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Microsoft Lists SP2 Incompatibilities

By David Worthington, BetaNews

August 16, 2004, 7:12 PM

Microsoft has compiled a list of incompatible applications that are "broken" by Windows XP Service Pack 2. SP2 was released to manufacturing on August 6.

The service pack features numerous enhancements such as a new version of Internet Explorer that has a pop-up blocker and download manager built in; memory protection against buffer overruns; e-mail safeguards for Outlook Express; a stateful inspection firewall; refined permissions in RPC and DCOM; Windows Security Center; and new security settings for Windows Media Player 9.

Due to customer concerns over these incompatibilities, Microsoft has released a tool for network administrators that disables automatic updates to prevent any unplanned installations of the update.

Some large organizations, including IBM, have issued mandates instructing IT personnel to hold off on adopting the Service Pack until they are certain that mission critical applications are not at risk.

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By eltigre1

edited Sep 4, 2004 - 5:36 PM

I've downloaded Service Pack 2 and installed it and have not had any problems.

Score: 0

By theheff

posted Apr 13, 2005 - 12:22 PM

I've installed Windows XP SP2 on a number of machines, all which experience no problems. They're old and new, and if you know what you're doing, you won't run into any problems. I encountered one machine that crashed once it was installed, but it was due to an excessive amount of spyware and virii. If you have a clean-running system, you should be fine. I've had Sp2 installed since before it came out and have had absolutely no problems. The Windows XP Pro CD that comes with SP2 also works great. Just don't install the SP2 Update on top of a bunch of spyware.

Score: 0

By sandwich

edited Sep 7, 2004 - 11:31 PM

I have two computers, one i bought yesterday it fails to boot up after sp2!!!! It stops just after the keyboard flashes and keeps rebooting itself. Its an athalon 64 3000. I uninstalled sp2 from safemode to recover. Then I have an older computer that has memory exception errors when you right click the tool bar. I know for sure with the new computer I didn't have any spyware or viruses.

I noticed that "zoo" has almost the same computer as me.

How is it that both of my computers won't take the update?

Score: 0

By dhigby

posted Mar 3, 2005 - 11:14 AM

I also have an Athlon 64 3000 that will not work with SP2. My motherboard is Gigabyte K8N Pro. Have you ever been able to find the problem?

Score: 0

By nilst2004

posted Aug 21, 2004 - 5:53 AM

Install a clean copy of XP, install Your drivers with latest versions (don't use optimized drivers), install sp2 and then install Your apps.

Many of the programs in the incompabilitylist works just fine for me. No problems so far.

Score: 0

By .:zoo:.

posted Aug 26, 2004 - 10:29 AM

I maked a windows XP PRO with SP2 clean install and all was ok until installed some apps. like OutPost FireWall, Remotely Anywhere, I'd have with this and i'd decide format again and come back to XP+SP1, and all is ok now.
My PC:
AMD64 3000+ with 1gb RAM markvision PC32000
HD Maxtor IDE 7200rpm
SB AUDIGY 2 ZS
FX5900XT 128
MSI K8TNeo-FIS2R BIOS 1.8

And i maked a clean install of Windows XP+SP2 on P4 1.5 with 512RAMBUS,MSI 6339 MO, ATI R8500/128,AUDIGY Gamer. In this PC all is ok with all same apps. (OutPost Firewall,PCAnywhere).

So.... We have AMDs incompatibilities??... May be...

MICROSFT TAKE NOTE!!!

Score: 0

By sparky5556

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 6:42 PM

I have been reading that sp2 will cause you HD to be damaged. The boot sector will corrupt and the drive will get physical errors. I don't see how this is possible unless there are microscopic Bill Gates running around with a rake to your harddrive. Anyone else heard of this?
Either way, I think I will wait till microsoft gets things straight. I don't wanna install sp2 and have 1/2 my apps not work.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 20, 2004 - 10:51 AM

Nope. Software cannot cause your hdd to have physical errors, especially since the hard drive is where software is stored. Now, perhaps in certain rare unusual circumstances SP2 may cause windows to fail to boot (this would be true especially if the sp install were interrupted in the middle).

Score: 0

By sparky5556

posted Aug 20, 2004 - 6:07 PM

Oh I know it is imposible for software to physically damage a drive but i thought it was all interesting lol

Score: 0

By virtorio

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 8:10 PM

You have heard wrong

Score: 0

By ChadL

posted Aug 21, 2004 - 5:51 AM

You can hear things like that, because as soon as windows fails to boot, people will start complaining that there hard disks have a problem, when really they kicked out the power cable or were playing a game during SP2 installation, and they would rather not blame it on themselfs.

There are some cases where there actually is a problem with SP2 stoping the boot of windows, however that is still not a hardware problem.

Score: 0

By utomo

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 10:44 PM

For all who feel bad about win xp sp2, wait for win xp sp2a.
Please keep reporting problems you are facing with win xp sp2, so maybe Microsoft will make the win xp sp2a soon, to solve all the problems and make all people happy.

To Microsoft: if Microsoft really want to make customer happy, consider the win xp sp2 soon, otherwise it will make not good in win xp user

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 5:19 AM

It is impossible to make EVERYONE happy all the time. It simply cannot be done. Users will always want more features, more security, more whatever regardless of what Microsoft or anyone else releases.

Score: 0

By tal3152

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 9:51 PM

I installed SP2 3 weeks ago I have not experienced any problems. I have on my computer e-trust antivirus and Nero 6 latest version also Visual Studio NET. I think you need to configure the new firewall which I have done or you can simply turn off the firewall and see if you still having the same problems.

Score: 0

By QBgreen

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 9:23 PM

Don't. At least not yet. It should be S.O.P. to give any new OS, service pack, or any other "major" release from MS a wide berth until the majority of quirks are dealt with. Make sense? I think so.

Score: 0

By gcbetaman

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 8:49 PM

SP2 downloaded and installed very smoothly. No hitches or glitches. But within 24 hours, I experienced five freeze ups and one BSOD involving a Networked Attached Storage device. After an initial speed-up, Explorer windows soon after opened slowly, apps loaded slowly (especially Outlook), and video rendering software went to a crawl. After removing SP2, performance and stability returned to its original state. Not sure I can blame legacy apps or drivers. I am running a brand new Toshiba laptop with a 15.4" wide screen, built-in wireless, etc.

Test SP2 and be prepared to uninstall. If you choose to uninstall, go with a third party firewall, keep your anti-virus software up-to-date, and replace usage of MS Internet Explorer and Outlook Express with a better browser and email client (eg Mozilla, Mozilla Thunderbird).

And while I'm at it, try Open Office if you want a very nice alternative to insecurity-ridden MS Office.

Score: 0

By freeafrog

posted Oct 21, 2004 - 8:29 AM

Maybe you had the same problem I had. When things slowed, I watched task manager and noted that explorer spiked my cpu useage to 100% every 3-4 seconds. After stopping all tasks not critical with no change, I have uninstalled it. This didn't happen from startup, but only after at least one hour of useage. When removed, no problem. Reinstalled a second time with same results. I have uninstalled now until a better version is produced. It is annoying being told every day that there are updates ready to install.

Score: 0

By nzwizard

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 8:31 AM

I've upgraded to SP2 with absolutely no problems. A slight increase in performance, and a much better security interface. I have got to commend Microsoft on the improvements to Internet Explorer, the pop up blockers is excellent blocking un-necessary windows and downloads. I've been running SP2 for 3 weeks non-stop on my system and have had no problems. Also the biggest thing i've noticed is access to the network has improved dramatically.

(2800xp/512ddr 400/ g4ti4200 /200gb/)

Score: 0

By Morsel

edited Aug 18, 2004 - 3:47 PM

Ok, so yeah, many of us are experiencing some issues with SP2 but hey, can't always blame Microsoft. Let's face it; SP2 has to be compatible with all hardware that is out there and all apps. But I think hardware is the biggest problem. Myself, having a Radeon 9800Pro and was using the Omega Radeon driver (www.omegadrivers.net) well, guess what, kaboom!!! Rebooted from SP2 install and the driver was gone. But, I reinstalled it and all went fine.

So, let's keep that in mind, SP2 is like a new OS. And BTW, all you Mac enthusiastic that laughs at us Windows users (and I really don't want to start another debate here!) keep in mind that your OSX was built to operate exclusively on the IBM G5 processor. And anyway, that is why Apple's hardware is sooo expensive! Ho and, I wonder how Doom 3 is running on those G5 anyway?!! ;-) aah just kiddin' guys!!

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 5:55 PM

This type of thing happens with every release of every product ever made... Everyone always whines because things change and God Forbid they have to actually learn something new and update things to stay working properly.

Anyway, yes, most incompatibilities exist because some vendors use lousy programming methods and others use techniques and hacks that are OS-version dependent.

Bottom line... update your apps, learn, and move on with life.

Score: 0

By FailedCRC

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 8:20 AM

really? i've heard of only one problem with a win2k service pack (sp3 bsod with some bad promise controllers).

Score: 0

By wyojaker

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 10:16 AM

Downloaded, installed, no problems. Good job Microsoft.

Score: 0

By Anne1

posted Sep 20, 2004 - 10:55 AM

I installed SP2 a few weeks ago and notice now that I cannot open any videos/slides that are in JPEG anymore. Now is this going to affect any pictures I save and want to save in JPEG and if so, then SP2 is garbage.

Score: 0

By chasanc

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 3:42 AM

I installed fresh Windows XP(SP1 integrated) and updated to SP2.
Installed:
Office XP, Photoshop, 3D softwares, many little usaful tools... Everything worked fine.

I think microsoft firewall only affects internet based applications(as far as I know), which need open in/out ports. Other than this I don't think SP2 will cause problems.

Score: 0

By utomo

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 2:29 AM

I think many more unlisted software need more testing. as microsoft will not test all software available in the market.

prepare for the surprise

Score: 0

By donpacman

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 12:13 AM

I keep seeing "download manager" but I don't see it in sp2...

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 5:52 PM

There is no download manager in XP SP2... many news sites (this site included!) INCORRECTLY made that statement during the beta. They were wrong.

Score: 0

By supermanforever

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 11:20 PM

All thirdparty device drivers disappeared from device manager. They are still working but not shown in the list. Try many method still cannot uninstall and install them again. Extra features with my display card gone (like TV output, etc.)

Finally have to fresh install with the integrated XP SP2 CD. Device manage working fine now.

But another problem sfc/scannow not working keep asking for the XP PRO Service pack 2 CD. Inserted the CD that I used for the fresh install. Fail and keep asking for the CD retry and retry.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Aug 18, 2004 - 9:22 AM

Did you check the drivers in safe mode? Do you happen to have ATI Radeon Mobility(tm) as your video chipset (if so and your video is messed up, you may be screwed until a new driver is released) ? Also update the drivers (or simply download the latest drivers from the vendor's web site and install them). Drivers can have issues after SP upgrades--this is nothing new. I run Win2k and updated to SP4 and I had to reinstall almost all of my drivers--even my nvidia Geforce4 MX420 drivers.

Score: 0

By ChadL

posted Aug 21, 2004 - 5:47 AM

I upgraded to SP2 and I use a Mobility Radeon 9000 chipset, with no problems at all.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 1:11 PM

"Incompatability" is the key word here--this is not SP2's fault. Some programs expect XP Gold or service pack 1, but until you update them, they do not expect service pack 2 (think of SP2 as a new windows--if your application works with windows 2000 it SHOULD work with XP but there were some incompatabilities. Same thing for upgrading to SP2.)

Score: 0

By Fidelio

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 10:17 AM

You may need to read the whole article, specially the section that says "The programs that are listed in this article *MAY* experience issues after you upgrade to Windows XP SP2"

In most of the cases, what you'll see is a dialog box asking if you want to allow the application to access the internet or if you want to block it.

I think controlling what applications are sending or require sending information over the internet is the best thing it could happen.

I've found WinXP SP2 to be much more reliable and user friendly regarding applications that need a little tweak to work on it.

Score: 0

By JEdwardP

edited Aug 17, 2004 - 10:57 AM

From that list, I use eTrust, Diskeeper, Nero, and Zone Alarm. I've yet to have a problem with any of them since installing SP2.

Score: 0

By egg83

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 1:11 AM

Had problem with AVG personal Antivirus, had to uninstall, caused problem with booting into Windows, caused bluescreen error.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 9:55 AM

Interesting--mine had no problems. Oh yeah--you did update AVG ***BEFORE*** installing service pack 2, right? Grisoft's web site mentions that you must do this before you install the service pack (it specifically mentions that an updated reference file patches some issues with SP2 incompatability)

Score: 0

By Baka²

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 7:21 AM

"Nero Bruning ROM"

Anyone around here using a Nero Bruning ROM? :P

Score: 0

By TheRecklessWanderer

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 1:59 PM

I thank the bruning applakaton ees a typoh bute I am nawt shore.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 19, 2004 - 9:56 AM

Yeah--SP2 must've messed up his keyboard :)

Score: 0

By icrock

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 9:47 AM

As a matter of fact, I am using Nero Burning ROM and I'm willing to bet that you are too...

Score: 0

By Baka²

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 10:45 AM

Was a reference to the typo in the KB Article ;)

Score: 0

By icrock

edited Aug 21, 2004 - 3:49 PM

Ah.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Aug 16, 2004 - 10:09 PM

I find it troublesome that every news site is publishing this same list and claiming these applications are "broken" and yet ignoring a simple reality.

These applications are not "broken" at all... they simply require "adjustments" within the new Windows Firewall to permit traffic necessary for the applications to communicate properly.

Broken implies "does not work, cannot be fixed without a patch/workaround".

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 8:13 AM

Agreed, this is just scaremongering. The apps listed by microsoft as incompatible as basically stamped incompatible on small technicalities. Basic operation is not affected.

For instance, Visual Studio.NET is incompatible, as remote DCOM debugging needs the firewall tweaking for it to work. How many people use this feature??? Not many, of those, there is a perfectly adequete solution...

Getting as many users updated to XPSP2 is a priority, not just for Microsoft, but for the whole good of the IT industry, having scaremongering news stories like this with no real basis is just a unneeded hurdle.

Anyone have some GOOD press about XPSP2? (I doubt it, as it's always bad news that make the news...)

Score: 0

By CyberInferno

posted Aug 16, 2004 - 8:47 PM

My personal favorite incompatible apps:
Office 11 Microsoft
Office - Power Point 2002 (German) 2002 Microsoft
Office Access 2002 2002 Microsoft
Office System - Power Point 2003 Microsoft
Office XP Access 10 Microsoft
Office XP Professional Excel 10.0 SP2 --- Microsoft
Office XP SP2 - PowerPoint 11 Microsoft
Office XP Standard 10 Microsoft
Outlook 2000 9 Microsoft
Outlook 2002 10 Microsoft
Outlook 2003 11 Microsoft

Personally, I haven't experienced any of the office effects, but it's funny that Microsoft forgot to patch itself.

Score: 0

By irdepesca572

posted Aug 16, 2004 - 7:32 PM

"Microsoft delays automatic XP SP2 delivery"
-http://www.itworld.com/Comp/4063/040816mspushesback/

Check it out.

Score: 0

By Infidelus

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 10:48 AM

Nero Bruning ROM
Bakcup Exec 9.1
Norman Personla Firewall
Encarta Enzyklopädie (may well be just a localised spelling .... I hope!)
VisursScan
1st nd Grade Excelerator Curious George Studio 1

I guess that explains which part of the Office system is broken .... the spellchecker :)

Score: 0

By zellofellow

posted Aug 24, 2004 - 7:04 AM

Nero still works on my system after SP2, but the max write speed has been slashed to 4x, when it really has a max write of 24x.

No other major problems so far.

Score: 0

By sheppe

posted Aug 17, 2004 - 11:20 AM

Hehehe.... :)

Score: 0

By Rizzla

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 7:37 AM

XP SP2 may be good for those people who don't know how to handle their own security, I prefer to handle my own. Don't need the firewall, or the Ad - blocker, nor do I need the 10 socket limit for outgoing connections (most p2p users will patch this to allow at least 50) and I don't need to introduce incompatibility problems with my existing software. Needless to say I won't be installing SP2 until absolutely necessary, .... if ever.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 18, 2004 - 9:41 AM

Really? I installed it on my network August 10th with no problems. The only thing I would have done differently if I were MS is I would have released SP2 back in December as originally scheduled (without the added features--just the latest critical updates, hotfixes, etc.), and then release an SR-1 or SP 3 package now. A Service Release would be even better as that is more of what this is anyway.

Score: 0

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