XP Service Pack 2 Preview is now available for public download.

ESALADUANE · #1 03-19-2004, 06:05 PM

"To aid IT professionals in planning and testing for the deployment of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft is making available this preview, based on Release Candidate 1 (RC1) of the SP2. Additionally, we have established 11 newsgroups for sharing information."
http://communities.microsoft.com/new...xpsp2&slcid=us

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2 RC1)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...p2preview.mspx

Azn_tweaker · #2 03-19-2004, 09:06 PM

ESALADUANE, did u download and install them?

ESALADUANE · #3 03-19-2004, 09:10 PM

No, I didn't. I can wait a few more months for the final version. There will probably be an RC2 between now and then anyway, with more changes. I have heard that people are having all kinds of trouble downloading it. Maybe, the site is just busy because so many people want to try it.

Azn_tweaker · #4 03-19-2004, 09:13 PM

lol, ok ESALADUANE. do u know the exact date?

ESALADUANE · #5 03-19-2004, 09:16 PM

Nope. The end of June or beginning of July, maybe (just a guess).

Azn_tweaker · #6 03-19-2004, 09:22 PM

is it true that SP2 prevents Viruses?

ESALADUANE · #7 03-19-2004, 09:35 PM

No. There's no anti-virus program attached to the Service Pack. There is a new feature, called the Security Center (see link 1), that is supposed to alert you to any potential problems. You'll be able to access it through the new Control Panel (see link 2).

link 1

link 2

Azn_tweaker · #8 03-19-2004, 09:38 PM

Dam, it looks Good. want to get it but i rather wait for the full release.

BubbaT68 · #9 03-20-2004, 04:08 PM

Question. I used the Belarc Advisor in an attempt to solve my problem. I use IE for games and all other web related activity. I am now unable to play table Games in POGO.Com due to the additional window being blocked. I am also unable to listen to online radio like I used to on my old puter. The Belarc Advisor showed that I already HAVE the SP2 and I have been told that it has a blocker incorporated in it. Is this true? And if so, how can I disable it in order to play games AND listen to online radio??

ESALADUANE · #10 03-20-2004, 04:24 PM

I think that all XP SP1s that have been downloading Hotfixes from Microsoft are identified as SP2 (for example, in Add/Remove Programs and in IE > Help > 'About Internet Explorer'). You don't really have SP2 unless you specifically downloaded the preview.

What 'blocker' are you referring to? The firewall? IE security options? If you have another firewall, you can disable the XP firewall by:

1. Open Network Connections in Control Panel.
2. Right-click the connection you don't want to firewall and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. On the Advanced tab of the properties dialog box, take the check out of the box that says "Protect My Computer and Network by Limiting or Preventing Access to This Computer From the Internet."

Azn_tweaker · #11 03-20-2004, 05:50 PM

for some odd reason, i windows updated and install windows Xp Hotfix(SP2)Q819696. does that mean i have windows service pack 2?

ESALADUANE · #12 03-20-2004, 06:25 PM

No. The Hotfixes are called SP2, presumably because the Hotfix will be part of the rollup of post-SP1 fixes that we will get when we finally download SP2. Nobody has SP2 unless they downloaded it from the site I posted or got it on a CD from Microsoft. Actually, there are a couple of versions of SP2 floating around the internet, but, if you didn't specifically download SP2, then you don't have it yet.

BubbaT68 · #13 03-20-2004, 06:44 PM

I honestly have no clue as to what "blocker" I have. I don't know if it is XP related OR IE related. I have visited the XP site and read all that is available, but I have had NO LUCK in getting any results. Last year, I had an older puter, but I was able to acces AIR1.COM AND listen to it. Now, when I go to the sight and click LISTEN, I get a message at the bottom of my IE Window that says " A Pop Up Ad was Blocked"

Play_The_0dds · #14 03-20-2004, 11:45 PM

ty for the link, i have been waiting for the IT installer, i have sp2 beta on 2 machines now and so far so good. have to know your way around networking to be able to get your network connections going again, but wasnt that big of a deal. it will be a nightmare to home user networks though. the control panel interface for the firewall is extra cool, makes it as easy to use as any third party firewall. i have heard rumors that a anti-virus program was going to be part of the full release. but this is just a rumor........