On Friday, Microsoft announced the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 to manufacturing. The RTM build, 2180, is available now for testers, with a general release next week. Users with Automatic Updates turned on will begin to receive the service pack starting Tuesday.
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I'm a bit puzzled here: using AutoStreamer 1.0 to slipstream the Network install I downloaded straight from Microsoft. When selecting the service pack file, AS detects it as: "build 2180 (pre-SP2)"
What's "pre-SP2"?
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|Link 1
Link 2
now get the news item up that they're out.
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|also
http://www.microsoft.com...DB5A&displaylang=en
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|Neowin reports that it appears that Pirated XP Keys are working with Service Pack 2 very well. Is this true? I need this verified. Thanks!
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|Yes... one of the changes they made at the last minute was to allow them afterall, because of their desire for as many people to have this installed as possible. However, it should be noted that A) Keys that were blocked by SP1/1a are STILL blocked by SP2 (no new keys were added), and B) Neowin is NOT a reliable news source.
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|buy the software if you need to know that ass-hat.
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|Or do I have to wait until the end of the month for the ofiicial release of the downlod version?
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|You need to download the "Network Install" (266MB) if you wish to slipstream it.
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|I've slipstreamed this service pack and it seems to function normally. Give it a try...
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|http://filemirrors.com/s....exe&size=278920704
This is the msdn version and as u can see it is only about 273 MB in size, as this is the network install that does not have the SDK like msdn does.
UPDATE: do NOT use this one now that the official one is released, see the comments at top.
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|If anyone uses that link, use the w3.gorge.net server, it's the fastest. I got around 500kb/s from that one.
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|After Microsoft release the Win XP SP2, they also need to make the Platform SDK Update Final.
http://www.microsoft.com...d/platformsdk/sdkupdate/
Until today they still using the old version, and the new version still beta.
I hope in few days they will make the final version.
Here is the beta version of Platform SDK Update
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1088444800/1
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1085432158/1
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|So is the SP2 coming out at the end of the month or next tuesday...little bit confused... but I'm sure it means something else just need a bit of clairification
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|XP SP2 will be available for Automatic Updates Tuesday (and manual download) Those that use Windows Update will not get the release until August 25th.
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|Thanks wolf :)
and goodlife 2 :D
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|That's partly correct...
Microsoft plans to post the full "Network Install" version on Tuesday (based on reports I've seen, but not confirmed by Microsoft). The file is approximately 267MB.
Microsoft also plans to begin Automatic Updates on Tuesday, but they will stagger the Automatic Updates based on IP ranges so they don't overload their own servers. They have not clarified what that schedule is though, so some machines will get it early on, others may take a while.
The manual Windows Update appearance will not happen until August 25th... again, based on reports I've seen, but not confirmed by Microsoft.
Ultimately it comes down to this... if you absolutely can't wait much longer for deployments, I would recommend you download the Network Install on Tuesday. It's friggen huge, but you can use it on ALL versions of XP.
If you're not ready for it that quickly, wait until it hits you on Auto or Manual Updates.
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|Or you can download it right now if you are a MSDN member. I downloaded it today it it in total is 475 MB's big.
It is final and appears to be really no different from RC2 on the outside.
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|How do I set automatic update on my computer? I want SP2 on Tuesday if I can. Doesn't auto update do the sa,e thing as Windows Update just automatically?
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|Right click on My Computer, and choose Properties.
Click the Automatic Updates tab.
Click the options to Automatically Download and Install updates... schedule for a time of your choosing and leave your connection active (A firewall is recommended).
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|The 475MB file is the ISO for the CD if I recall... you really only need to download the 266MB network install. :)
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|It's about time! :) Now all these people running around like chickens with their heads cut off can stop posting random speculation and quit their whining that it's not out yet, lol.
Seriously though, I'm glad it's finally released... SP2 may offer an initial learning curve because of its new security-oriented configurations, but in the long term it will be a blessing to XP users.
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|i doubt joe user is going to notice any difference at all... at least that's my guess and i would hope that was what microsoft was aiming for.
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|Joe User will notice a difference. The firewall will interact with them, and the windows updates are now on the v5 site, which looks and works differently than v4 that everyone is used to. I've had the SP beta on for a couple of weeeks.
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|i'll give you the firewall one but i really doubt the average user visits the windows update site as opposed to just waiting for the windows update tray icon to harass them.
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|I think you're gonna be surprised at how much feels different with SP2... especially as you're surfing the web due to the changes in IE.
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|IE to surf the Web? You're joking, right? ;-)
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|ok, those with automatic updates will get it tuesday..
I have a ? about that... does that mean when I go to system properties and I have windows updates to update and download auto.. OR does that mean that you have to have the BETA VERSION in order for it to automaticaly update?? Cause I heard that those with the SP2 beta will have it update automaticaly...
So, if I have windows updates to update automaticaly in system properties, tuesday will I get the update in the system tray???
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|It's a trickle down effect... Automatic Updates is being performed in a staggered manner so not to overload their servers.
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|Yes, I'm serious... despite a small percentage of users who have recently flocked to Mozilla and other browsers, IE still holds the dominant position on the net and most likely will for a long time to come.
I use it... everyone I know uses it. And don't get started on an "alternative browsers" debate here.... the article is about SP2, not alternatives.
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|BTW, you MUST use IE to automatically update Windows (and Office, for that matter)... Mozilla decided long ago not to support ActiveX.
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|Much to learn you do, young one.
IE is on the verge of impending death, it's barely on it's last thread with the release of SP2.
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|Uhhuh... you keep believing that.
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|Not true. (Actually, maybe it is for Office; I don't know, as I don't use that, either. Something tells me it's probably true.)
But as for Windows, at least Windows XP, if you turn on Automatic Updates--even to the setting for which it just notifies you of new updates without automatically downloading or installing them--you can do the process just using that little program. No IE required.
And there's always the option of downloading the updates yourself using the update catalog--with any browser. Not the best/easiest option, though.
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|You should visit http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
After the first visit when it will give you v5, go back again and it will update BITS, which is what will enable the SP2 auto update.
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|You will only get the critical updates that way...
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|Let say I've got every patch and every update. So other than having to get rid of an annoying firewall whats the dif?
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|That's a complicated question to answer... perhaps you should do some reading here:
http://www.microsoft.com.../maintain/sp2chngs.mspx
There is a LOT of changes under the hood, and frankly, I think you'd find more to like than you will find "annoying".
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|You must use IE at least to browse your computer, to install office, to install Corel Wordperfect, and for every program that lists IE as a requirement (including many very popular video games). You use IE all the time--unless of course you use a Mac. IE is part of Windows, and has been since Windows 98--don't you remember that lawsuit Netscape filed?
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|Since I rarely use IE for anything but Windows Update, and never use the XP firewall, automatic updates, or Windows Media Player, I probably won't see much difference.
I do give it credit for a completely trouble-free install though, something I couldndn't say for SP1, which hung upon its post-installation reboot.
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|Actually... from a cosmetic-usability standpoint, no you won't notice much difference. However, from a stability-performance standpoint you should notice a drastic improvement. I highly recommend this to EVERYONE running XP, regardless of whether or not SP2 is their primary browser or not.
Incidentally, I'm not a MSFT goon or anything, but I have been working with RC1 and RC2 since their initial preview releases. I've been pleasantly impressed by it, so that's why I'm so gung-ho about this release.
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