Service Pack 2 - opinion thread - post your complaints here.

RipperRoo · 08-26-2004, 02:13 PM

Use this thread to have a moan about service pack 2, you know i will.

Gripe 1:

Every time i boot, i now get a stupid ballon tip popup from the task bar telling me to turn on automatic update, and since i disabled the firewall i get told to turn that back on as well.

and how the hell do i get rid of that sheild from the taskbar? i got enough icons there already thank you very much

the hunter · 08-26-2004, 03:19 PM

I voted that Im not bothered by SP2 simply because I didnt install it. Also thats odd about that pain in the ass warning, as I also disabled automatic updates, and never saw that one before. There must be something else you can disable on startup.

the hunter · 08-26-2004, 03:22 PM

Rip try this site, and see if you can get rid of that thing by disabling some unneeded processes.
http://www.blackviper.com/

RipperRoo · 08-26-2004, 03:47 PM

some good info one that site, sadly at the moment it only covers service pack one.

and for my next gripe:

Remote assistance and file and printer sharing let through the firewall as a default?
im sorry, but thats just silly.

gbread49 · 08-26-2004, 04:19 PM

You can get rid of the stupid, annoying shield by installing and using "xp-AntiSpy 3.8.3.1" (the newest version). It has several options related directly to SP2 that you can enable/disable.

I installed SP2 last night, on my test 'puter. So far no problems, however, I was not happy that it did change numerous configuration settings that I had to fix.

Also, anyone that does install it, I would highly recommend that you go through the "Group Policy Editor" (if you are using Pro). There are a bunch of new settings, some good, some bad IMHO.

berks · 08-26-2004, 11:05 PM

so what do you people think I keep seeing the automatic update telling me it's time but i am still weery of it!

FrYGuY · 08-27-2004, 01:08 AM

When you get the popup, click on it.

Go into the thing, and click on the red ones. Most likely to be the firewall and the anti virus.

Click on 'reccomendations' and select the "I have a (Firewall/Anti virus/whatever it says) and will monitor it myself.) Apply this. You won't get the shield anymore.

I suggest turning automatic updates to their lowest on setting which is notify, but don't download or install, because WindowsUpdate gets pissy if you don't have it on.

All three will be display as yellow, which is high enough to not get the popups any more. Hurray!

Wobbel · 08-27-2004, 01:51 AM

Voted not bothered, i have a good AV (NOD32), i have a 'hardware firewall (build into modem), and i've got some common sense....

That is, i don't click every button and/or link i come across.
And i use Firefox instead of IE, don't use outlook.
Maybe i'll install sp2, if all the bugs are filtered out (whenever that may be

)

FrYGuY · 08-27-2004, 07:43 AM

I'm using SP2 right now... not a single bug. Had to set it up a little to get it to how I liked, but other'n that it's hunky-dorey.

the hunter · 08-27-2004, 02:45 PM

Just as a warning, I have personally seen some versions of xp disabled after this update, so be carefull.

technobeast · 08-28-2004, 11:18 AM

I'll agree with Wob and will second hi opinion. Having a good AV proggy and a decent firewall will do everything SP2 claims to have fixed (yea right).
Not bothered to install and probably won't

igalan · 08-30-2004, 06:28 AM

Antivirus software not always is able to stop viruses. If there's a new variant not already on the AV database, it's like you don't have antivirus at all. With SP2 no program can exploit buffer overruns to run code on data areas (with exceptions). However this doesn’t affect Trojans.

Enabling the Firewall by default is annoying for advanced users (most have already a much better FW), but probably a good thing for novice users. That means that even if their computers are infected with viruses, the Firewall should block the viruses from spamming the world (does the FW block outgoing connections? I hope it does or it won’t do much good to solve problems).

At work I will install SP2 on a test computer to see if all of our programs are compatible. Then upgrade a few to expand testing and then all of them. At home I will do a Norton Ghost and then update; I guess that it’s less likely to have problems at home, but who knows.

rastagard · 08-30-2004, 08:16 AM

From what I understand the Windows FW does not block outgoing connections. This effectively renders it more or less useless in preventing most worms from infecting other computers.

However your point about this update fixing the buffer overrun exploit is the first really good reason to consider this update that I have heard. It would be worth considering for this feature, but I would prefer if M$ would release this fix as a standalone without all the garbage most of us will have to undo from SP2.

igalan · 08-30-2004, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rastagard
From what I understand the Windows FW does not block outgoing connections. This effectively renders it more or less useless in preventing most worms from infecting other computers.

If it does not block outgoing connections, it won't do much good to anyone

. Good news for vendors of software firewall, bad news for users.

Quote:

However your point about this update fixing the buffer overrun exploit is the first really good reason to consider this update that I have heard. It would be worth considering for this feature, but I would prefer if M$ would release this fix as a standalone without all the garbage most of us will have to undo from SP2.

Unfortunately this is the main source of possible incompatibilities. Many core elements had to be rewritten to support that. Since there aren't many processors that support the NX flag (No eXecute, right now only on AMD64), so data can't be executed, the software has to take care of this. This means rewriting a lot of core elements. For this reason the SP2 is so big. This also means that some programs may have to be recompiled so they will run with SP2. I can't be more specific but that's what I understand from what I've read.

BTW, Nero 6 has been just updated so it's compatible with SP2. One less on the "not supported by SP2".

igalan · 09-01-2004, 12:58 PM

Ok, I have installed the SP2 on a test computer. Everything works fine so far. It took quite a while to install. It will store uninstall information without asking (I did a Ghost so I didn't need that).

As expected the firewall was activated, but I deactivated it because the computer is behind a hardware firewall. The built in firewall [d]does block outgoing connections[/b]. If a program tries to connect somewhere a dialog will pop up asking you what to do. It doesn't allow restricting anything (ports allowed, addresses allowed) it's all or nothing; but at least gives a basic level of protection.

One thing that I don't like is that it doesn't seem to clean old uninstall files for pre-sp2 patches. However the add/remove entries are deleted

Maybe those files are kept in case you want to uninstall SP2. I can't find the option to delete uninstall information of SP2.

New in SP2

In the control panel there is a new icon "Security Center" which gives access to the firewall settings, security information and Internet settings.

The pop-up blocker integrated in Internet Explorer works very well. It even blocked a pop-up that Avant Browser didn't. It is enabled by default. When a page tries to open a pop-up you see a warning and a link to open the pop-up if you want to.

I'll post my findings as I test everything

.

08-26-2004, 04:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
gbread49 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 744	You can get rid of the stupid, annoying shield by installing and using "xp-AntiSpy 3.8.3.1" (the newest version). It has several options related directly to SP2 that you can enable/disable. I installed SP2 last night, on my test 'puter. So far no problems, however, I was not happy that it did change numerous configuration settings that I had to fix. Also, anyone that does install it, I would highly recommend that you go through the "Group Policy Editor" (if you are using Pro). There are a bunch of new settings, some good, some bad IMHO. __________________

08-26-2004, 11:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
berks PCTT Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,735	so what do you people think I keep seeing the automatic update telling me it's time but i am still weery of it! __________________ Vote For Us!!!

08-27-2004, 01:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
FrYGuY Member Type Guy Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 501	When you get the popup, click on it. Go into the thing, and click on the red ones. Most likely to be the firewall and the anti virus. Click on 'reccomendations' and select the "I have a (Firewall/Anti virus/whatever it says) and will monitor it myself.) Apply this. You won't get the shield anymore. I suggest turning automatic updates to their lowest on setting which is notify, but don't download or install, because WindowsUpdate gets pissy if you don't have it on. All three will be display as yellow, which is high enough to not get the popups any more. Hurray! __________________ -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK----- Version: 3.1 GB/G/H/J/MC/S d-(--)@ s+:+ a-- C !U--- P--- L--(-) E- W N-(--) !o K--- w++ O--- M--(--) V-- PS+ PE+ Y+ PGP- t-- 5-- X- R(+) tv(++) b-- DI+ D---- G- e+++ h-- r* y++ ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------ Yeah, my computer sucks. You try and do better.

08-27-2004, 07:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
FrYGuY Member Type Guy Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 501	I'm using SP2 right now... not a single bug. Had to set it up a little to get it to how I liked, but other'n that it's hunky-dorey. __________________ -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK----- Version: 3.1 GB/G/H/J/MC/S d-(--)@ s+:+ a-- C !U--- P--- L--(-) E- W N-(--) !o K--- w++ O--- M--(--) V-- PS+ PE+ Y+ PGP- t-- 5-- X- R(+) tv(++) b-- DI+ D---- G- e+++ h-- r* y++ ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------ Yeah, my computer sucks. You try and do better.

08-28-2004, 11:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
technobeast The Grim Reaper! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 2,387	I'll agree with Wob and will second hi opinion. Having a good AV proggy and a decent firewall will do everything SP2 claims to have fixed (yea right). Not bothered to install and probably won't __________________ Liked this post and found it helpful? Click on the image under my avatar to add to my reputation

08-26-2004, 03:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
the hunter getting hitched Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,655	I voted that Im not bothered by SP2 simply because I didnt install it. Also thats odd about that pain in the ass warning, as I also disabled automatic updates, and never saw that one before. There must be something else you can disable on startup.

08-26-2004, 03:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
the hunter getting hitched Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,655	Rip try this site, and see if you can get rid of that thing by disabling some unneeded processes. http://www.blackviper.com/

08-27-2004, 01:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Wobbel PCTT's Gatherer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 2004 Posts: 2,861	Voted not bothered, i have a good AV (NOD32), i have a 'hardware firewall (build into modem), and i've got some common sense.... That is, i don't click every button and/or link i come across. And i use Firefox instead of IE, don't use outlook. Maybe i'll install sp2, if all the bugs are filtered out (whenever that may be )

08-27-2004, 02:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
the hunter getting hitched Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,655	Just as a warning, I have personally seen some versions of xp disabled after this update, so be carefull.

08-30-2004, 06:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
igalan PCTT Articles Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, SPAIN Posts: 1,018	Antivirus software not always is able to stop viruses. If there's a new variant not already on the AV database, it's like you don't have antivirus at all. With SP2 no program can exploit buffer overruns to run code on data areas (with exceptions). However this doesn’t affect Trojans. Enabling the Firewall by default is annoying for advanced users (most have already a much better FW), but probably a good thing for novice users. That means that even if their computers are infected with viruses, the Firewall should block the viruses from spamming the world (does the FW block outgoing connections? I hope it does or it won’t do much good to solve problems). At work I will install SP2 on a test computer to see if all of our programs are compatible. Then upgrade a few to expand testing and then all of them. At home I will do a Norton Ghost and then update; I guess that it’s less likely to have problems at home, but who knows.

08-30-2004, 08:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
rastagard Humble Idiot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 2,271	From what I understand the Windows FW does not block outgoing connections. This effectively renders it more or less useless in preventing most worms from infecting other computers. However your point about this update fixing the buffer overrun exploit is the first really good reason to consider this update that I have heard. It would be worth considering for this feature, but I would prefer if M$ would release this fix as a standalone without all the garbage most of us will have to undo from SP2.

09-01-2004, 12:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
igalan PCTT Articles Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, SPAIN Posts: 1,018	Ok, I have installed the SP2 on a test computer. Everything works fine so far. It took quite a while to install. It will store uninstall information without asking (I did a Ghost so I didn't need that). As expected the firewall was activated, but I deactivated it because the computer is behind a hardware firewall. The built in firewall [d]does block outgoing connections[/b]. If a program tries to connect somewhere a dialog will pop up asking you what to do. It doesn't allow restricting anything (ports allowed, addresses allowed) it's all or nothing; but at least gives a basic level of protection. One thing that I don't like is that it doesn't seem to clean old uninstall files for pre-sp2 patches. However the add/remove entries are deleted Maybe those files are kept in case you want to uninstall SP2. I can't find the option to delete uninstall information of SP2. New in SP2 In the control panel there is a new icon "Security Center" which gives access to the firewall settings, security information and Internet settings. The pop-up blocker integrated in Internet Explorer works very well. It even blocked a pop-up that Avant Browser didn't. It is enabled by default. When a page tries to open a pop-up you see a warning and a link to open the pop-up if you want to. I'll post my findings as I test everything .

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