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Scheduled to arrive on PC’s worldwide early in 2004, Microsoft’s second Service Pack for Windows XP, has sent an array of mixed feelings across the industry and has led to many disgruntled users, to whom officials can merely say ‘that they are refining the Pack as problems come up. For some users, this is simply not good enough, however for others the updated Operating System has led to a significant increase in performance and security.
At the hefty size of 266 megabytes, the update is Microsoft’s biggest yet. They claim it is going to revolutionise the home-computing industry, however sceptics have latched themselves onto the fact that there are compatibility issues with the new Service Pack. Windows is still adamant that the cost of a large download size and installation difficulties are outweighed by usability and security improvements provided by the pack.
In response to the continuous increase in harmful exploits that plague the internet (which is growing rapidly as a marketing, educational and recreational medium), the new SP2 comes packed with tighter default security features and substantial improvements to the Wireless Networking capabilities of the Operating System.
The new Windows Security Centre provides a simple and efficient method whereby an inexperienced user can easily protect their computer without very much adjustment to the default settings. Although this might seem like a huge improvement to the poor security provided in SP1, for more experienced users, it is more a hindrance than helpful.
To name just a two of the ‘invisible’ changes to the way you operate, Windows has brought in updated driver versions as well as a change to the way XP handles system processes. There are obviously hundreds of other behind-the-scenes expansions but it is not within the scope of this article for us to go any deeper into the subject.
For most users however those changes will not affect you in any way. Instead you may notice considerable Security enhancements, which sometimes prove to be more hassle than they are actually worth. On installation of SP2, immediately, your attention is brought to the new-look Security Centre, which highlights the parts of your computer’s protection system which may be vulnerable to attack. Although this is nice to have (and be aware of), previous Firewall and Anti-Virus programs are now rendered inefficient until the Security settings are changed. As it is pointless to configure two firewalls on the same system, Windows (by default) suggests that the other Firewall present should be disabled and uninstalled.
For good reason, the application allows you the option to ignore Windows’ own solutions and render its capabilities secondary to any others. This option also allows you to make use of some features and not others, allowing for compatibility issues to be easily solved.
In addition to the above, integrated support for new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, which until now has widely relied on external drivers and utilities, has been implemented allowing for a safer and simpler introduction to the growing popularity of the products. New to the Networking Screens are added security features for existing wired-networking as well as a Step-by-Step Setup application for configuring your Wireless Network.
In an continuing attempt to rid the user of unwanted ‘pop-ups’ the new Internet Explorer patch now comes with built in Security modules to protect your computer from malicious communications. This however, has been widely frowned upon by many ‘casual internet users’ as it shows no form of differentiation between any types of sites. This causes many help-files to load incorrectly and has even been said to produce undesired effects with Java-Script powered frames. The solution is that you click on a bar which then offers you the decision to allow pop-ups from that page. However, for reasons I am yet to understand, the whole web- page then has to reload in order for you to view the one window that was being withheld.
Although Symantec still claims that its products are 100% compatible with the new Service Pack, it should be noted that Symantec cannot run in conjunction with Windows Service Pack 2 as its security products are extremely difficult to configure. Symantec still supports Microsoft’s efforts to supply SP2 and their spokesperson says that the difficulties experienced will soon be patched to allow the programs to run alongside each other and in doing so, they claim they will provide the most ‘complete, consistent and comprehensive’ security solution that the average Windows users will ever have seen.
Sceptics of the new Service Pack have targeted the fact that although the basic configuration of the Firewall has been simplified, Windows is yet again “limiting the user’s options by taking full (unrivalled) control of the process”. They also say that it is this method of development is one which has made Windows famous throughout the years. Many more experienced users are moving towards Open-Source software because of customisability provided by their Applications.
Another big issue that the new release has faced is that of program and hardware incompatibility. Prescott C-0 processors have reeked havoc throughout the industry due to their lack of BIOS support for the new pack. Windows recently released an article whereby one can determine whether there are likely to be issues after installation; however on the installation of the pack, these details are still vacant. Windows continues to provide no warnings that their software is incompatible with certain computers and after the installation of SP2 it is a laborious in order to regain your computers previous installation.
As well as numerous other hardware issues (such as drivers not updating themselves and security features disabling network devices) there have also been many issues with software configuration. As with any Operating Systems, there are programs which are simply non-compatible with SP2, however dissatisfaction has arisen since people started realising that simple programs and procedures have been disabled on transition between SP1 and 2. The introduction of a Data Execution Protection system has led to mixed feelings about the necessity for some of Microsoft’s new features. When activating a program that requires the use of two or more executable files, the DEP will prompt you telling you that it has blocked access to the file. The program then shows a failure notice saying that your files may be corrupt, when in fact if you reload the program, it works perfectly. The new Firewall system also blocks connections on your computer and doesn’t prompt you as to whether you would like to open it. Some Instant Messengers can also experience delays and ‘jitteriness’ synonymous with a slow connection, when it is in fact a delay caused by the programs difficulties experienced when negotiating the Firewall. This has also caused many gamers to doubt the trustworthiness of the pack.
On the introduction of the new SP, you are not quite out of the woods yet. Since its introduction, more Windows ‘Hot-Fixes’ have been introduced, to patch more vulnerabilities that have been found. Once again sceptics have blamed this on poor planning and a rushed approach to the project. On the other hand, Microsoft replies in saying that it had already been delayed 6 months and consumers were beginning to wonder whether it had all been a hoax. It seems that the Service Pack is not out of the woods yet.
Microsoft’s web site is flooded with Knowledge Base articles on fixes that should be applied to the software should problems arise. However I still place reasonable blame on Microsoft for not packaging a system scanner that evaluates your system before the upgrade. The Service Pack has improved performance on my Desktop and Home PC’s however networked Dell’s and my Laptops have all experienced significant installation difficulties, which are plagued thereafter by critical system errors.
At the end of the day, the Service Pack is the next step forward in the advancing Security age and users should update to it. However in order to protect yourself from unnecessary problems further down the line, I recommend you try and find out about someone else’s experiences with your model of PC. Usually the manufacturer’s Homepage and Community Forums are the best place to start. There are also many other resources on the web which may help to guide you through the upgrade process. I highly recommend you make a full backup of your programs, files and system registry before installing the Service Pack.
Service Pack 2 is available through the Windows Automatic Update system, which allows users on slower connections (128k and below), to download the Pack in bits and pieces. With the Update system enabled, Windows will continue downloading it from where you last left off, however it is still a very large file and may take a good few hours to download. The pack is also available by CD order from Microsoft’s web-site and South African users, may benefit from ordering a CD through Data Prime. The Windows Automatic Update system can be enabled by going to www.microsoft.com/protect/ .
I trust this article has been helpful and wish you the best of luck in your installation. Should you experience any problems, your best option is to get on the internet and do a Google search for symptoms similar to yours. The Microsoft web-site is also a valuable resource for troubleshooting a faulty installation.
=============================
Can I have peoples opinions on my article above? I need some feedback please...ammendments are welcome!
At the hefty size of 266 megabytes, the update is Microsoft’s biggest yet. They claim it is going to revolutionise the home-computing industry, however sceptics have latched themselves onto the fact that there are compatibility issues with the new Service Pack. Windows is still adamant that the cost of a large download size and installation difficulties are outweighed by usability and security improvements provided by the pack.
In response to the continuous increase in harmful exploits that plague the internet (which is growing rapidly as a marketing, educational and recreational medium), the new SP2 comes packed with tighter default security features and substantial improvements to the Wireless Networking capabilities of the Operating System.
The new Windows Security Centre provides a simple and efficient method whereby an inexperienced user can easily protect their computer without very much adjustment to the default settings. Although this might seem like a huge improvement to the poor security provided in SP1, for more experienced users, it is more a hindrance than helpful.
To name just a two of the ‘invisible’ changes to the way you operate, Windows has brought in updated driver versions as well as a change to the way XP handles system processes. There are obviously hundreds of other behind-the-scenes expansions but it is not within the scope of this article for us to go any deeper into the subject.
For most users however those changes will not affect you in any way. Instead you may notice considerable Security enhancements, which sometimes prove to be more hassle than they are actually worth. On installation of SP2, immediately, your attention is brought to the new-look Security Centre, which highlights the parts of your computer’s protection system which may be vulnerable to attack. Although this is nice to have (and be aware of), previous Firewall and Anti-Virus programs are now rendered inefficient until the Security settings are changed. As it is pointless to configure two firewalls on the same system, Windows (by default) suggests that the other Firewall present should be disabled and uninstalled.
For good reason, the application allows you the option to ignore Windows’ own solutions and render its capabilities secondary to any others. This option also allows you to make use of some features and not others, allowing for compatibility issues to be easily solved.
In addition to the above, integrated support for new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, which until now has widely relied on external drivers and utilities, has been implemented allowing for a safer and simpler introduction to the growing popularity of the products. New to the Networking Screens are added security features for existing wired-networking as well as a Step-by-Step Setup application for configuring your Wireless Network.
In an continuing attempt to rid the user of unwanted ‘pop-ups’ the new Internet Explorer patch now comes with built in Security modules to protect your computer from malicious communications. This however, has been widely frowned upon by many ‘casual internet users’ as it shows no form of differentiation between any types of sites. This causes many help-files to load incorrectly and has even been said to produce undesired effects with Java-Script powered frames. The solution is that you click on a bar which then offers you the decision to allow pop-ups from that page. However, for reasons I am yet to understand, the whole web- page then has to reload in order for you to view the one window that was being withheld.
Although Symantec still claims that its products are 100% compatible with the new Service Pack, it should be noted that Symantec cannot run in conjunction with Windows Service Pack 2 as its security products are extremely difficult to configure. Symantec still supports Microsoft’s efforts to supply SP2 and their spokesperson says that the difficulties experienced will soon be patched to allow the programs to run alongside each other and in doing so, they claim they will provide the most ‘complete, consistent and comprehensive’ security solution that the average Windows users will ever have seen.
Sceptics of the new Service Pack have targeted the fact that although the basic configuration of the Firewall has been simplified, Windows is yet again “limiting the user’s options by taking full (unrivalled) control of the process”. They also say that it is this method of development is one which has made Windows famous throughout the years. Many more experienced users are moving towards Open-Source software because of customisability provided by their Applications.
Another big issue that the new release has faced is that of program and hardware incompatibility. Prescott C-0 processors have reeked havoc throughout the industry due to their lack of BIOS support for the new pack. Windows recently released an article whereby one can determine whether there are likely to be issues after installation; however on the installation of the pack, these details are still vacant. Windows continues to provide no warnings that their software is incompatible with certain computers and after the installation of SP2 it is a laborious in order to regain your computers previous installation.
As well as numerous other hardware issues (such as drivers not updating themselves and security features disabling network devices) there have also been many issues with software configuration. As with any Operating Systems, there are programs which are simply non-compatible with SP2, however dissatisfaction has arisen since people started realising that simple programs and procedures have been disabled on transition between SP1 and 2. The introduction of a Data Execution Protection system has led to mixed feelings about the necessity for some of Microsoft’s new features. When activating a program that requires the use of two or more executable files, the DEP will prompt you telling you that it has blocked access to the file. The program then shows a failure notice saying that your files may be corrupt, when in fact if you reload the program, it works perfectly. The new Firewall system also blocks connections on your computer and doesn’t prompt you as to whether you would like to open it. Some Instant Messengers can also experience delays and ‘jitteriness’ synonymous with a slow connection, when it is in fact a delay caused by the programs difficulties experienced when negotiating the Firewall. This has also caused many gamers to doubt the trustworthiness of the pack.
On the introduction of the new SP, you are not quite out of the woods yet. Since its introduction, more Windows ‘Hot-Fixes’ have been introduced, to patch more vulnerabilities that have been found. Once again sceptics have blamed this on poor planning and a rushed approach to the project. On the other hand, Microsoft replies in saying that it had already been delayed 6 months and consumers were beginning to wonder whether it had all been a hoax. It seems that the Service Pack is not out of the woods yet.
Microsoft’s web site is flooded with Knowledge Base articles on fixes that should be applied to the software should problems arise. However I still place reasonable blame on Microsoft for not packaging a system scanner that evaluates your system before the upgrade. The Service Pack has improved performance on my Desktop and Home PC’s however networked Dell’s and my Laptops have all experienced significant installation difficulties, which are plagued thereafter by critical system errors.
At the end of the day, the Service Pack is the next step forward in the advancing Security age and users should update to it. However in order to protect yourself from unnecessary problems further down the line, I recommend you try and find out about someone else’s experiences with your model of PC. Usually the manufacturer’s Homepage and Community Forums are the best place to start. There are also many other resources on the web which may help to guide you through the upgrade process. I highly recommend you make a full backup of your programs, files and system registry before installing the Service Pack.
Service Pack 2 is available through the Windows Automatic Update system, which allows users on slower connections (128k and below), to download the Pack in bits and pieces. With the Update system enabled, Windows will continue downloading it from where you last left off, however it is still a very large file and may take a good few hours to download. The pack is also available by CD order from Microsoft’s web-site and South African users, may benefit from ordering a CD through Data Prime. The Windows Automatic Update system can be enabled by going to www.microsoft.com/protect/ .
I trust this article has been helpful and wish you the best of luck in your installation. Should you experience any problems, your best option is to get on the internet and do a Google search for symptoms similar to yours. The Microsoft web-site is also a valuable resource for troubleshooting a faulty installation.
=============================
Can I have peoples opinions on my article above? I need some feedback please...ammendments are welcome!
