Windows XP Service Pack 2 Preview

[dawks]

For those smart enough not to install XP SP2 BETA on a 'production' system but still curious to see what it looks like, here are some screenshots. I'm digging the new security center, and the updated firewall is blocking out going traffic now to.

Seeing as ZoneAlarm is the 'best' free software firewall out there, but is one resource hunger POS, the XP firewall is going to give it a real challenge now.

It's looking very promising security wise. It should help the 70%+ of people who currently don't have a firewall or use antivirus software get on the bandwagon.

It looks like they realize they can never really 'secure' Windows, so they are pushing preventative maintence, which is good IMO, since its held for me.

I guess virus/worm writers are going to have to look at exploiting AV software now




XP Service Pack 2 Preview

 

[corkyg]

I have SP2 installed on three systems - it is great - no problems at all - and ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5.594 works perfectly with the new XP firewall - no conflicts there either, nor with McAfee V-Scan 7.X. I also have about 7 patches that have come along in the past month - and the option for notifying me when one is available works for me -(I won't accept a full auto update.) SP2 is a winner as far as I am concerned.

 

[Twista]

man that guys pc sucks in that screenshot lol. P3 400mhz and 144mb ram on windows xp ;p

 

[d3n]

Originally posted by: Twista
man that guys pc sucks in that screenshot lol. P3 400mhz and 144mb ram on windows xp ;p

Why blow up a good box on a MS beta?

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: Twista
man that guys pc sucks in that screenshot lol. P3 400mhz and 144mb ram on windows xp ;p

Its actually a PII 400 with 256megs ram. Its 144 in the screenshot because the OS is running inside MS Virtual PC, running on top of XP Pro (144 is the max MS Virtual PC will let me allocate it). Yes it does get a little slow at times, but its all I can afford

 

[jamesbond007]

DaZ, thanks for the preview! It looks very promising, but it's something Windows needs right now to reassure owners of Windows XP that they made the right purchase. With worms like Blaster and Sasser that can so easily take over your system, it's not exactly a 'secure feeling' when you use the OS.

 

[laxjax13]

looks nice. do u think i should upgrade to the beta?
i have 2 pcs a p4 -2.53 and a p3 700 which my sister uses?
think i should test on hers?

both pcs have sp1 currently

 

[jbrock31]

Dude, my work computer runs a 266mhz celeron and 192megs of ram. LOL!. I cant beleive how garbage this pc is. And it has a xp. I cant wait until we get new pcs.

 

[jbrock31]

Any knowlegable pc guy that gets infected by Blaster or Sasser is incompetent IMO.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: jbrock31
Any knowlegable pc guy that gets infected by Blaster or Sasser is incompetent IMO.

Wouldn't that be quite an oxymoroon?

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: laxjax13
looks nice. do u think i should upgrade to the beta?
i have 2 pcs a p4 -2.53 and a p3 700 which my sister uses?
think i should test on hers?

both pcs have sp1 currently

Sure, you can go ahead and try it, but fair warning: I've seen several posts over at Neowin where people have b0rked their installs and lost data, because of some kind of conflict when installing. Even though they are rare, they still can occur. Remember, its beta software, hence the bugs are still being worked out.

 

[laxjax13]

k ill test it out on my sisters pc. nothing there except some music and spyware lol.
btw why is the installer called network install?

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: laxjax13
k ill test it out on my sisters pc. nothing there except some music and spyware lol.
btw why is the installer called network install?

So system administrators can deploy it over their network.

The other one is for home users, which is a 500kb exe, that just downloads what the computer needs, instead of everything at once.

Both ways give the same effect, both install XP SP2, although the smaller installer is reccomended for users on dialup.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

nice ... cant wait