XP SP2 - You Can Run, But You Can't Hide

[fmfan]

What's New Now
By Jim Louderback
Sept. 9, 2004

That's Microsoft's message to Windows users everywhere. Even if you've installed the XP SP2 blocking tool, which prevents desktops from automatically updating to the new Windows version, it won't last forever. There's a built-in deadline, when the software will simply stop working. We let you know when the blocker will stop working, and why.

www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1643925,00.asp

Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Microsoft Sets a New Deadline for XP Service Pack 2
By Mary Jo Foley

The company's automatic blocking tool for SP2 will only work until April 2005. After that, Microsoft will push its security update automatically to all XP customers.

On Tuesday, Microsoft began notifying customers that it has established new deadlines regarding how long they will be able to block Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) from downloading automatically to their systems.
...
Microsoft noted the change in its patch-blocking dates on its TechNet IT portal Web site, as well as in a note it sent to corporate customers via e-mail.
...
Even though Microsoft has deemed SP2 a "critical" update, some corporate and home users have been leery to install it. Microsoft has acknowledged that a number of applications, including several of its own, do not work properly with SP2 unless certain settings are changed. And a number of third-party hardware and software vendors still have yet to provide patches and updates to their products that will allow them to work with SP2.
...
Microsoft has said there are an estimated 300 million XP users. This fall, Microsoft will be reaching out to this user base via its "Protect Your PC" campaign, in an attempt to make sure as many XP users as possible install the SP2 update.

[fmnewbee]

will my computer go dead then?

"The company's automatic blocking tool for SP2 will only work until April 2005. After that, Microsoft will push its security update automatically to all XP customers. "

But if one never contact them why would it stop to work?

Is that date already in my softwre now. could I not postpone it forever?

Trew

[The Dude]

I think thats CRAP!!!!!

Trying to force you to update!!!!!!!!!

Just disable auto update and DONT UPDATE,that should w3rk for ya also

[xbot]

Originally posted by The Dude
I think thats CRAP!!!!!

Trying to force you to update!!!!!!!!!

Just disable auto update and DONT UPDATE,that should w3rk for ya also

Aye, but in the future, some software might require SP2. And even then, when you go to update online via IE, there's no guarantee they won't just force it upon you then.

[fmfan]

Originally posted by xbot
... And even then, when you go to update online via IE, there's no guarantee they won't just force it upon you then.

From some reading, sounds exactly what the case will be - the position as of now.

[teacher]

Let's face it, when anyone one goes to buy a new PC with Windows, it's going to be there.

[ROBERT.BAK]

And some people wonder why Linux is becoming increasingly popular.

[fmnewbee]

Bill Gates will own all of us that si for sure

But HP do sell some computers with Linux now but will not all the sueing kill Linux. One need a totally independent os that is not built on other tech.

Is that even possible?

I've set it now to not do updates.

But as you all know. some patch in future will be needed adn maybe they scan for people not having update and tell the ISP to deactivate us who have SP1 due to us being too vulnerable.

Same policy as our ISP not allowing us to have the smtp or independent email servers. We are forced to use our ISP's own server via their smtprelay here at home to get control over hijacked computers.

So the future look like boxed in to the only big company that survived the competition. Who would have thought soo when al lfo us loved Netscape during 1996 or so.

IE was a joke to us then and mow it has the 90% or more

[fmfan]

^

Do wonder what's going to happen with lawsuits over unix code lines in linux
- mostly due to lack of linux code documentation from very early-on, i.e. even Linus.

Can't hide from those SCO, Novell, IBM, on and on lawyers either. If only all had kept better records suit would at least be less messy and outcome known sooner than later.

[Killer]

Originally posted by ROBERT.BAK
And some people wonder why Linux is becoming increasingly popular.

But in the long run, people will need to run other softwares that only mean for Win OS.

[SusanUKF]

Should I install it or not, I don't really know what to do!!

One of my friends did and his pc has been really messed up since then....

So -- I just do not know whether I should take the chance or not!!

Susan.

[Killer]

I have installed it. The feature I like is the ability to stop those illegal ActiveX codes from running!

[SusanUKF]

If I install it, do you think that it will do anything weird to the pc?? We need active X for our Gmail accounts...

Susan.

[Killer]

Originally posted by SusanUKF
If I install it, do you think that it will do anything weird to the pc?? We need active X for our Gmail accounts...

Susan.

You have the option to enable them for that website if you are sure it is ok. For sites we are not familar like those spyware type of sites, their tricks are mostly blocked.

[SusanUKF]

Okay, great! Thanks Killer...

Susan.