Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta is out

[congo]

I just downloaded the recently released Service Pack 2 - Release Candidate 1 from the link below.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodte ... predl.mspx

It took me a couple of over night sessions on my dialup connection to get the massive 285 mb's !!!

I installed it then went to Microsoft Update site to manually check for updates, where it failed to load the list of available updates.

I then turned automatic updates on and it quickly added three small fixes. I went back to the manual updating page, and it loaded this time and confirmed that I was up to date.

The new XP SP2 has a security screen and an advanced firewall system as well as most windows updates, media player 9 and other software all rolled into 1 pack.

Microsoft also ask if you wish to participate in their testing program for this service pack when it installs.

You can see it listed here in my system property box along with the security screen. (which incidently warned me immediately as to my security status)

[Craig.]

with recent security scares, i will be sticking with SP1 right now i have all the updates needed and its working fine for me. I dont want to risk SP2 just yet but when its been worked on some more i will prob get it

[congo]

I recommend what Craig says above, but, hey, I had it FIRST!  

[Craig.]

i am not saying theres anything wrong with getting it:) and its a good find on your part, i know alot of people have been waiting a long time. But from my point of viewi have built up the defensive walls, and my computer doesnt like too much change If the reports from it are good i will give it a go

[Pinchaser...]

havent downloaded it yet, but i heard that the firewall is very good.

[congo]

I can't report on the firewall, as I immediately disabled it, using my present firewall (Zonealarm Pro) which is doing a fantastic job so far. Probably the main reason I use Zonealarm is that I'm too dis-interested (read - scared of windows help files!) to learn how to configure the WinXP Firewall properly. ZoneAlarm just pops up and lets me know when to take an action... too easy!

The bottom line is a clean system, with only a couple cookies getting through per week. (I drop the wall out of stealth mode if I have access problems to some sites.)

[Scottler]

The XP firewall is actually ridiculously easy to enable.  

Start>Control Panel>Network Connections>Right Click "Local Area Connection">Advanced...then there's a checkbox to enable it.

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if any of you would like to know how to do it, there it is.

[Pinchaser...]

i am going to wait untill the final release is out. never install a final release on top of a beta release!

[Fozzer]

Hi congo... ...!



Fantastic... ...!
I've made a note of the registration details.... ...!
Could you just pop a copy of your Windows XP in the post for me now... ...?
That'll save me a couple of bob... ...!
Thank you very much... ...!

LOL...LOL...LOL... ...!

Cheers Sport... ...!

Paul... ...!

[Delta_]

I've made a note of the registration details.... ...!

LOL!
The number is not the registration code, that has letters in it aswell.  Funny anyway!