XP SP2 Final Released

[Shannon]

Well, kinda. Currently only the network installation is available (the one that you download and can burn to a CD or whatever instead of just updating through Windows Update).

Linkage

Or, here's the direct download link for you lazy err, people. It's a hefty 260MB or so... Also, here's a guide to slipstreaming SP2 into your current XP disc. For the uneducated, this basically means you can reinstall Windows XP with SP2 pre-installed.

And finally, for all you uxtheme.dll junkies like me, you can get the patched DLL here. It's just the DLL in it's rawest form, so you might want to follow this guide.

Edit: SP2 Express Installer released. This is basically a small installer that will only download and install what you need. Note that you can't slipstream this version and you'll have to redownload it if you ever format.

Edit #2: Wow. Microsoft are really going all out with this service pack. They've even released a list of SP2 incompatibilities here.

 

[Solid Fro]

Yay!

Hopefully Bluetooth will actually work with SP2 installed.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Better use a torrent to prevent corruption

The file is 266.0MB

 

[Flerbizky]

And my DL took all of 5 minutes

Now I'm not sure I'm installing it right now as this copy of Windows XP isn't exactly legal (STOP - It's my Wrrk Dell laptop, which was, mistakenly, delivered with a Danish copy, instead I'm running a UK version)....

SP2 RC2 fubar'ed my activation so hard I had to do a re-install, and until I get final notice this one won't, I'm not installing it...

 

[Race Idiot]

Dear All,
Please note Microsoft has released Windows XP Service Pack 2 - SP2 today. Please do install it on any GD machines yourselves.

Correction...

Please do NOT install the service pack on any GD machines yourselves

I might give it a go on my pc, then i'll know what apps won't work when some idiot decides to install it themselves.

 

[Shannon]

I just installed it. So far so good.

 

[Flerbizky]

I just installed it. So far so good.

👍

So far nothing really interesting to report either... No nagging Activation thingy as in the Betas and RCs I've tried - Nice to see that M$ for once is more concerned about security than pirating of their products....

 

[Shannon]

👍

So far nothing really interesting to report either... No nagging Activation thingy as in the Betas and RCs I've tried - Nice to see that M$ for once is more concerned about security than pirating of their products....

Yeah, I was suprised when they announced pirated keys would work with it...

 

[[]CiBoYs[]]

Yay!

Hopefully Bluetooth will actually work with SP2 installed.

Hmm weird. Bluetooth works for me.

 

[sUn]

Thanks Shannon!

I'm currently downloading this. 👍

 

[toyomatt84]

If you want the IT version it is available. But, if you want just the normal Windows Update version, you'll be sitting until the 16th this month.

 

[Flerbizky]

If you want the IT version it is available. But, if you want just the normal Windows Update version, you'll be sitting until the 16th this month.

I'm DL'ing the techie version once again here at home as I have to install it 5 times

 

[sUn]

I'm not on a network, I'm on a single computer, should I really listen to there warning of waiting for the Windows Update crap or should I just install now?

 

[Flerbizky]

I'm not on a network, I'm on a single computer, should I really listen to there warning of waiting for the Windows Update crap or should I just install now?

If you've kept your computer updated with windowsupdate you can probably save a lot on the DL as the internet install only DLs and installs what's necessary - where as the Techie version includes all patches up till now....

So if the Connection is there, it's entirely your call - won't make a huge diff... (If you DO download the Techie version, you'll of course have it the next time you install XP and hence, it'll save you a DL should that time come...)

 

[toyomatt84]

Only problem is, if you reformat with XP and install SP2, you still need to install the Java Module. They took it out of the Service Packs, during SP1. That's why we have SP1a downloadable.

 

[Shannon]

I'm not on a network, I'm on a single computer, should I really listen to there warning of waiting for the Windows Update crap or should I just install now?

Like Fler said, the network install is a downloadable installer, where as the Windows Update is just a hotfix that is downloaded and installed. When/if you ever format XP, you'll need to redownload it where as with the network one you can simply burn it to a disc and reinstall it, or better yet, just slipstream it into XP!

 

[sUn]

If you've kept your computer updated with windowsupdate you can probably save a lot on the DL as the internet install only DLs and installs what's necessary - where as the Techie version includes all patches up till now....

So if the Connection is there, it's entirely your call - won't make a huge diff... (If you DO download the Techie version, you'll of course have it the next time you install XP and hence, it'll save you a DL should that time come...)

I have installed all the updates after SP1, except the ones that were released in the past month and a half. I guess I'll wait for the Windows Update hotfix. I've got this file downloaded and on my desktop. So meh, I'll wait.

 

[Apclps]

Going to wait a bit longer for SP2. I've heard some negative feedback from users who have allready done the upgrade + IBM is telling you to wait (atleast for their PCs).

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?NewsID=2052

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?NewsID=2056

 

[Shannon]

Going to wait a bit longer for SP2. I've heard some negative feedback from users who have allready done the upgrade + IBM is telling you to wait (atleast for their PCs).

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?NewsID=2052

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?NewsID=2056

Microsoft warned ages ago that SP2 could break some apps. Developers were told to dowload the SP2 Release Candidate and test their apps. If the developers of the boken apps couldn't be bothered checking their apps for SP2 compliancy, then that doesn't say much on their behalf does it?

With that said, after a day of having SP2 installed, I haven't encountered any problems at all. 👍

 

[Flerbizky]

Microsoft warned ages ago that SP2 could break some apps. Developers were told to dowload the SP2 Release Candidate and test their apps. If the developers of the boken apps couldn't be bothered checking their apps for SP2 compliancy, then that doesn't say much on their behalf does it?

With that said, after a day of having SP2 installed, I haven't encountered any problems at all. 👍

Only thing I saw, was when I launched Nero, a new MxgBox popped up - "This program is known to have issues with this version of Windows, would you like to update ?".. - I didn't, and Nero behaved as it's usual good mannered self..

 

[Apclps]

Microsoft warned ages ago that SP2 could break some apps.

k, fine, I'm not that up to date and I didn't know that. It is only normal though that they say that, now they can say "we told you so".
But still, there will be points where they can improve and some time soon they will have an adjusted version.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Finally, got it installed

Start-up was slower for some reason.

 

[Shannon]

The SP2 express installer has been released. Check the edited first post. 👍

 

[sUn]

Darn, they've delayed the SP2 Auto Update further.

SP2 now won't be available on Automatic Update for users of Windows XP Professional Edition until Aug. 25 at the earliest, according to the e-mail, which was posted to a number of enthusiast Web sites, including one run by Steven Bink, a software developer based in Amsterdam.

Linkage to the CNET.com News Story.

 

[Darin]

I'm Downloading it now.

 

[Robin]

Sorry to raise an old thread...........

OK........when it comes to windows updates I'm a technological desert!.......or its just Microsoft is not organised!.....I want XP SP2.....Its ment to come out to single computers via windows auto update on the 25th (today).....1. why can't I get it ,and 2. where the hell is it!

In essence.........I want Service Pack 2!!! and I can't find the Final Final end user release (Im not talking network or IT release).......can somebody help?

 

[sUn]

Darn, they've delayed the SP2 Auto Update further.

SP2 now won't be available on Automatic Update for users of Windows XP Professional Edition until Aug. 25 at the earliest, according to the e-mail, which was posted to a number of enthusiast Web sites, including one run by Steven Bink, a software developer based in Amsterdam.

Linkage to the CNET.com News Story.

Robin, read that quote, they have delayed it further. 👎

 

[Robin]

K...........thanks for the reply sUn.........I guess home edition users are gonna have to wait ages .....oh well 👎

 

[[]CiBoYs[]]

I don't know if you guys now, unless your a gamer but:

New built-in firewall software to automatically block access of some popular games to the internet.

The impending release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has prompted Microsoft to reveal a list of programs that may experience problems with the massive update. Included on the rather extensive list are a quite a few games, including such popular titles as Warcraft III and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Microsoft stated that most of the problems are associated with the new built-in Windows Firewall, where users must approve programs that attempt to make Internet connections. However, some programs use data pages that the firewall automatically blocks, as they are common attack routes for hackers. A workaround is built into the firewall software, as well as the ability for advanced users to simply turn it off.

The games affected by Service Pack 2 are as follows:

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
Chess Advantage III: Lego Chess
Combat Flight Simulator 3 Command & Conquer: Generals
Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Conflict: Desert Storm
Dead Man's Hand
Earth & Beyond
Elite Forces Vietnam: Special Assignment 2
Freedom Force
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Medieval Total War
Midnight Outlaw: Illegal Street Drag MotoRacer
NASCAR Racing 2003
NBA Live 2000
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2
Roller Coaster Factory
Scrabble
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
SimCity 4
Star Trek StarFleet Command III
Star Wars: Knights: of the Old Republic
StarCraft
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
Tribes 2
Unreal II
Unreal Tournament 2003
Unreal Tournament Game of the Year Edition
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Collector's Edition

A full list of programs, and the versions affected, is available at Microsoft's web site. Service Pack 2 will be officially released to XP users via automatic update later this month.

Quoted from EBgames and Gamespot.

Sorry, if somebody already posted this info.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I've had mine for about a week now, and my Windows Media Player takes a long time to start playing something. In fact, the video often starts before I can even see it, and I often have to start the video over again, to see the beginning I missed. I never had that problem before. Do you guys have that problem? Know of a way to fix it?