SP2?

SP2?

• JReuben1

  But my parents hate updateing the computer, the last two times it trashed it.
  

• Jonathan Eden

  How do you quantify 'more secure' Does this mean that the SP1 boxes get less viruses than the SP2 ones It sounds like your SP2 box has issues with the way it's been set up. I have SP2 on a number of machines, not one has any problems, or works differently to how it did with SP1.

  It seems to me that SP2 is probably an artificial constraint, I don't see why it would be needed. They are pushing SP2 for the sake of getting people fully patched, I believe.

  I'm sure there are forums where people have SP2 problems. I certainly had to configure it to make my computer keep running as it should, only because I'm a developer and I run code that does stuff the average user probably wouldn't. I'm not trying to do anyone's dirty work, I'm speaking as an observer, and my observation is that Microsoft had a good chance to force recalcitrant users to patch their PCs, and they have taken that opportunity. Given how long ago SP2 came out, I can't imagine that any affected machines have much of a life span left anyhow.

  
  
  

• rustintrans

  I hope you're not talking about me. My grammar used to be bad, but she's reformed now.... :P

  
  
  

• Mike_1232123432

  What Microsoft don't seen to realise is that there are users out there that STILL can't use SP2 on there PCs due to driver incompatibilities. - thus they can't use Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Basic 2005

  To solve this problem they need to release updates that allow the users to update the files required for Visual Studio/Basic 2005 so they can use this software. without SP2

  Before anyone says; I'm not one of them users. but a friend of mine is.

  And I know most will say "But that’s the fault of the hardware manufacturer" - what if they can't acquire updated drivers because the hardware manufacturer is out of business or doesn’t support a certain piece of hardware

  personaly I think SP2 is "Bloatware" and most features are completly useless unless your a complete Windows based PC newcomer and don't recommend it on the PCs I build and use in my business (and YES my PCs are VERY secure! - even more so without SP2)

  
  
  

• MLangille

  I've updated many PCs, from W95 to W98, from W95 or W98 to W2000, from W2000 to XP, Xp to SP1, SP1 to SP2. I've never trashed a computer. The problem is not with the software, it's just not taking the right steps to do it properly. With changing the OS, it's best to do a backup to another drive, or even better, put a new drive in, install the OS, then copy the files from the old drive.

  With SP2, you just need to run it, although once you're done, you may find the firewall will block some stuff you want unblocked, I'd do some research on the web first for how to fix those sort of problems, in case you lose web access initially. In my case, updating did create some problems with apps I write, and I had to create some rules in the firewall to get it all working.

  Either way, you have no choice, if you want to use any VS2005 product, you need SP2. And if you don't have SP2, your computer is far more liable to be hit with viruses and spyware, which is surely reason enough to upgrade.

  
  
  

• Frederick Staats

  Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.

  
  
  

• JCD

  there is nothing wrong with the way the SP2 PC was setup - for a start thats the only manufacturered PC in my household. and i've checked everything I possibly could.

  what if people don't want every update included in SP2 they should have the choice. they bought the right to use the software in the first place.

  I've had experience of configuring XP SP2 PCs and don't want to have this experience often.

  as an observer, user and member of support staff for my company I believe Microsoft are abusing their possition of the market in the way they sell, market and force the users to do what they want.

  you also imagine wrong, there are new PCs out there with SP2 problems, that really should have at least 5 years life span left in them before we even think about upgrading them.

  
  
  

• Manes

  How can I get it other than automatic updates then
  

• MS_ISV

  Microsoft are in a bind. Everyone complains that windows is not secure, but so many users don't bother to patch their PCs. With SP2, they have a chance to push XP users towards a secure OS. I don't think a handful of users who buy cheap hardware with poorly written drivers should change that focus.

  
  
  

• cmb1

  A handfull - there are forums online full with users with SP2 problems - thats more than a handfull!

  Microsoft software will never be secure - its the most popular software thus Virus writters and other crettins will choose to attack this software. SP2 won't stop this.

  This has already been proven.

  for example: there are 4PCs in my household (3 in use) all have Windows XP - one has SP2 the rest have SP1 - the ones with SP1 are the most secure out of the lot and have the least hardware and software problems. not to mention that the PCs with SP1 perform their duties as home PCs much, much, much better than the SP2 PC.

  I still say Microsoft need to get their arse in gear regarding Visual Studio and SP2

  giving users the option of choosing what parts of SP2 they wish to install would be a better idea (oviously some will want to install it all)

  and what if the hardware wasn't cheap and to replace it would probably break a company

  cgraus: you don't seem to understand this issue and look at it with a very one sided point of view. so i suggest that Microsoft deal with this issue instead of you trying to do their dirty work for them.

  cgraus wrote:

  Microsoft are in a bind.  Everyone complains that windows is not secure, but so many users don't bother to patch their PCs.  With SP2, they have a chance to push XP users towards a secure OS.  I don't think a handful of users who buy cheap hardware with poorly written drivers should change that focus.

  It should change their focus. most companies have two choices. 1.purchase cheap PCs and use Microsoft software. 2.buy more expensive and reliable PCs but use a free or cheaper alternative to Microsoft products.

  So really, if Microsoft don't change their focus they will lose business. eventually all business which will leave Microsoft on its arse. Bill Gates is meant to be a marketting genius... 

  ...Even a 12 year kid I know can see where he, his company and software is going wrong!

   

  
  
  

• Raoshan

  You can google for it, and download it from the Microsoft site. Or, you can look at computer magazines if you don't have the bandwidth - they often carry it on cover CDs.

  
  
  

• stelioshalk

  It's surprising how many people are asking this. The reason the install says you need SP2 is... you need SP2. There is no earlier version to install.

  
  
  

• Gabor Halasz

  k

  Gee, us programmers have bad grammar. (talking about me, not you)

  
  
• SP2?