Windows XP Service Pack 2 due

[Keith Heitmann]

A Windows XP upgrade in the form a Service Pack 2 will soon be made available for download. This pack will plug many holes used by hackers, etc. It will also add some new features and security.

If you have been keeping your XP updated all along you will not have to download the full 270MB of SP2. You may only have to deal with 93MB of it.

A few weeks after the download is released, you can request a copy of it on CD free, but it will take about 4-6 weeks to arrive.

You can read more about SP2 here:

www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

[Phil Walker]

Well, I have it and installed. Some chnges but nothing really unexpected or that I'm delighted with.

There are two things that annoyed me though. There is now a "pop-up" menu bar when you attempt to download files or have files with ActiveX contols or animations running. Can clear the download issue via the help menu and it's in your security options in Internet Explorer. The other thing being if you use Windows Messenger, it automatically updates you to version 5, which in my opinion is a farse. I quickly uninstalled it and put version 4.7 back on.

Other than that seems to work well. You CAN turn off the Firewall and Virus protection if you have one already or keep it up and running for extra protection. Personally, I turned them off as I've had no problem with what I have already.

Just to metion what I have seen and my not so humble opinions too of course... ;D One note; if you use dial-up connections and you need only the 70+/- Megs, will take about roughly 8 hourrs for the download.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Keith Heitmann]

I went ahead and ordered the SP2 on the free CD last week. Rather than try to download it I thought it was a smarter move, that way if I have to ever wipe the HD and reinstall Windows I can just install from a CD instead of having to spend all that time online downloading a monster sized file.

[Phil Walker]

Yes, it would have been easier, but I had nothing better to do at the time, so went ahead. I did order the CD too though. For the same reason you mentioned!!!

Sincerely,
Phil