End of Windows XP SP1 support today
The another milestone to make Windows XP totally dominant operating system has been made: For all the Windows XP users out there that have been refusing to upgrade to Service Pack 2, today is the day support ends for any version of the operating system still running Service Pack 1. Microsoft has gone well beyond what it has stated is an acceptable support time for service packs. In the past, it has said it will support an operating system for a full 5 years after release and service packs for 12 months after the release of the next service pack. Service Pack 1 has been supported for two years; SP2 was released in September 2004.
Those unsure which Service Pack they are running can check by right clicking on their “My Computer” shortcut and selecting the Properties option. The Service Pack version should be listed under the “System” heading on the window that pops up. Updating to Service Pack 2 is free and best done via the Windows Update. Microsoft also released a bunch of new patches through Windows Update today, after some server issues, which caused quite a long delay in updating. The dominance of Win XP with SP2 is totally clear - after all, you need this system for installing the majority of new games, as the older OS aren’t usually supported…
Microsoft can support my nuts. I still refuse to use SP2. I have never needed Microsoft’s support for anything and I don’t see a need for their help anytime in the future either.
saddly, running windows, they came force to to depend on the need of SP2. OF course there are ways around it, but its going to limit you in ways.
Beautifully said Syntax. Had you not said that I like to think I would have, if I could have thought of it.
Moving on, Service pack 2 is a nauseating “security focused” upgrade. This means essentially that it limits your computer’s ability to be comprimised, while unfortunately at the same time it is limiting your computer’s ability period.
Most of us understand that good security is not a ‘product’ or an ‘upgrade’, rather it’s a process. Not downloading “exe’s” on p2p networks, for example, is good security. No amount of SP2 is gonna save you from your own stupidity.
Microsoft can service my nuts.
You guys are idiots. Its because of your mentality that virus’ like Blaster and Zotob, both of which could have been prevented had users applied Microsoft’s patches in a timely manner, compromised millions of computers. Im not saying I support Microsofts stance on security, but saying that you refuse to update your system for no other reason than ‘you don’t need to’ is plain stupid…. And how does a software company go around servicing one’s nuts?
Just put then on a plate and service it to you.
Soon we will have a lemon law suit filed against M$. Since they have not fixed the security flaws NT/2000/XP in a reasonable time and instead abandoned them for Vista which is the same thing with some new graphics. We will all get our money back!!!
Quote: Bob “Its because of your mentality that virus’ like Blaster and Zotob, both of which could have been prevented had users applied Microsoft’s patches in a timely manner, compromised millions of computers.”
Patching Windows doesn’t prevent the spread of virus or other malware infections. I haven’t had any of my computers compromised in any way in at least 2 years now, so there’s no way I’m responsible for the spread of infections in any way.
You want a secure Windows system? Quit using IE & Outlook, block both apps in your firewall (in & out), switch to Firefox & Thunderbird, use a custom Hosts file & a good internet security app (anything but Norton), diable NetBios in Windows & block the following ports in your firewall (in & out): 135,137-139,445,515,593,1433 & 1434.
If you really want to make sure IE is crippled, you can set everything in all 4 of it’s security zones to “disabled”. This will effectively break IE so even if it still had net access, it couldn’t do anything.
Also, disable the following services: Remote Desktop, NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing, Universal Plug-n-Play Host, Remote Access Auto Connection Manager, Remote Access Connection Manager, Remote Desktop Help Session Manager, Remote Registry, Routing & Remote Access, SSDP Discovery Service, & TCP/IP NetBios Helper, and just for fun, the Automatic Update service to keep MS from screwing with your custom config.
Never depend on Microsoft to secure your system, they can’t secure their own software. They are still finding holes in XP SP2 that they can trace all the way back to Win98.
Also, always remember that no amount of security will protect you from yourself.
Hey, anything that might make the noobs stop themselves from fucking up their computers and spreading viruses (ooh, a funny picture from someone I don’t know! and it’s an exe file! sounds good!) is fine by me.
As long as you play it smart, you can avoid bad things happening to your system.
Hell, if they made games for Linux (major titles, not shit like Tux Racer :P), I’d be using that in a jiffy.
use xp sp2 without any problem, but when i had xp without any sp packs i also did not have any problem and never use their assistance, why should I? system updates itself…
I dont understand why anyone would still be running sp1 anyway? What are people afraid of? What harm does the security center do anyway?
Are people such noobs they cant work out how to turn off alerts if required? m$ should of stopped supporting sp1 the day the released sp2 IMO.
SP2 slows my system down. That’s the biggest reason I refuse to install it. When it first came out, I was like so many others out there and immediately installed it. Nothing worked right afterward. It broke my network and prevented all of my cd/dvd ripping and burning apps from working, as well as slowed my system down bigtime. Also, SP2 doesn’t really provide any security as we can all see by the massive number of patches MS has released since. SP1 never had so many holes in it. SP2 actually made more.
I recently tried SP2 again, this time integrated into an XP cd with all updates integrated as well and my system was still slowed down horribly. I went right back to SP1 and I’m happy with it.
My windows config is nearly identical to the robust setup posted by Syntax above, and I’m also extremely happy with it. Of all the hardware I’ve replaced in the two years I’ve had this rig, the one thing that has been consistent is my windows security. Now honestly it’s still windows, meaning security is often exagerrated - but anything that happens is truly my fault, thanks to IE being all but removed, among other gaping security issues. Combining that with SP1 integrated and a hardware firewall will make you as secure as windows gets.
Unfortunately most users leave windows untouched, and combined with an overall ignorance to internet threats, they seek all the functionality and entertainment of the web, without knowing the risks and taking the precautions. For those people, sp2 is better than no sp2 as a blind security blanket is very useful indeed. It’s us guys that host a 24/7 fileserver, play many many different games, and constantly come up with new uses for our computers that are held back by a ‘blind security blanket’ such as SP2. Not too mention the fact it often doesn’t ‘cover’ windows nicely the first try.
In conclusion if you’re like most microsoft customers and are blissfully ignorant of security precautions while you check your email, chat on msn and watch youtube - then you better cover yourself up with the blanket. On the other hand if you’re an enthusiast such as myself or Syntax, you no doubt agree with me when I simply want microsoft to “get off me!”.
Jay out.
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Macs for productivity. Unix for Stability. Windows for Solitaire.
Syntax it probably would of done initially if you hadn’t done a clean install before installing SP2.
With a clean load SP2 works fine for me and has never caused the system to slow down, maybe you have a underlying problem with your system? I have administered SP2 over 100’s of computers and none of them had the problems you describe.
Hail Microsoft!.