A Computer Question

Ed_13

I use Windows XP Home as my Operating System. I have recently received notice that Microsoft has an update (Service Pack 2), which they want us to install. All of my other MS updates are always up to date. Also my virus scan automatically updates on an ongoing basis.

I received an e-mail from SBC Yahoo (one of my ISP’s) that if I install SP2 from Microsoft, that some of my programs “may not work the same”. They (SBC Yahoo) offer a patch for the service pack. Why should I already need a patch from SBC Yahoo, for Microsoft’s update that I have yet to install???

Has anyone downloaded that Service Pack 2 yet, and if so has it given you any problems. I am concerned that it may affect how some of my programs work. All of the programs that I have loaded in the computer are legitimate versions, (no knock offs), but I am just concerned that if I loose data there could be a problem.

I back up everything, then back up the back ups, but putting it all back together after a problem is a pain in the tail. Has anyone had any experiences with SP2 yet????

Regards,

Edward A. (Ed) Carey

jackchips_2

Ed,

have you checked to see if you even require the update?

I went into the Microsoft update and it reviewed my system and said I was all set. My computer is about six months old and has XP office (just an upgraded XP home)

The site does not update without asking you first. If it says you need it you can back out and then do some more checking.

Jack

doug_16

Installing service packs

is generally a good idea. MS issues patches to fix problems that come up, like the security holes. Once enough small fixes are accumulated, a Service Pack is created that will apply all the fixes and updates to the older installs of Windows. For example, my 4 PC's are all on Windows 2000 Pro and we are up to SP4 because Win2000Pro has been out a longer time.
When you hit Update, the PC goes to the MS site and will ask if it needs to download a small program that will look at the level of updates in your machine. You can then see what the recommended updates are and decide what to do. Updates are usually catagorized into operating syatem, enhancements/features, bug fixes, security patches, new drivers, communications issues, Internet Explorer and so on.

You can pick and choose. However in the case of Service Packs, it comes bundled with all the stuff to date and when applied, brings your PC up to the date of the current release of Windows. So if you get a new PC, it should be current and if you run Update, it will probably tell you that you either do not have to do anything or it may recommend some minor updates.

Issues with security should not be ignored. The thing with Yahoo may be related to Windows now blocking some of the things Yahoo likes to do such as tracking your activities on Yahoo. I use a Yahoo mail account and some of the forums that pertain to software that I use. Although my PC is current, I have not found anything that does not work. But you may see for example, that the address book in Yahoo mail does not function the same because Microsoft has plugged a security leak or that Microsoft wants you to use MSN so tweaks Windows to make it a little less useful with Yahoo et al..

So you could install SP2 and check it out and then install the Yahoo patch if needed.

Ed_13

Computer update

Thanks for the response guys.

Doug, I agree and do want to install the service pack 2, however I am concerned if anyone else has done it an has ran into problems.

Jack, When I manually check it says my computer is also up to date. However, it also says that the only way SP2 will download is through an AUTOMATIC update. You can not yet install in manually. I do not know why.

I set my defaults to automatically notify me but not to install until I say OK. I am going away for the weekend, and whn I get back on Monday I will install it, if no one else posts that they had any problems.

Thanks again Guys,
Ed

Ed_13

Computer update

Thanks for the response guys.

Doug, I agree and do want to install the service pack 2, however I am concerned if anyone else has done it and if they had any problems.

Jack, When I manually check it says my computer is also up to date. However, it also says that the only way SP2 will download is through an AUTOMATIC update. You can not yet install in manually. I do not know why.

I set my defaults to automatically notify me but not to automatically install until I say OK. I am going away for the weekend, and whn I get back on Monday I will install it, if no one else posts that they had any problems.

Thanks again Guys,
Ed

Ed_13

Computer update

Thanks for the response guys.

Doug, I agree and do want to install the service pack 2, however I am concerned if anyone else has done it and if they had any problems.

Jack, When I manually check it says my computer is also up to date. However, it also says that the only way SP2 will download is through an AUTOMATIC update. You can not yet install in manually. I do not know why.

I set my defaults to automatically notify me but not to automatically install until I say OK. I am going away for the weekend, and whn I get back on Monday I will install it, if no one else posts that they had any problems.

Thanks again Guys,
Ed

Ed_13

Computer update

Thanks for the response guys.

Doug, I agree and do want to install the service pack 2, however I am concerned if anyone else has done it and if they had any problems.

Jack, When I manually check it says my computer is also up to date. However, it also says that the only way SP2 will download is through an AUTOMATIC update. You can not yet install in manually. I do not know why.

I set my defaults to automatically notify me but not to automatically install until I say OK. I am going away for the weekend, and when I get back on Monday I will install it, if no one else posts that they had any problems.

Thanks again Guys,
Ed

Ed_13

Computer update

Thanks for the response

Doug, I agree and do want to install the service pack 2, however I am concerned if anyone else has done it and if they had any problems.

Jack, When I manually check it says my computer is also up to date. However, it also says that the only way SP2 will download is through an AUTOMATIC update. You can not yet install in manually. I do not know why.

I set my defaults to automatically notify me but not to automatically install until I say OK. I am going away for the weekend, and when I get back on Monday I will install it, if no one else posts that they had any problems.

Thanks again Guys,
Ed

Ken_8

Did it 4 days ago

So far, no problems in any other programs (Quickbooks, Adobe Photshop, MSN IM, IE, Real, Spybot or most importantly, The Wall (:-o)

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Ed_13

Computers

Thanks for the response Ken.

Ed

Ed_13

Computers

Thanks for the response Ken.

Ed

J.C.A._3

Ed,

My little brother works for a "big conglomerate type company" doing I.T.. After the last virus that got me BAD!, he took my computer to work and showed it to his boss.

Even this guy hadn't seen the damage this virus was doing EVER. He saw flaws that were beyond anyones normal comprehension, chased them down, and found out quite a bit by looking at them.

His boss also happens to be one of the best computer guys in the country, and was using a "test version" of the Windows SP2. I actually had it about 4 months ago, and when the update came out, I DID download it. There are a couple slight differences, but you will notice them right away. If there is a "pop-up", a line will show it to you just under your address bar, and will ASK if you would like to view it. If you don't, it will block it from viewing any of your personal information,UNLESS you click on it.

Other than a couple other minor slow downs while it checks all incoming information, you will notice VERY FEW differences.

One warning. It does take a while to download, but Microsoft has made this patch, so that you can pretty much run your machine "normally", while the updates are being installed. (that was one of their biggest priorities). Chris

jerry scharf_2

Why Yahoo may need a patch for SP2

Ed,

SP2, in my opinion, is a must have install for any XP system. It doesn't close all the holes, but it makes an XP system connected to the internet much safer than anything MS has released before.

Of course, being more secure will always come at some price. A totally disconnected system is much safer, but not very useful in today's world. In tightening up the default way that XP deals with Internet connections, they broke a number of tools that depended on a looser level of security. Developers have had beta versions of SP2 for months, and should have any updated needed on their end to make them work with SP2. Given that Yahoo is doing lots with internet connections, it's no surprise that they would need to tweak a few things to work with SP2. It may not be the programs that change, but the installer needing to do things to the system to allow their apps to work.

Jackchips: Office XP brings you word, excel and friends, and has nothing to do with Windows XP and the SP2 upgrade.

jerry

jerry scharf_2

Why Yahoo may need a patch for SP2

Ed,

SP2, in my opinion, is a must have install for any XP system. It doesn't close all the holes, but it makes an XP system connected to the internet much safer than anything MS has released before.

Of course, being more secure will always come at some price. A totally disconnected system is much safer, but not very useful in today's world. In tightening up the default way that XP deals with Internet connections, they broke a number of tools that depended on a looser level of security. Developers have had beta versions of SP2 for months, and should have any updates needed on their end to make them work with SP2. Given that Yahoo is doing lots with Internet connections, it's no surprise that they would need to tweak a few things to work with SP2. It may not be the programs that change, but the installer needing to do things to the system to allow their apps to work.

Jackchips: Office XP brings you word, excel and friends, and has nothing to do with Windows XP and the SP2 upgrade.

jerry

jackchips_2

Is that why

when I go to the site for upgrade checks it doesn't ask if I want the SP2?

Thanks.

Jack