Hello again,

Since I posted a while back about the Windows XP2 service pack.

It still doesnt look like a good update. Numbers show about half the folks should be able to apply the update without problems, another 20 percent with some issues, and the remaining 30%..it could cause serious problems. This is based on about 1/3 of the windows users worldwide doing the update so it could get better or worse.

If your using an off the self pc, IBM, DELL, HP etc..might be wise to go to the respective web sites under the support sections. Some will have patches that need to be applied prior to an update. Those with white box or clone systems, go to your motherboard, video, nic and audio sites and get the updated drivers and bios files first, it should improve your chances of a good XP2 update.

Personally, I would continue to wait and see if the numbers improve. This is a significant update and MS has a news release lising over 60 software programs that..break after the update. Many problems seem to be related to the update/install of a firewall, popup blocker and other related internet apps, fixes,patches etc. There are other problems, but most fall into this group. Recomendation by MS has been to install, then turn off these "new features" till you can make your other software work with them. Personally, Id rather wait a little longer for MS to fix their software.  
 

Hope this helps.

DennyAz
[email protected]

Why I love my MAC! (long-ish)

Hey Danny:

Been a long time since I've seen you! Thanks for your advice on directions here in Phoenix! It's helped tremendously!

Now, I used to be a PC user. I was on PC's from age 12-25. I bought a mac just last year because I work in the fine arts industry and well, everyone in my industry uses macs. I was fearful at first, I was fiercely protective of my PC and I "hated" macs. Until it came to my door, that is. Now, I have my PC on the floor and I actually gave my monitor away so that I had no reason to ever turn the darn thing on again. It's so nice not to have to worry about viruses and computer lock-ups and crashes and updating security systems, etc. My computer has crashed exactly zero times in the year I've owned it and I've contracted exactly zero viruses because, well.....they just don't make viruses for my solid, unix-based computer. Some will argue that it would be a waste of time to make them because "not very many people use mac", and that may be "true" to some extent, but I know a ton of people who use macs and not just in my profession, however I argue that it's pointless to bother spending all sorts of time trying to create a virus that will infiltrate such a solid system.

So......if you guys want to avoid all of Microsoft's problems, either check/update your security patches daily, update/check your anti-virus system daily or......buy a mac!

Okay..I'm done now.

Love,

Megan
"Mac-Lover"

Typical M$ Windows product. Get a Mac

But then again, I didn't have any firewall software installed.

In fact, I already needed to update my Norton Anti-Virus and
when I saw the SP 2 had a firewall I opted to just upgrade the
Anti-virus and not go for the Norton firewall.

fr

I am running XP and just recently installed the Service Pack 2.  I have found that alot of the updates do not really do much for your computer in the long run and actually end up making your system run slower or cause more problems.  From the advice of friends that deal with computers, I installed the service pack and have not had many noticable problems.  I have noticed that it involves a bunch of security features, and as soon as I installed it and rebooted, my norton seems to be having problems now.  I was going to reinstall it, but would like to know your thoughts on this one....any advice???
Would love to hear your thoughts.

Hugs, Madison
602-751-3620

Its good you had no problem.. your in the 50% group

There are alot of good reasons to upgrade to SP2, just to many reported bugs and holes in it still.  For those that dont have firewall software.. zonealarm is a good one, and they have a free version. Its a personal choice on which applications you want to use.. me..i will stick with another vendor on firewalls..I have this silly idea in my head that MS is a target for hackers etc..so their firewall will be attacked by hackers.

Another set of "need to have" programs are related to spyware/malware. These are in many ways like viruses, but arent the same so norton and others have seperate products for controlling them. These programs run from simple cookies on visited sites that report differnt info to keyloggers, etc..

Most machines i install anti spyware/malware programs on average over 200 of them already on the pc.  There are about 15k  variations of these programs with about 8 being nasty and almost impossible to clean off without a reformat etc.  Some free programs are PestPatrol, AdAware from lavasoft.. both on download.com  Its a good idea to get and run both.. seems like most of these programs dont get 100% of the stuff out.

Happy Computing.
Den

My Norton Anti-Virus subscription had just expired.  When I
installed SP2 it didn't recognize it as legit Anti-Virus
software.  This was not due to the subscription being up either.
Norton has protection to prevent other software from snooping
on it.

I upgraded to the newer version (2005) and everything is fine.
SP2 recognizes it as valid anti-virus software.  When
installing it, when it asked me questions on firewalls I
told it to use Microsoft's firewall.  Note that I bought just
the Anti-Virus software and not the Norton Firewall.

good luck,
fr

PS When I bought the newer version, I got a discount just for
having an older version (costs just $29.95 for a year).

Tried emailing you info... but th email link off your site seems to reject mail as undeliverable.

DennyAz

Re:Why I love my MAC! (long-ish)

I am in total agreement with you, Megan.

I have been a MAC user since they came out .

In over 15 years I have not had even 1 virus and any crashes were my fault and very easily fixed.

With the new G4's and OS 10, you get the best of both worlds as you can run PC programs on OS 10.

MAC's forever....

Just my opinion....
B

Amen Megan.  Maybe us two Mac lovers need to get together  :-p

I *just* completed installing SP2 on my mom's XP Home edition based machine and so far, so good.  No issues with ZoneAlarm as I upgraded that *before* installing SP2. No issues with her others apps.  We'll see how things go over the next week or so.

I've got 2 more XP systems to update so I'll get some practice in doing this.  

I'm a Linux user at home so I've got no issues with this there.  

Peace...