Win XP sp2 Download

[Waccoon]

If you're REALLY paranoid about security, just run Linux/Firefox like I do, and install the official Java2, which is loads better than the MS Virtual Machine.  Solid as a rock.  Don't be too quick to rat on Windows for Blue Screens.  My dad just downloaded the latest nVidia Detonator drivers, and it was crash city!  The older drivers are much better.  My ATI drivers are awesome.

Outlook Express hasn't given me any virus trouble, so long as you have ActiveX and VB scripting turned off in IE6.  I don't like that IE and OE have unified security, but I rarely use IE for browsing, anymore.  Just watch out for 3rd party virus scanners.  Some of them do some nasty hacks to get into your mailbox, and Norton destroyed my Inbox once (multiple accounts of this happening from different people).  I eventually disabled e-mail scanning, and all seems fine.

My only gripe is the machine boots up in 20 seconds flat, but takes 1-4 minutes to shut down.  Yay for NT!  :-)

[blobrana]

@ Waccoon
Hum, you could try disabling the restore feature (just switch on again when you need to make a checkpoint) and you may find that it shuts down just that bit quicker...
[i just switch it on when i install new software...]

And on topic...The Windows XP Service Pack 2 Build 2142  (xpsp.040528-0019) has been released (with update V5)
It will install on any copy as long as you dont got the most common pirated keys..
HOWEVER, when it restarts it checks against the online database if your key is actually valid (Meaning key gens wont work).
So much for M$ ,and Windows Update V5 , looks like they are shutting the door for most pirates...
This means if you just happen to have an invalid serial the windows activation window will pop in and force you to register without the ability to log in to windows.

(hum, no problem here apart from the rubbish OS)

       
Download
( 270 Mb)

[BIG-IRON]

Works good for me, downloaded fairly quickly. Kinda like WMP 10, not bad overall.

[blobrana]

Hehe,
and now you`ll have to download it all again...

Windows XP SP2 RC2, build number  2149, is now available for download from WindowsBeta(you up!)  :-)

[Orjan]

So when will the final version be released?

[mikeymike]

"When it is ready" :-)

[blobrana]

Hum,
is a windozes OS ever ready?

RC2 build number >2155 is supposed to be released in July, but the word on the street is that there may actually be a Release  Candidate 3 shortly after that (to fix the RC2 bugs?)

But this release (sry, open to beta testers only now) seems fairly stable (in a sort of win95 way)

[mikeymike]

is a windozes OS ever ready?

Given that Windows NTx (as in NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, and later) evolves through service packs in the same way that Mac OS X and every UNIX variant does, and they are all arguably as good as each other overall (each with its own advantages over the others), I think you're being a tad biassed to the point of pure MS-bashing.

But this release (sry, open to beta testers only now) seems fairly stable (in a sort of win95 way)

Considering it's a public beta test, you're once again being biassed in your implication that it is somehow 'secret'.  I don't know anyone whose opinion I trust regarding Windows who is trying the XP SP2 beta, but the general opinion I have heard is that it does good things for WinXP.

I personally prefer Windows 2000 to XP, I think it is a more mature product.  My parents' machine has XP on it as the Luna GUI is better for their aging eyes than any scheme I could contrive using previous versions of Windows.

[bloodline]

[Calen]

The sp2 setup file (1,211kb) for the 270Mb download...

Who said windows was bloated  :crazy:

[mikeymike]

How much do you have to download for a typical WinXP box though?  Consider that the full service pack size will include stuff that you don't have on your system, and the 'express download' will only download what is needed.

For example, on a typical Win2k Pro workstation, going up a service pack usually results in a 20MB download.  Usually Win2k service packs are ~100MB in size if you don't want to do an express download.

I've heard extremely varying figures for the total size of XP SP2.  I've heard 270MB, but I've also heard as low as 40MB.

WinXP doesn't have Server versions that the service packs need to cater for, but there is the Home and Pro version, which mainly differs wrt Windows filesharing/domain services.

[Calen]

I've heard extremely varying figures for the total size of XP SP2. I've heard 270MB, but I've also heard as low as 40MB.

I'd doubt the 40MB holds true, given that SP1 was over 100mb. Over 200mb sounds about right given that SP1 may be included. perhaps there may be a choice of 2 downloads, with and without updates from SP1 for people who already have it, no idea though

Either way, it's a huge d/l and no fun what so ever for people on dialup.

[pjhutch]

Microsoft provide two versions, an Express and a Network version. The Express version d/l's a small program which connects to internet and only downloads the updates required (which may vary from 20-200M). The Network version is the Full Service Pack, and is useful when deploying it to multiple computers.

[mikeymike]

Either way, it's a huge d/l and no fun what so ever for people on dialup.

True, but service packs are available on computer cover CDs.  Plus, my business benefits from doing customers favours in this respect :-)

[blobrana]

Hum,
It`s actually only ~264 Mb    (about 12 hours on me dial up)

Windows XP SP2 RC2 2149 English
Windows XP SP2 RC2 2149 German


Express Install

[blobrana]

Hum,
    

So it looks like SP2 (and updateV5) is aimed at security and the prevention of illegal copies of xp...


The pirates are prevented  from obtaining patches from Windows Update...
And as mentioned before, this means that they will be left vulnerable and could contribute to virus/worm attacks which, in the end, will also affect the legitimate customers...
    


The solution at the moment seems to be  AutoPatcher XP 4.5 (April Update)...


Or perhaps it`s time for them to realise how stupid and rubbish the xp platform is and move onto linux...
(or dare i say A0s?)




[Disclaimer - i don`t know what i`m doing]