Chris Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 SAN DIEGO -- Microsoft (Quote, Chart) plans to spend about $300 million to support the launch of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (XP SP2), company officials said. The security-centric XP update, which enjoyed top billing at this week's TechEd conference, will be available as a "critical" download via Microsoft's Windows Update feature and will ship with all new PCs as part of an agreement with OEMs (define) and computer retailers.In an interview with internetnews.com, Tony Goodhew, product manager in Microsoft's Developer Group, said a chunk of the $300 million campaign will be spent working with OEMs to get the service pack installed on new PCs. "We'll be working with retailers like CompUSA and BestBuy to have SP2 installed on all new machines, even those that were shipped to the stores without the upgrade," he said."Ideally, every PC in the store will have SP2 pre-installed. For those computers that ship to retailers without the upgrade, we're working to get the upgrade installed at the time of the sale to the consumer. The customer will be able to wander into store, buy a machine and walk out with SP2 installed."Security experts believe Microsoft should ship free CDs with the service pack in order to get around the narrowband hurdle dial-up customers run into if they try to download the service pack. But Goodhew said it was likely consumers would have to pay for shipping and handling. More | Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I am and have been running the RC2 of SP2 on my windows box for a week, not to mention RC1 for about 3 and I'm enjoying it so far. I have noticed no change, other than the automatic updates MUST be on and MUST be set to doadnload automatically. (nuscience for dial-up users i.e. ME!) But the security features such as built in firewall (which doesn't seem any better than the SP1 firewall, just more in your face).Overall, no problems and a solid, safe environment. If my anti-virus (AVG Free Edition) is not up to date, or is reporting that it needs to update (for some reason windows knows before AVG even knows!) it makes sure I know and will not remove the icon from my taskbar untill it is delt with. I find this to be a slight bit annoying, but hey. There is a few good things about this. The average End-User will feel MUCH safer, and I feel better knowing that microsoft is putting the trillion dollars* it makes from sales of windows to good use.*Not an actual fact, but it's got to be damn close :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christmascracker Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I have noticed no change, other than the automatic updates MUST be on and MUST be set to doadnload automatically.Don't like this bit I like to know what I'm downloading before I download it :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted June 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 You can turn 'em off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christmascracker Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Good, thanks powerless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 It does appear that SP2 stops the isorecorder powertoy from working tho :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted June 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 "Breaking" News: As many have by now undoubtedly noticed, ISO Recorder does not work on the Windows XP SP2 (any build up to and including RC1). Unlike some software vendors (y'all know who you are), who simply says that their software is not supported on the pre-release operating systems, I acknowledge the problem. In fact, the first version of ISO Recorded has been created for a beta build of Windows XP. There will be an update. The current plan is to work on it throughout May and have it ready by SP2 RTM date. I apologize for any inconvenience caused to the existing users, but SP2 was a major update on Microsoft behalf and quite a few things got broken. I have my reasons for not releasing the update earlier and would appreciate your understanding.http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I did check the site, and got that information but others may have missed it.Hope the update comes soon tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Can someone pleas remind me how to access the settings for XP firewall, so that I can switch it off. I was told how to do this once before but forgot to save the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 From XP Help & Support:To enable or disable Internet Connection FirewallOpen Network Connections Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following: To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box. To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted June 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Control Panel, Network Connections, Right click on your connection and choose properties, Advanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 You can turn 'em off.Yea powerless, you can. The only thing is, like I said before, you get an annoying 'shield' in your taskbar that will not go away untill you 'fix' the problem (turn automatic updates back on). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Control Panel, Network Connections, Right click on your connection and choose properties, Advanced.Many thanks, info saved this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I have noticed no change, other than the automatic updates MUST be on and MUST be set to doadnload automatically.Don't like this bit I like to know what I'm downloading before I download it :( Well, here's how it goes. An icon pops up in my taskbar. (Not the red one. That's for security alerts, it's yellow) and when I hover my mouse over it, it shows me how much has downloaded so far (like the old windows with the globe) but, I cannot pause it, I cannot cancel it, and I cannot see the details about whats being downloaded.Now, the 1st thing I have to say, this is good, because these are critical updates (according to m$) so I would probably install them anyways. There is, however, a way to see the details about the updates, but I think it's before you install them, which is a little late especially for large updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madboy33 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 there is hude difference in RC2 you can configure the firewall as to what programmes you let out, rather than just a basic firewall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madboy33 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 also it has an integrated pop up stopper which also allows configuration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madboy33 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madboy33 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 updates with RC2 can also be scheduled, although i do manual updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christmascracker Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Has OE had a facelift too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madboy33 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 No it hasnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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