XP SP2 Good or Bad?

[Zerotrek]

I have not been around the computer community much the past couple years. I recall a lot of complaints from people installing XP Pro SP2 when it first came out. Is this still the case, should I install or pass?

 

[mike3uz]

My dad and I run SP2 and its good though mine is down. The security enhancements are nice.

 

[The Linuxator]

Zerotrek
Junior Member

Posts: 5
Joined: 03/08/2004

:shocked:



mike3uz
Member

Posts: 130
Joined: 10/29/2004

:shocked:

 

[Nothinman]

I have not been around the computer community much the past couple years. I recall a lot of complaints from people installing XP Pro SP2 when it first came out. Is this still the case, should I install or pass?

There are a lot of complaints about everything, most of them are from misinformed people that don't understand what they're complaining about.

 

[EatSpam]

SP2 is good... no complaints here.

 

[Noema]

I really like it. I have been using it for about a year now. Being a long time Windows user, I was quite surprised by its stability compared to Windows 9x. I have never had any problems with Malware / Viruses during that time, nor have I had it crash a single time.

People complain that it is bloated, but you can customize the GUI in many ways to reduce resource usage. If you keep it patched and use mainly an account with no admin privileges for normal (ie, gaming, web surfing) usage, you won't have any troubles, at all.

 

[daake07]

Well I use it and have no problems, it just takes time to customize it correctly. Disable the firewall and it solves a lot of problems that users have. Use a different firewall of your choice and there is no problem.

 

[diapickle]

Originally posted by: The Linuxator
Zerotrek
Junior Member

Posts: 5
Joined: 03/08/2004

:shocked:



mike3uz
Member

Posts: 130
Joined: 10/29/2004

:shocked:

 

[Erasertone]

IMO, SP2 is 10 times much secured than SP1a or SP1.

 

[phisrow]

There were more than a few occasions where installing SP2 on top of your ghastly malware riddled warzone of an SP1 box was an excellent way to make it never boot again; but assuming you install it properly it is a clear improvement.

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: The Linuxator
Zerotrek
Junior Member

Posts: 5
Joined: 03/08/2004

:shocked:



mike3uz
Member

Posts: 130
Joined: 10/29/2004

:shocked:

Was that really necessary? geez...

 

[KoolDrew]

There is no reason not to install SP2 and plenty of reasons to do so.

 

[Zerotrek]

Let me start by saying thank you for all the information.

I did find that first post odd and not really sure how to take it considering I stated I have not been following things much. Probably one of the reasons I got out of computer scene in the first place. I got started in 1994 and was pretty hardcore, running a clan gaming website with at least 15 members around the world. It was fun until about 2003 when I found it too hard to keep up with the technology changes, costs, time commitment and my 12 hour a day banking job.

It also seemed much of the fun of the community was lost. Single forums sites became huge multiforums and every post was met with flames and comments about how this comment or that is posted in the wrong place.

Don't get me wrong I still appreciate all the assistance from everyone, I guess I just don't have the patience I once did. Thank you.

 

[Dennis Travis]

SP2 works great on all my machines and gives a lot more security. Like has already been said, There is NO REASON not to install it but many reasons you should.

 

[Link19]

Considering it has already been well over a year since SP2 was released, doesn't that make it seem that any prior service pack is outdated. There is clearly no reason not to have it installed now.

 

[The Linuxator]

Originally posted by: Zerotrek
Let me start by saying thank you for all the information.

I did find that first post odd and not really sure how to take it considering I stated I have not been following things much. Probably one of the reasons I got out of computer scene in the first place. I got started in 1994 and was pretty hardcore, running a clan gaming website with at least 15 members around the world. It was fun until about 2003 when I found it too hard to keep up with the technology changes, costs, time commitment and my 12 hour a day banking job.

It also seemed much of the fun of the community was lost. Single forums sites became huge multiforums and every post was met with flames and comments about how this comment or that is posted in the wrong place.

Don't get me wrong I still appreciate all the assistance from everyone, I guess I just don't have the patience I once did. Thank you.

Sorry I was jking that's all, concerning SP2 all I have to say that it complicates a lot of things on some machines , it fcked up my capability to connect to the internet on my machine, and non of MS patches were able to fix the problem, and at that point I said to myself screw it you need an alternative, and Booya the penguin took care of everything from that point.

 

[rogue1979]

I have not used SP2 personally, but many of my clients do, and of course all new WinXP software has it by default. The only problem I could see with it, was downloading on an existing install of XP with tons of software already loaded. Sometimes it can "break" a software program if installed after the fact.

I sit behind a cable modem and a router, both which have firewalls enabled. Without getting flamed, can I ask what better security SP2 could give me? I currently use WinXP Pro with SP1 no updates and it works great for me.

Also I have at least 20 repairs a week of WinXP SP2 being completely overwhelmed by spyware/malware and viruses/trojans/worms. Of course most of these people depend on Norton or McAfee, both of which are lacking good protection even with updates.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: EatSpam
SP2 is good... no complaints here.

Same here--- on three computers.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: rogue1979I sit behind a cable modem and a router, both which have firewalls enabled. Without getting flamed, can I ask what better security SP2 could give me? I currently use WinXP Pro with SP1 no updates and it works great for me.

Service Pack 2 eliminated a lot of worm vulnerabilities and they worked to reduce the overall attackability of the OS in other ways. Among them, the ability to make use of hardware-enforced Data Execution Prevention if you have a CPU that supports that (Athlon64, some Pentium 4, all Pentium D, and some Celeron D).

Here's Microsoft's site with good info: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx You won't have to read far to see that it's more than just turning on the firewall and adding a popup blocker.

 

[foodfightr]

I like it.

 

[rogue1979]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: rogue1979I sit behind a cable modem and a router, both which have firewalls enabled. Without getting flamed, can I ask what better security SP2 could give me? I currently use WinXP Pro with SP1 no updates and it works great for me.

Service Pack 2 eliminated a lot of worm vulnerabilities and they worked to reduce the overall attackability of the OS in other ways. Among them, the ability to make use of hardware-enforced Data Execution Prevention if you have a CPU that supports that (Athlon64, some Pentium 4, all Pentium D, and some Celeron D).

Here's Microsoft's site with good info: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx You won't have to read far to see that it's more than just turning on the firewall and adding a popup blocker.

Thank you for a very informative answer. In theory, it looks like Microsoft is trying to help XP from online/browsing problems. But in reality I don't see any difference when my customers come in with XP either SP1 or SP2 bogged down beyond belief with every critter you can imagine and more.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: rogue1979

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: rogue1979I sit behind a cable modem and a router, both which have firewalls enabled. Without getting flamed, can I ask what better security SP2 could give me? I currently use WinXP Pro with SP1 no updates and it works great for me.

Service Pack 2 eliminated a lot of worm vulnerabilities and they worked to reduce the overall attackability of the OS in other ways. Among them, the ability to make use of hardware-enforced Data Execution Prevention if you have a CPU that supports that (Athlon64, some Pentium 4, all Pentium D, and some Celeron D).

Here's Microsoft's site with good info: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx You won't have to read far to see that it's more than just turning on the firewall and adding a popup blocker.

Thank you for a very informative answer. In theory, it looks like Microsoft is trying to help XP from online/browsing problems. But in reality I don't see any difference when my customers come in with XP either SP1 or SP2 bogged down beyond belief with every critter you can imagine and more.

I'd bet the majority of the infestations are ultimately the result of the users being gullible or ill-informed (or just plain reckless), in the usual ways. That's a user problem, not a Microsoft problem. But you've probably noticed that Microsoft has struck back anyway, issuing a new Malicious Software Removal Tool every month to help bail people out of some prevalant infections after the fact. So there's one reason to get those customers' Automatic Updates turned on. If they have multiple systems at home, SP2 should help prevent worms from spreading from one to another, too.

Also, if you look at the WMF Exploit link in my signature, you'll see another instance of how Bad Stuff could come past your firewall and try to exploit your system. Patch, and you're invulnerable. Don't patch, and it'll boil down to whether your antivirus software recognizes a particular instance of the exploit or not. If the antivirus software fails to recognize it, then here's hoping you don't use an Administrator-level account for web browsing, IM or email.

One of the other tweaks in SP2 is a damage-control feature that prevents a compromised system from spreading worms as quickly. It limits the number of half-open TCP/IP connections to ten at a time, if I remember correctly. The same worm would have a much slower time finding new vulnerable hosts to infect if it's controlling an SP2-equipped system.

Anyway, if nothing else, I believe Windows Movie Maker got some improvements with SP2 plus the scrollie bar on the bootup screen is now blue on WinXP Home Ok, I'm reaching... but I'd certainly take the trouble to get SP2 installed and fully enable DEP, particularly if the system's got a DEP-capable CPU.

 

[rogue1979]

OK, thanks, you have convinced me that it is a totally good thing.

And yes, you are right, many users are gullible, ill-informed and just plain reckless.
But that insures that I have plenty of customers, so sometimes being dumb is a good
thing, at least for me!

Edit, checked out your link.

I see you recommend Antivir. It is simply one of the best, not to mention it is a free version.

 

[Cynicist]

Install sp2 and then disable the security center, yay

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
There is no reason not to install SP2 and plenty of reasons to do so.

:thumbsup: