Windown XP SP2

[Naturalized-Texan]

I have Windows XP and I'm using EZ Trust Anti-Virus and EZ Firewall. This morning I received a notice from Windows Update to download Windows XP Service Pack 2. I indicated that I wanted to start the download, but nothing happened, so after several minutes, I disconnected. I now have second thoughts about whether I want to download and install SP2.

My questions are:

Do I want and need SP2?

Will my anti-virus and firewall programs still work under SP2?

Will any of my software that works fine with XP still work fine with SP2?

[nosferatuscoffin]

Frankly, I would not DL SP2 now, at least for now. The more I have read, the less I like about it. Also, as with any major SP release, it will be very buggy and it will be a few months before those things are sorted out. (Or in M$'s case, never).

If your system is running smoothly, stay as you are, for now.

[Naturalized-Texan]

[ QUOTE ]
nosferatuscoffin said:
Frankly, I would not DL SP2 now, at least for now. The more I have read, the less I like about it. Also, as with any major SP release, it will be very buggy and it will be a few months before those things are sorted out. (Or in M$'s case, never).

If your system is running smoothly, stay as you are, for now.


[/ QUOTE ]

My system is running smoothly (knock on wood /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ) and I keep my virus protection current. I'll take you advice, for now.

[DoctorDoom]

SP2 is a large download—70 MB for XP Home and 92 MB for XP Pro. Anyone on a dial-up connection should consider getting the CD. And, as nos recommended, wait for the revisions to taper off.

Much of SP2 is security updates. Anyone with a reasonable grasp of computer security—which unfortunately exempts 99.99% of end users and an appalling number of IT groups—won't have a problem with putting it off for a while.

[Naturalized-Texan]

What is Microsoft charging for the CD?

[DoctorDoom]

It's not out yet, but should be shortly.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Usually it's just a few bucks for shipping.

[nosferatuscoffin]

I am waiting at least 2-3 months before I would even dare DL it and as time goes on, I do not think I will even bother. Looks to open more holes then it plugs.

[WavingGirl]

Nos---

What do you think of Kim Comando as a computer guru?

I receive her newsletters and she just/Thursday told all her readers to 'Go Ahead' and DL SP2.

Susan

[nosferatuscoffin]

I have only listened to her a little bit, so I cannot really say one way or the other. However, I was not impressed when she told a caller a few weeks ago to DL and run AdAware and SpyBot, but not Spy Sweeper which is the superior spyware removal tool.

From what I have heard, her shows seems to be more of a Radio Show for Dummies, ala the books. Again though, since I have only listened to her a little bit here and there, it is hard to really judge. Plus she is on here during Saturday afternoons, when I generally am not listening to the radio.

Now the best tech show on the radio that I listen to is Computer 2K4. Really good info on a plethora of products and excellent advice from a group of 4 guys who are hard core techies, like myself. They even come Mac to some extent, Unfortunately, it is only a local show here in Raleigh on 850AM The Buzz.

As for SP2, I am not going to play with it or DL it for a little while as it will be bug-riddled. The same thing always happens when there is a major SP from M$, whether it is for Windows, Office or what have you. SP1 caused enough grief in it's early days that I tell everyone to avoid DLing it until the kinks are worked out. If your PC is running fine and is patched properly, there is no need to DL it now.

[WavingGirl]

Thanks---

It's difficult to know what to believe.

Kim K is good at Marketing---that's all I can say.

I am tired of listening to most radio shows--I wish I knew a lot more myself.

My other question is this---why do I have to clean out the settings so often---10-12 times a day?

I go to Tools---then open 'Settings'---and see pages of cookies and what not--then I Edit/Delete all.

I have been trying different types of 'Protection'---and will DL those you suggested.

Something is just not going well with my PC...I had to turn and walk away from it today--close to a violent act.

susan

[DoctorDoom]

[ QUOTE ]
I go to Tools---then open 'Settings'---and see pages of cookies and what not--then I Edit/Delete all.

[/ QUOTE ]
Cookies are inevitable when surfing the Net. They're just text files, can't harm the machine, and are meaningful only for the site that planted them. They're useful on BBs like this because they save you logging in every time.

If that's no big deal: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy - move the slider all the way up. It will block all cookies. Using the Edit button, you can add websites to a list to allow cookies.

[ QUOTE ]
My other question is this---why do I have to clean out the settings so often---10-12 times a day?

I go to Tools---then open 'Settings'---and see pages of cookies and what not--then I Edit/Delete all.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/IEprop.jpg

I assume you're referring to the Settings button in the center section (the image is from my machine -- XP, but not the Playskool Theme). If you want to clear the files without all that hassle, use the Delete Cookies and Delete Files buttons. It's much simpler.

And there's certainly no reason to do it that often unless they're choking the machine, in which case you might want to increase the percentage of the hard drive set aside for the cache via the slider for "Amount of disk space to use" in the Settings window. 10-12 times a day is far too often. Once a week should be more than enough.

[DoctorDoom]

[ QUOTE ]
However, I was not impressed when she told a caller a few weeks ago to DL and run AdAware and SpyBot, but not Spy Sweeper which is the superior spyware removal tool.

[/ QUOTE ]
To be frank, this is the first time I've heard about it. IAC, Kim isn't on the air for the geeks, but rather for the rest of computerdom to whom the thought of removing the covers is akin to doing open-heart surgery.

[nosferatuscoffin]

Spy Sweeper has been around about as long as the other two. I have been using it for awhile and find it a lot more robust then AdAware and Spybot. Not that it is bad idea to use all three. However, I now do recommend it over the other two as it picked a LOT more spyware and spyware traces then the other two. I was just surprised she did not mention it when she was talking with that caller. I would be surprised if she had not heard of it, but I suppose you never know.

Her's is more of an all-around show from what I have heard of it. More of informing users how to day simple and daily tasks, such as how to use an AV, spyware removal tools, backing up your hard drive etc., which is a good thing. Lord knows, we could use more shows like that, as there are too many dangerous morons out there.

[DoctorDoom]

Agreed 100%. I get at least a dozen viruses a week from those morons. And it's not just clueless newbies. BlackICE reported six Slammer worm hits since this morning, and that's not your average Wal*Mart package puter worm.

[Rink]

Well having TWO firewalls is better than one, one hardware and one software, and two spyware removers, ad-aware and spybot (need to update that spybot )

I'll look into the spysweeper as well.

Never hurts to have every tool under the sun y'know!!

here's something for you geeks to have fun with http://www.dslreports.com/

Gotta love their tools in there for DSL, networking and the bunch.

Rowrrr!

[nosferatuscoffin]

Nods, it is best to have a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm or BlackICE running along with the router firewall. Mainly to keep things from getting out, as only certain programs truly need automatic 'net access, such as your brower, email client etc.

DSL Reports is a great site and one I highly recommend, especially for broadband modem and router problems.

[Rink]

I use the e-Trust firewall and AV that they had offered for a short time deal i.e. the whole shebang for a short time could be had and was got by moi.

[Rink]

PS: do you know its Real nice to have a fellow geek around here to talk geek talk with /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon129.gif

[nosferatuscoffin]

Thanks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Rhino has other things to worry about, via the loss of his Father-in-law, :. So Doc and I have been inserted as reserve Techis for now. Than again, nothing new there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

It is also good to be back and helping out my fellow Freecers with whatever ails their PC's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[DoctorDoom]

[ QUOTE ]
DSL Reports is a great site and one I highly recommend, especially for broadband modem and router problems.

[/ QUOTE ]
Whose saintly, white-haired grandma do I have to kill to get DSL? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

[Rink]

Hey doc move to liberal Portland Oregon and you too can have your choice between DSL and Cable!!

At least Portland OR, isnt AS bad as where you live at, all ya need to do is know how to deal with the clueless brain-dead rich-as-hell yuppies thats all /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

[nosferatuscoffin]

[ QUOTE ]
DoctorDoom said:
[ QUOTE ]
DSL Reports is a great site and one I highly recommend, especially for broadband modem and router problems.

[/ QUOTE ]
Whose saintly, white-haired grandma do I have to kill to get DSL? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Bah. Mr .28.8 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Rink]

hey! Hey dont rub it in Nos!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon20.gif

[nosferatuscoffin]

He is Galt...The Mr. Dr. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[DoctorDoom]

Be careful how you speak to the Master Thrall. The Providers are listening. No more quatloos for you.

[Rink]

Aw damn there goes the neighborhood!!!!