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Windows XP SP2 Reaches RC2

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

June 15, 2004, 5:44 AM

Microsoft has finalized the second release candidate of Windows XP Service Pack 2, signifying the long-awaited upgrade is nearly complete. Numbered build 2149, RC2 is currently available to testers and will soon be offered for public download.

Although a final release of SP2 could be months away, RC2 is a significant milestone that Microsoft hopes will correct numerous bugs and software incompatibilities discovered after the preview release of RC1 in March.

Redmondites gathered at a Microsoft cafe to celebrate the christening of build 2149, while company spokespeople heralded the still-beta release to press outlets.

The primary focus of Windows XP Service Pack 2 is security. Microsoft has included a new version of Internet Explorer, improved memory protection, e-mail safeguards for Outlook Express, the Windows Firewall, new security settings for Windows Media Player 9, redesigned networking components, and a new Windows "Security Center" to coordinate and manage security features.

"To date, hundreds of thousands of developers and customers have been testing beta and release candidate versions of Windows XP SP2," a company spokesperson told BetaNews. "Microsoft strongly encourages developers and corporate IT customers to continue their testing by downloading Windows XP SP2 RC2. Windows XP SP2 is entering its final testing stages on its way toward a final release this summer."

Microsoft representatives have refused to pin down exactly when Windows XP SP2 -- plagued by delays since testing began -- will reach customer systems, but an August release is likely. Release Candidate 2 may be trialed in the interim by joining the technical preview program.

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By moderntails

edited Sep 17, 2006 - 9:33 PM

Score: 0

By raxeph

posted Jul 4, 2004 - 2:17 AM

EI comes with great pop-up blocker, havent had any troubles yet. Windows Security center dosent work very well since it dosent check the status of norton internet security and norton virus, hope they fix this in future. Sp2 seems more secure.

Score: 0

By justinb

edited Jun 22, 2004 - 8:13 PM

....i knew i shouldn't have deleted the bug report shortcut... lol, any way to get it back?? like can someone tell me the shortcut information?

its weird, sometimes it won't allow me to open any programs on the desktop, or select anything from the start menu... sometimes it will also not allow me to open programs from the icons in the lower right part of the taskbar.. is that happening to anyone else? or does anyone know a solution/what causes it?

Score: 0

By esh3

posted Jul 5, 2004 - 9:01 AM

I been having the same problem since installing RC2. Are you using Sygate Personal Firewall Pro by any chance? I believe it has something to do with the new XP firewall and Sygate Firewall. I have turned off the Win XP firewall but that doesn't mean it's actually off knowing Microsoft and their RC's.

Score: 0

By pohlman

posted Jul 5, 2004 - 12:21 PM

I'm using Sygate Pro with the Windows Firewall turned off (though I played with the new Windows Firewall for a while and it's vastly improved, I still prefer Sygate or ZoneAlarm or Tiny) and Sygate's working as well as it always has (passed every test I know to throw at it, at least) and everything else is working wonderfully. SP2's security center thing won't recognize it, so just check "I have a firewall I'm monitoring myself so buzz off" and go. I'm using PC-Cillin's antivirus and it plays perfectly with SP2... and the security center recognizes it. Personally, I'm very happy with SP2 now, though the first RC fried my machine for still-unknown reasons.

Score: 0

By sparky5556

posted Jun 30, 2004 - 12:08 AM

shortcut properties:
"%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -new http://windowsbeta.micro...p2feedback/default.aspx

Score: 0

By willl

posted Jun 22, 2004 - 8:56 AM

Downloaded and installed it on one of my test machines the day RC2 became available. It's been running quite fine ever since.

It's great that Microsoft are releasing this service pack early, as it allows developers to work on their current apps to offer users the ability to have working apps when the final release is out, as the developers will have had time to fix things up. (Yes, I am a developer).

I read a comment that said July is the release month for SP2, which is not correct. As stated in the betanews article, the release date is likely to be sometime in August. (It's in the final paragraph).

The reason for the delays? Well, to make fixes that were found during testing. Would you rather have a buggy Service Pack, or a stable one?

Score: 0

By joseps

edited Oct 8, 2006 - 11:01 PM

I am testing Vista RCI BY UPGRADING MY WIN XP. and today, I use Vista RC1 to run projects from Rosetta @home on medical research. Now I wish to test Vista RC2. Can I download a copy.
I am very impressed by Vista RC1. Please, can download vista rc2?

Score: 0

By BIL

edited Jun 22, 2004 - 5:03 PM

So are you saying it did not add services or slow your system down noticeably? It did on mine MSI K7N2, AMD 2600+, 512, 333FSB, Geforce w/128 megs, ata133 drives. Not top of the line but respectable. It should at least remove the services and extra added windows componets when you do a restore point.

Score: 0

By oldog55

posted Jul 2, 2004 - 10:00 AM

It also slowed my system down, I reistalled intel
application Accelerator and the intel chip set programs and everything works great now.

Score: 0

By willl

posted Jun 22, 2004 - 7:17 PM

Yes, it worked quite well on my test machine.

Pentium 3 733MHz, 128MB RAM.

Yes, there were added services, but they were hardly noticeable. Although the machine was a fresh install. It had been running for a week with SP1, then at the end of the week I applied SP2 RC2 onto it.

No notable performance differences noticed.

Software I had installed on the machine (before and after SP2 install):
Office 2003, AVG Antivirus Free Edition, iTunes, Winamp, Adaware, Google Toolbar.

You are correct that it does add additional services. As it would if you enabled Internet Connection Firewall in normal Windows XP. As the Windows Firewall is enabled by default in SP2.

This service pack has a focus on security, so it's likely that any additional services are added to help secure Windows XP by default for the average user that doesn't know much about computers.

You can disable many of the services that you don't require anyway.

You can disable the Windows Firewall, remove a lot of things you think that aren't actually useful. Some services had to be set a certain way after applying SP2 for security reasons. Do you really want somebody that could potentially spread a whole series of worms because they don't do much on their computer other than read a few websites, reply to some email, to be able to spread worms to other computers because their machine is infected?

Look, to be honest, I think that you can do away with the firewall if you have other third party firewalls that can do the job just as well.

If you can help those users of XP that do not have much knowledge of computers, then you are likely to help the others who are as well. Look at the spread of worms recently. Could they have been prevented? I certainly think so.

Please remember that the products being posted on BetaNews may not always be "production code" as such, and these performance issues are likely to be there. That is why you should always be careful. Not saying that the product quality is all that bad, but I'm suggesting that the final product will be a lot better due to feedback from those who do try the betas.

As a developer, I would prefer to read constructive criticism of my products as opposed to "this is crap" or "this crashed my system". I would ask those people to write "this is crap, because... , I think it would be better if you did instead." Especially for alpha and beta products. Those who write very vague reviews like "this is crap" doesn't really give the developer any real chance of fixing those issues the particular reviewer may have with the product before final release. [Sorry, the developer in me decided to throw in a rant at the end].

Score: 0

By SFAMonkey

posted Jun 21, 2004 - 9:38 PM

Well I tried installing Xp SP2 RC2 from the windows update twice and I got problem so I am download the 264Mg one.

Score: 0

By mo_mo

posted Jun 19, 2004 - 11:16 AM

i had windows xp rc1 beta before
it was so buggy......
now i installed rc2, it's much better but there are still a few bugs around....

Score: 0

By BIL

posted Jun 21, 2004 - 7:12 PM

I tried RC2 just long enough to see that it is bloatware. It added a lot of services that I had disabled or removed and the system was visibly slowed. Using the restore point did not restore services to the pre-install state. I am having to go back and remove, stop, and re-tweak my system to regain the speed.

Score: 0

By deadmonkey

posted Jun 27, 2004 - 3:53 PM

Microsoft can't win with people like you can they? You are the first people to complain about their system being infected by a virus (even though a patch was available for 6 or so weeks!) and then when Microsoft try and make things safer for you with the Security Centre and installing the firewall by default you complain it is "bloated".

Everyone bashes Microsoft but no matter what they do people complain. Windows is a damn fine OS and it really annoys me when everyone says it is rubbish. Just like it annoys me when everyone says Linux is only for computer geeks after trying RedHat five years ago!

sorry to all, those who know me will know that I am normally very chilled but I have had enough for reading so many posts about SP2 being bloated and crap!

Score: 0

By BIL

posted Jul 5, 2004 - 8:10 PM

I never said I had any security or virus problems, which (knock on wood) I don't. I strip out many of the features that allow entry and lock down as much more as reasonable. If Windows didn't try to stuff everything in for every possible contingency it would be much faster. Many people in the US and in Europe have asked to have it install only the code necessary for the features that individual wants. All the extra code slows things down. If I want a smaller browser or third party defrag or whatever I should be able to do that. Let the user decide which features are needed and just plain do not install the rest unless I change my mind. Yes, I did say bloatware. It is a good product but there is a LOT of room for improvement.

Score: 0

By utomo

edited Jun 17, 2004 - 11:54 PM

I read that many people happy with this RC2 and feel faster. but is there any more deeper review ?

is there any:
-Java vm included ? because they already make deal with Sun, so it is possible to include and this will reduce some problems.
- .net framework included ?
- New Windows media player versions, XMLparser, XP power toys, etc.
I hope MS will include all of this in their new win XP sp2 release.
And they also need to include much more driver update in their windows xp release (not in SP2)

Thanks.

I also suggest Microsoft make the new IE available for download for public. now the latest IE6 download is year 2002.
and how about Win 98 Third editions ?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Jun 21, 2004 - 9:27 AM

Ahhh...Windows 98TE, I WISH!

Score: 0

By SFAMonkey

edited Jun 21, 2004 - 9:34 PM

Why would any one buy a window 98 TH? Windows 98 is so unstabled compared to windows 2000. If anything microsoft should come out with a windows 2000 SE or a Windows 2004 that would include service pack 1-4 (for 2000) and then the current one they are working on for xp. Make the xp one compatable with 200. That would be a great thing. So many company's use 2000 instead of 98.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Jun 27, 2004 - 3:02 PM

Windows 98 is the last OS designed just for consumers (oh yeah there was Windows Me, but--well, it was Me), and as unstable as it may SEEM, it is much less complex compared to the Windows NT archetecture, allowing less incompatabilities and vulnerabilities. Outside of the fact that it is not designed for computers with more than 2.0GHZ processor (and 512MB of RAM, but there is a workaround for that), I would switch back to Windows 98SE in a heartbeat.

Score: 0

By DEVAXTATOR

posted Jun 21, 2004 - 4:58 AM

windows xp sp2 rc2 comes with a lot lot a fetures including:
improved ie security
faster browsing
more reliable o.s.
but it's still buggy the first time i installed it crashed blue error of death microsoft sent me the windows xp sp2 rc1 cd and it worked fine.
the rc2 it's still in beta beta stages but you can bet it will bring a whole lot of features.

Score: 0

By arkytech

posted Jun 17, 2004 - 6:24 AM

I am running an Athlon 1.2GHz machine with over 1GB of SDRAM (PC133) memory. I installed RC2 and immediately started getting memory errors. I uninstalled and ran system restore to put my system back into shape. I am still getting the memory errors, but have isolated it down to the new version of IE. Now all I have to do is dump the new version and go back to the previous one.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Jun 17, 2004 - 9:10 PM

I am running an Athlon 1.0 GHz with 1.2GB of RAM... no "memory issues" here... although I must confess I run a very tight ship, which means that I keep Windows Updates current, I run **Current, Working** virus protection, and I run Ad-Aware at least once a week. It also means I only have applications installed that I actively use, and I don't install hacked up pirated crap downloaded from dubious file sharing apps. On top of all that, my applications stay up to date as well.

While the BETA (Technical Preview) isn't for everyone... when the final version is released, I would recommend everyone take the same steps I just mentioned (in terms of updates for apps and removing all the crapware), and chances are very high that your SP2 upgrade will be flawless.

Aaron

Score: 0

By arkytech

posted Jun 18, 2004 - 4:16 PM

I am doing the same things you are mentioning, as well as running Spybot.

I agree. The BETA is not for everyone. RC1 ran well on my system. I was suprised that I was having problems with RC2. I simply posted my findings here in hopes that it would help some other people. (And YES, I reported the finding to Microsoft.)

Score: 0

By Sileet

posted Jun 16, 2004 - 10:14 PM

Uninstall daemon tools to remove the atapi.sys error.

Score: 0

By Yochanan

posted Jun 24, 2004 - 11:01 AM

It will tell you atapi.sys is in use if you have Nero as well, I believe. There is no uninstallation of software necessary. All you have to do is delete atapi.sys, click Retry, and SP2 will continue to install, and SP2 will replace the file with an updated version.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Jun 16, 2004 - 8:51 PM

I having been working with SP2 since the RC1 preview was released. It is very spiffy in the grand scheme of things.

A) The firewall is much improved... it's actually useful now, and it also makes it so that LAN traffic is accepted and WAN (Internet/External) traffic is blocked by default. You can choose to tighten it down further and block internal OR (God forbid) disable the firewall completely.

B) The changes to Outlook Express, Windows Media Player 9, and Internet Explorer for security fixes are very much appreciated too. Many settings altered to default to more secure options, and also, IE functionality now blocks a TON of nasty site behavior and popups... Incidentally, the popup blocker in XP is better than the ones in Google, Yahoo, and MSN toolbars. It actually blocks several additional types by default.

C) The IE Add-in manager is very useful for identifying and disabling plugins for IE (even the ones previously not shown in "Downloaded Program Files").

D) The Security Center is a great way for the average user to identify and manage security concerns... Firewall, Windows Updates, and Antivirus. The list of supported Antivirus vendors has grown, and will continue to expand by the time SP2 is finalized.

E) Compatibility of applications is greatly improved in this build, although it is just a simple fact that if you don't have the latest updates to your software you will probably encounter at least SOME trouble with the service pack.

Bottom line... lots of great stuff here, but if compatibility is a concern... do yourself a favor and check for driver and software updates BEFORE you install the final.

If you're not technically knowledgeable, DO NOT waste your time with the betas.. it will probably cause you grief in the end.

Aaron

Score: 0

By crw

edited Jul 3, 2004 - 2:17 AM

B) The changes to Outlook Express, Windows Media Player 9, and Internet Explorer for security fixes are very much appreciated too. Many settings altered to default to more secure options, and also, IE functionality now blocks a TON of nasty site behavior and popups... Incidentally, the popup blocker in XP is better than the ones in Google, Yahoo, and MSN toolbars. It actually blocks several additional types by default.

I seem to remember a web browser that has had those features for some time now, what was it??....Oh yeah, Mozilla! MS in their typical fashion is just copying what has all ready been done, and not to mention, Mozilla uses a lot less resources than Explorer dose and it is faster.

Score: 0

By joachimeberhard

posted Jun 23, 2004 - 12:14 PM

XP SP2 RC2 also includes the following updates:

DirectX9c
.NET Framework v1.1
MovieMaker2
WindowsMediaPlayer9
WindowsMessenger 4.70.3000

Which is SOOO Great, I Love It!
No need for additional MS-Updates anymore for my taste. Cuts down Install-Time a lot!

Score: 0

By Black-Wolf

posted Jun 16, 2004 - 10:50 AM

I encountered atapi.sys problem during installation.

Clicked on Retry several times but didn't work.

Then I had to cancel it because it couldn't continue, anyone got the similar problem?

Score: 0

By YinCh

posted Jun 16, 2004 - 3:34 PM

Just go to c:\windows\system32\drivers and delete the file then click retry. That's it

Score: 0

By taz757

posted Jun 16, 2004 - 11:08 AM

I had this exact same issue, but after fighting with it for 2 hours, it was a simple thing.

Do you have Alcohol 120% installed? If you do, uninstall it. That's what's causing the atapi.sys error. After you undo it, it works great.

Score: 0

By Co0L

posted Jul 6, 2004 - 4:02 AM

Alcohol 120% does NOT affect install off SP2 RC2!
(And it works great afterr RC2 install aswell!)
Just delete atapi.sys from your system.
File will be recreated after install!

Score: 0

By squirrel83

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 9:25 PM

If i install this update will I have to uninstall for further updates?

Score: 0

By stuclark

posted Jun 17, 2004 - 6:15 AM

No, you don't need to un-install first!

This is the first release of RC2 which doesn't require you to un-install the previous release before installing this one.

I know that to be true - I tried it last night! (and I am on the beta program, so have used all the previous releases, not just the RC releases)

Score: 0

By Dreimanis

posted Jun 16, 2004 - 4:06 AM

yes

Score: 0

By squirrel83

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 11:32 AM

where can we download this?

Score: 0

By Backtrax

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 10:52 PM

If you click on this link it will take you directly to it.

http://www.microsoft.com/sp2preview/.

Score: 0

By markus.ho

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 2:08 PM

Well, start Windows Update program and start searching for updates - and there it is. Have fun!

Score: 0

By thing

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 1:19 PM

http://www.microsoft.com

Score: 0

By Jeffsoft

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 9:59 AM

Yahoo~~~!!

Score: 0

By Zero3K

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 10:20 AM

But when will it be available for download?

Score: 0

By rrbaker

edited Jun 15, 2004 - 10:37 AM

Microsoft's now saying the final release should happen in July. Meaning late July by their standards. And for everyone else, we know that translates into mmmaybe August.

Any further questions Mr. Gates can answer at a press conference scheduled for today at 3 o'clock. Actually, 4 o'clock. Oh, let's say six.

Score: 0

By surfbum4fun

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 10:52 AM

forget XP -i use and like 2003 server and 2000 pro for my Windows O/S's.But now i've been using Sun Java Desktop system (linux base).Not bad.

Score: 0

By thing

posted Jun 15, 2004 - 4:57 PM

use slackware.

Score: 0

By wnowak1

posted Jun 18, 2004 - 1:19 AM

Yes Slackware is great.

Score: 0

By thing

posted Jun 18, 2004 - 10:40 AM

use microsoft windows 98 second edition if you need to run microsoft windows software, and use slackware linux 10 (beta is out) if you want to work.

Score: 0

By deadmonkey

posted Jun 27, 2004 - 3:55 PM

98? Man thats crazy! Use Windows 2000 Pro with SP4 solid as a rock and if you keep it patched as secure as Fort Knox :)

Score: 0

By thewizardman

posted Jun 19, 2004 - 1:28 AM

What is Slackware ??????????????????

Score: 0

By thing

posted Jun 19, 2004 - 2:57 PM

"slackware" is italian food.

Score: 0

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