk? tried the final yet?

[Louie6666]

Originally posted by HawK
Ah yes but I posted the link to Viper for services pre sp2, for those who still have all services runnin, and would like to change that..

HW detection, not needed for i.e. usb drives and other removable HW ??
Mostly for autoplay CD handlers which annoy me greatly...haven't got anything usb to test with lol, but i suspect only instead of auto launching you would just have to use it from explorer(same as cd handler)...can anyone that has something plugable comfirm this

DNS depends on one's isp, No?
try switching it off lol...haven't actually managed to find one system so far that actually uses it...I work for an isp...its not a setting first line look for either...It may say DNS on the tin, but me thinks it stands for Do Nothing Service

[HawK]

Originally posted by Zardon
What do you think of SP2 hawk? tried the final yet?

Yes I just installed it, after 3 downloads, 2 where suppost to be the real one, but where older sp-betas, very funny
one thing I immediately noticed it keeps the user settings better than any update I have seen so far from MS, also not re-installing the Mediaplayer or Messenger, if this has to do with me having sp-rc1/2 before I do not know..
I still have to check it further, but think anyone with XP should install SP2..
..XP + SP2 is a much better/safer OS IMHO.

@ Louie6666 , I checked it with my 512mb USB-jumpdrive and it doesn't need the HW detection service, so i'll keep that service of

[Chaos]

SO far so good here as well, I also turned of the MS Firewall and virus protection and auto updates. Until I do some research I have no desire to let MS control what it allow in and out of my system

[Louie6666]

Originally posted by Chaos
SO far so good here as well, I also turned of the MS Firewall and virus protection and auto updates. Until I do some research I have no desire to let MS control what it allow in and out of my system

Just remember to turn autoupdate service(notice i say service) back on when you go to windows update, as it will not work without it!

I'am now very confused I downloaded my copy labeled as final from betaplace (WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU) if I type winver @cmd line it tells me Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158 : Service Pack 2

In IE/help/about IE I get Version 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158

[dipstick]

Okay, installed SP2 and things are definitely a little quicker. Loading apps and just doing things all around seem smoother. I have however noticed that StyleXP no longer works and it could not see my Norton AV running. I turn the WinXP auto updates, AV, and firewall off anyways. Seems like a good upadate to me and I see no problems. My add/remove control panel is also much cleaner lol. Recommended for any XP user

[Razgriz]

*still waits***

[BOB050082]

SP2 is basically a "security update". MS wants to a) provide the average joe with some protection and b) prevent malicious spreads such as spam and worms. They have done this via the "improved" firewall, the security center annoying you until you disable it or do something about it, and limitied the number of connections per second which is a real bummer, and to make matters worse, its coded in the tcpip.sys file so your going to have to rewrite that to get around the limitation.

[MIG-31]

Originally posted by TexasNemesis
*still waits***

you have asked once for download links and i have replied to your request. there are links in this thread

[germanjulian]

ok.. ahh every time I installed the latest audigy 2 patch which I did last (after I posted) it buggers up windoes. It says windows staring on the logon screen and stays there. I did a reinstall again and obviously I though it was something else installed a few things and again the patch and again no JOY!? I did a restore just after I installed winxp (with sp2 intigrated) and that wouldnt work any more either (but why?). anyway I am using kx drives and no problems.... and I finished installing all appss and some of my tweaks... wtf.... really confused

[tazdevl]

Originally posted by germanjulian
ok.. ahh every time I installed the latest audigy 2 patch which I did last (after I posted) it buggers up windoes.

No issue here. Must be somethng specific to your setup. Make sure your card doesn't have an IRQ conflict.

[Zardon]

My MS intellitype for the bluetooth keyboard gives a crash error when loaded, quite funny

fixed it by installing intellitype pro V5 for another keyboard