TCS - Bits and Bytes and XP SP2

Bits and Bytes and XP SP2

by Siles Bazerman, APCUG Representative
Orange County IBM PC Users' Group, CA
From the October, 2004 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter

I have been using SP2 RC2 for several weeks now, but have held off writing about it until several issues were resolved. It has become obvious that the rumor of Microsoft allowing any computer running Windows XP to install SP2 were just that, rumors. Microsoft has decided that it is more important to prevent upgrades to "pirated" versions than to prevent the spread of viruses, Trojans and spyware. Not only will the new Windows update v5 not recognize these keys, but it also blocks out a number of perfectly legitimately purchased CD keys or more accurately Product Identification keys. Most of these are on Dell computers. This figures that the original pirated Windows XP was a Dell volume license edition and presumably the other CD keys came from the same source.

However, it did my heart good to see that one of Usenet's self-proclaimed experts, whose answer to almost any Windows XP problem involving patches or upgrades, is to accuse the poster of having a pirated copy of Windows XP and telling them to buy a legitimate copy, had the exact problem on one of his three computers. Microsoft is working on the solution, but I am sure that the hackers and crackers out there will have the solution first. They almost always do.

Microsoft has announced that the full released-to-manufacture (RTM or Gold) would be available in August. The download will be installable over SP2 RC2 according to sources within Microsoft. It you do want to uninstall RC2, be sure that the Show Upgrades box is checked in Add or Remove Programs.

I have already heard comments about waiting six months after RTM to install SP2, but most of these have come from people running sans SP1. SP2 is mostly about security but also includes the following Revised sections: Data execution prevention, DCOM Security Enhancements, Filter for Add or Remove Programs, Setup, Download, Attachment, and Authenticode enhancements, Internet Explorer File Download Prompt, Outlook Express E-mail Attachment Prompt, Add-on Install Prompt, Group Policy Internet Explorer Settings, Script repositioning of Internet Explorer windows, Zone Evaluation Blocks.

Of course, it still will not protect users who insist on downloading everything they see offered for free or insist on clicking yes on pop-ups without reading. Build an idiot-proof program and nature will build a better idiot.

Are there any problems with this service pack? Yes, a few, but most seem to be systems or individual program-specific. Outside of the PID problem, the biggest complaint is that third party software is not using the built-in hooks in this pack. Most software developers will not release patches for this until RTM is firm. They fear last minute changes will negate all their work so they wait. Remember, this happened with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE and Windows ME.

There is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author. The Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member, brings this article to you.



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Tulsa Computer Society 10/01/2004
Don Singleton, President