About to install Service Pack 2...

[JMEaT]

I have the network install version, but wanted to hear of any problems I should expect. I heard a bit about the new firewall messing things up, so is it possible to disable it?

I have a legal copy of Windows XP Home as well.

[fliptw]

it messes things in a similar manner to other software firewalls. its rather crappy in that it only bohters you about software that is accepting incoming data, and not software that is going out.

you can disable it, I recommend doing so, and installing a better one.

other than that, have fun.

[Krom]

I have had no problems with it, been running SP2 for a good while now.

[AceCombat]

yes, you can disable the POFS XP Firewall, the same way it has been done.

[Tetrad]

I heard a bit about the new firewall messing things up

There's a huge list of programs that are affected by the new firewall. Of course by affected I mean you have to click a box that says "this program is trying to connect to the internet, do you want to let it?". I'm already behind a firewall, so I don't bother with it.

I've also heard of some problems people had with older versions of Nero, but I haven't had any problems with that either.

[Vindicator]

I've also heard of some problems people had with older versions of Nero, but I haven't had any problems with that either.

Nero 6 requires an update to work on SP2. (at least mine did)

[Mobius]

Installed for 2 weeks now: no problems so far.

[Top Gun]

Easy installs for me on both XP Home and Pro. I have the firewall turned off in both cases, since I already use outside software. The new IE pop-up blocker is suprisingly effective, too. The only thing I can complain about is the security warnings when you're attempting to download files; they're somewhat more visible than before. Otherwise, everything went well.

[MD-2389]

After install, I actually found that memory usage has improved slightly. I haven't run into any major issues. I did have a minor issue with SP2 unregistering msxml3.dll, but thats an easy fix.

[Iceman]

I use MKS toolkit a whole lot (a Unix utilities toolkit). I have several thousand shell scripts with a .sh extension ... All I had to do was double click them and they ran (.sh was associated with sh.exe).

After XPSP2 ... I double click on a .sh file and the "Choose the program you want to use to open this file:" dialog appears. So ... like an educated user ... I navigate to the MKS tookit directories and select sh.exe. Microsoft Developer studio then comes up with the file in the editor. From then on, double clicking a .sh file brings up the danged vc++ app.

Oh well, welcome to Windblows ...

[Xamindar]

You can easily change that "mime" association Iceman. Can't tell you exactly where (Hardly use winblows any more) but it's somewhere in folder options i believe. You just change which program that file type is associated with or remove it.

Next time, uncheck the "always use this program bla bla bla" box.

[Krom]

Or in the case of windows XP, shift + right click "open with" select the correct program from the list and then check the always open checkbox.

[BUBBALOU]

Or in the case of windows XP, shift + right click "open with" select the correct program from the list and then check the always open checkbox.

That would be too easy, especially when it was user error in the first place

[Matrix]

I havnt run into any problems with SP2 yet

and im loving the IE popup blocker =)

only thing I had to do was disable the firewall, and upgrade nero from ver 6.0 to 6.3.x.x

[Deadmeat]

I installed SP2 and have had no problems. My only complaint is, after turning off the XP firewall, I get this Windows Security Alert popping up every time I fire up my comp saying my computer is at risk because the firewall is not turned on. I've looked in msconfig and services and can't seem to find it. How do I turn the damn thing off?

[Top Gun]

It should only do that if it doesn't recognize another firewall as being installed. What firewall (if any) are you using?

[fliptw]

I installed SP2 and have had no problems. My only complaint is, after turning off the XP firewall, I get this Windows Security Alert popping up every time I fire up my comp saying my computer is at risk because the firewall is not turned on. I've looked in msconfig and services and can't seem to find it. How do I turn the damn thing off?

with the security centre open, click on "Change the way windows notfies me about security" or something like that, its the last one in the Resources column.

you can disable complaining about many a thing there.

[JMEaT]

Thanks for the feedback

[Deadmeat]

Thanx flip, that did it. TG, I'm running Sygate Personal.

[Top Gun]

Hmmm...I've never heard of it myself. Maybe Windows just doesn't recognize it. I'm using Zone Alarm, and the Security Center picked that up; likewise with Norton's.

[MD-2389]

Sygate has been around for ages. Theres no reason why it shouldn't be on the "approved" list. Kerio isn't on the list either.

[Defender]

Also note that if you're using StyleXP you need to update it for it to run under SP2.
It's a small update and a quick install.

[fliptw]

Sygate has been around for ages. Theres no reason why it shouldn't be on the "approved" list. Kerio isn't on the list either.

They don't support the API the new XP firewall uses, which, If I read in someplaces correctly, allows other apps to turn it off.

[Canuck]

Hmmm...I've never heard of it myself. Maybe Windows just doesn't recognize it. I'm using Zone Alarm, and the Security Center picked that up; likewise with Norton's.

3 Firewalls? Behind a Router makes it 4?

Umm I suggest Pick 1.

And SP2 was pretty painless for me too, disabled the firewall, it was way too annoying.

http://www.betanews.com/article/1067426499
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview ... id=1372637

And to the poster above who wanted to turn off Bubble alerts
http://www.grenme.com/node/view/18

I think I had a slight burp with Media Player, but I re-installed and it seems to be fine.

[Iceman]

You can easily change that "mime" association Iceman. Can't tell you exactly where (Hardly use winblows any more) but it's somewhere in folder options i believe. You just change which program that file type is associated with or remove it.

Next time, uncheck the "always use this program bla bla bla" box.

Or in the case of windows XP, shift + right click "open with" select the correct program from the list and then check the always open checkbox.

That would be too easy, especially when it was user error in the first place

^^ Smart@$$=Dumb@$$ ^^

I double click on a .sh file and the "Choose the program you want to use to open this file:" dialog appears. So ... like an educated user ... I navigate to the MKS tookit directories and select sh.exe. Microsoft Developer studio then comes up with the file in the editor. From then on, double clicking a .sh file brings up the danged vc++ app.

You guys must have skimmed my post. I did all that and it still launches with VC++. Even if I reassign it with shift-click it still opens up with VC++.

[Top Gun]

Canuck, I think you misunderstood me. I was referring to two different PCs. On one, I have Norton Internet Security installed, and I turned off the Windows firewall. On the other, I have Zone Alarm installed, and I also turned off the Windows firewall. Each PC has only one firewall on it. Sorry if I was unclear .

[fliptw]

You guys must have skimmed my post. I did all that and it still launches with VC++. Even if I reassign it with shift-click it still opens up with VC++.

what happens when you run sh.exe directly?

I just tried it with cgywin, and VC++ don't start on me.

so, its not an error with the file association.

also, does same happen when you type "start blah.sh" in CMD?

[Iceman]

When I double click sh.exe I get a command window with a Korn Shell prompt (as expected).

When I run "sh" in CMD I get the Korn Shell prompt (also as expected).

Typing "start script.sh" brings up the "Open With .." dialog which we know doesn't work.

If I open a CMD window and navigate to a directory with a Korn shell script and type "sh script.sh" all works as it should. I USED TO be able to navigate with EXPLORER and double click it instead of using CMD.

[JMEaT]

I'm still using the original media player tha came with XP, someone told me that I would need to upgrade to 9 if I install SP2?

Is this true?

[fliptw]

SP2 installs WMP 9, yes.

tho, I did a admin install, not sure if that would be the case via WU.

If you do a clean install off a SP2 CD, WMP9 is there.

[JMEaT]

Ugh

[AceCombat]

im having problems even getting to the point of installing it. for some reason, BITS and WinHTTP keep failing to install.

[AceCombat]

got everything fixed



HOLY SH(T !!! its like 2x faster than with SP1