Info About XP Service Pack 2
- From: "Steve Britt" <swimmer953@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 18:51:08 -0500
Folks, this is some info that a blind friend sent me. Hope it helps those
who have XP.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cynthia Handel" <cindy425@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 7:07 AM
Subject: Warning--Beware, Microsoft XP Service Pack 2
> I've been reading a lot about the XP Service Pack 2, which is being
released
> (or will be soon), and thought this article offers some very good advice.
>
> Cindy
>
> information.
>
> I just got this message in the 8-16 Langalist Standard newsletter...
>
> 1) Go Slow With XP's SP2
>
> Many readers are wondering what to do about XP's SP2, which is starting
> to trickle out in a limited release. But over the next few weeks, just
> about all XP users will be offered the download in a carefully sequenced
> rollout designed to prevent the overload of Microsoft's servers.
>
> When you're offered SP2, my advice is: Do nothing; wait a bit.
>
> SP2 is huge--- so big it's almost a whole new version of XP. Like any
> new version of any OS, it *will* contain bugs, and it *will* cause
> trouble on some setups. The more complex and/or nonstandard your setup
> is, the greater the likelihood of a problem.
>
> Plus, there's no "must have right now" element to SP2: Much of SP2 is
> designed to force uninformed (or just plain lazy!) PC users to use basic
> security--- to stay current with updates, to use a firewall, etc. (These
> are the users running the unpatched/unprotected systems that allow most
> worms/viruses to spread.)
>
> But odds are, if you're reading this newsletter, you already know about
> and are using pretty good security practices, such as good firewall,
> antivirus and anti-spyware tools, and you're keeping up to date with
> Critical Updates. If that's the case, you won't gain a lot by rushing
> into SP2.
>
> Instead, wait a bit--- even as much as a month or two--- to let the
> worst problems with SP2 come to light and be fixed on other user's PCs.
> Again, as long as you're already using the kinds of security tools and
> techniques we discuss in this newsletter every week (example:
> http://www.informationweek.com/840/langa.htm ),
> there's no need to rush
> into SP2.
>
> I'm not the only one suggesting this "go slow" approach. See, for
> example these other authors:
> http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/60.htm
> http://channelzone.ziffdavis.com/article2/0,1759,1633858,00.asp
>
> But if you absolutely must try it as soon as you can, MAKE A FULL IMAGE
> BACKUP OF YOUR SYSTEM! (There, I hope that got your attention! <g>) You
> can use a free trial version of BootIt for example (
> http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/ ),
> and have a bulletproof way to roll
> your system back to pre-SP2 condition if things don't work out. Note =
> that
> standard uninstall, backup or roll-back tools (like Go Back) may NOT
> suffice for an update of this size and scope. If you want to be 100% =
> sure
> you can undo SP2 in its totality, you *must* use a heavy-duty imaging =
> tool. See
> http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=3Dimaging&sp-a=3D0008002a-sp00000000
> =
> .
>
> But for most of us, the answer's simpler: Relax! Take a break, and let
> others blaze a trail for you! Eventually, SP2 will be worth installing,
> but for most of us--- almost everyone--- there's no particular need for,
> or benefit from, being an early adopter.
>
> "Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then...find the way."
> Abraham Lincoln
>
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