A Word of Warning for the XP users

[LiLithTecH]

If you think Service Pack 2 will be XP's saviour, read on.....

Windows XP SP2 could break existing apps - Microsoft has made something of a trade-off with the update, focusing on security improvements at the expense of backward compatibility. The company has called on all software developers to test their code against the beta version of Service Pack 2, or face the possibility that the update will break their handiwork. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is more than the usual roll-up of bug fixes and updates. It is also being used to make significant changes to the software with the aim of improving security. Microsoft has warned these changes could render applications inoperable.

 

[Budman]

I just installed SP2,so far it looks good,no probs with my apps.

 

[CQuinn]

1. This only affects systems running on Opteron, AMD64, or Itanium processors, since it takes advantage of
a new feature in those processors to better protect process memory. I thought we were in favor of
having hardware support for buffer overrun protection?

2. It is an optional feature, and can be turned off if needed to run specific apps.

3. Windows XP SP1 broke some apps, and affected performance on some systemsm when it implemented newer
security features. Windows XP broke some apps, and affected performance when it changed the version of
NTFS in use as the filesystem. Windows 2000 Gold, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 etc... broke apps, affected performance
yadda yadda... all the way back to Windows 95.

If we're lucky, it will make all those spyware apps fail.

 

[mrweirdo]

Originally posted by: CQuinn


3. Windows XP SP1 broke some apps, and affected performance on some systemsm when it implemented newer
security features. Windows XP broke some apps, and affected performance when it changed the version of
NTFS in use as the filesystem. Windows 2000 Gold, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 etc... broke apps, affected performance
yadda yadda... all the way back to Windows 95.

This is true. Its just something that can hapen whenever you update your os or some of your software. I have personaly seen software updates that break other software, etc. Its something you deal with and if your lucky you can work your way around the problem. One thing you could do though if there is decent documention on what your running avaible out there see if updating something might cause problems with the software your using.

 

[charloscarlies]

I'm also running service pack 2. Haven't noticed any problems at all.

 

[stephbu]

Originally posted by: CQuinn
1. This only affects systems running on Opteron, AMD64, or Itanium processors, since it takes advantage of
a new feature in those processors to better protect process memory.

Definitely in favour of it - anyone seen anything beyond rumour of the NX protection instructions appearing in the Prescott too?

 

[ZoNtO]

Could someone PM me where you're getting the SP2 download? I tried Windows Update and got nothing! Is it still in beta code?

 

[stephbu]

Yeah SP2 is still in beta at the moment - it's available to MSDN subscribers, and some corporate volume-licence owners.

Not sure if they'll do a public beta before release or not.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: CQuinn
1. This only affects systems running on Opteron, AMD64, or Itanium processors, since it takes advantage of
a new feature in those processors to better protect process memory. I thought we were in favor of
having hardware support for buffer overrun protection?

Well, that is the biggest change that people expect to cause compatibility issues. However there are numerous others than may cause an issue as well. This is true of every service pack and security enhancment (and I say, so be it )

Bill

 

[stephbu]

I was under the impression that app pages were not automagically marked with the NX page guard flag - if that is the case then what current apps would it break?

 

[jose]

Didn't every MS service pack break apps ? You just have to wait a month or so for vendors to provide fixes for their products.

Regards,
Jose

 

[RVN]

Interesting. I guess we'll start finding what won't work when it breaks. So far everything thru the beta10 March update has kept everything I use use fully functional.

 

[CTho9305]

Before you go after MS for their choice, read this:

You have to bag on MS for this?
Ok, imagine this alternate Slashdot headline:

MS sales buries secure XP
Itoldyouso writes - A leaked memo indicates that the Microsoft developers created a much more secure version of their flagship operating system. However, because it would have caused problems with a small number of applications that were designed insecurely, the Sales & Marketing teams vetoed the new secure version, in an attempt to avoid a customer backlash. It is now official - Microsoft's commitment to trustworthy computing is a complete joke.

I have a feeling that post would rile a lot more people here.

 

[ntrights]

Originally posted by: stephbu

Originally posted by: CQuinn
1. This only affects systems running on Opteron, AMD64, or Itanium processors, since it takes advantage of
a new feature in those processors to better protect process memory.

Definitely in favour of it - anyone seen anything beyond rumour of the NX protection instructions appearing in the Prescott too?

It's not included in the Prescott. IIRC Xeon's with 800FSB will have it.
At one point, it was speculated that Prescott would sport the execution protection (NX) technology featured in AMD's Athlon 64 family and Intel's Itanium. NX separates application code and data in order to prevent buffer overflows, a common technique employed by virus authors. Microsoft will enable the feature in Windows XP Service Pack 2; however, AMD will be the only one to support it, as Intel has not yet implemented NX in Prescott. According to an Intel representative, extensive testing needs to be conducted to ensure NX doesn't break compatibility with any existing software titles.
Link

 

[Smilin]

Stinks like FUD in here.

 

[RVN]

Well, FUD me runnin' ...everythings fine here.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: Smilin
Stinks like FUD in here.

Yes and no.

The full 98 page doc on changes being introduced in SP2 is here.

Read it to eliminate all FUD.

Edit: Full doc is here. Ninety seven pages, MS Word format, pretty well written.