Re: <<< XP sp2 info >>>

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From: Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] (lanwench_at_heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmail.atyahoo.com)
Date: 08/07/04 

Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2004 15:58:14 -0400

I think I prefer the typo...what's the appropriate collective noun for a
bunch of geek?

Susan Bradley, CPA aka Ebitz - SBS Rocks [MVP] wrote:
> Should have been "geeks" :-)
>
> Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] wrote:
>> Is the plural of "geek" really "geek"? Like "fish" or "blueberry
>> danish" ?
>>
>> Susan Bradley, CPA aka Ebitz - SBS Rocks [MVP] wrote:
>>
>>> Well with all of us geek yanking down sp2 what do you expect? ;-)
>>>
>>> Frank McCallister wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Susan
>>>>
>>>> Thanks. That's what it was. That is first corrupt download I have
>>>> had from MS that I can remember.
>>>>
>>>> Frank
>>>> "Susan Bradley, CPA aka Ebitz - SBS Rocks [MVP]"
>>>> <sbradcpa@pacbell.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:OmrgMtJfEHA.140@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Pull it down again. Sounds like the file didn't get pulled down
>>>>> properly.
>>>>>
>>>>> Frank McCallister wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Susan
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Like you I have been running SP2 since RC1 and love it. I held
>>>>>> off on the SBS upgrade until this morning when I installed RTM
>>>>>> from Beta site. When I run the Upgrade I get ".... is nat a
>>>>>> valid Win32 application" Any ideas?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Frank McCallister
>>>>>> COMPUMAC
>>>>>> "Susan Bradley, CPA aka Ebitz - SBS Rocks [MVP]"
>>>>>> <sbradcpa@pacbell.net> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:%23Yp6j%23EfEHA.2440@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is it out yet?
>>>>>>> Yes. To beta testers at this time. Should be on the Download
>>>>>>> site on Monday:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://blogs.msdn.com/mswanson/archive/2004/08/06/210345.aspx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The release to manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows XP Service
>>>>>>> Pack 2 is now available for download via MSDN Subscriber
>>>>>>> Downloads. The CD ISO image weighs in at 475.35MB.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you’d rather let Windows Update automatically install it,
>>>>>>> visit this page to ensure that your Internet Connection Firewall
>>>>>>> and Automatic Update settings are configured correctly. I don’t
>>>>>>> think it’s available through Windows Update quite yet, but
>>>>>>> enabling these features will allow your computer to download it
>>>>>>> as soon as it’s posted.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is a fantastic release with a lot of new security features.
>>>>>>> I’ve been running various builds of SP2 over the past few
>>>>>>> months, and I’ve loved every minute of it. The pop-up blocker
>>>>>>> is a very welcome addition, the much improved firewall is easy
>>>>>>> to configure, and I find that I don’t have nearly as much
>>>>>>> spyware finding its way onto my computer. Some of the areas
>>>>>>> that have been improved are: network protection, memory
>>>>>>> protection, safer e-mail handling, enhanced browsing security,
>>>>>>> and improved computer maintenance.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> From a customer-ready e-mail that is being sent out:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am pleased to inform you that Windows XP Service Pack 2
>>>>>>> released to manufacturing on Friday August 6, 2004. Windows XP
>>>>>>> Service Pack 2 contains major security improvements designed to
>>>>>>> provide better protection against hackers, viruses, and worms.
>>>>>>> Windows XP Service Pack 2 also improves the manageability of the
>>>>>>> security features in Windows XP and provides more and better
>>>>>>> information to help users make decisions that may potentially
>>>>>>> affect their security and privacy.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Monday, August 9, 2004, the full network installation package
>>>>>>> for Windows XP Server Pack 2 will be posted on the Windows XP
>>>>>>> Service Pack 2 site on Microsoft TechNet
>>>>>>> (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/winxpsp2). This site is also
>>>>>>> the best resource for accessing the most up-to-date technical
>>>>>>> information regarding Windows XP Service Pack 2.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On-line distribution will be the primary distribution vehicle
>>>>>>> for Windows XP Service Pack 2 and below is a summary of the key
>>>>>>> milestones of the distribution plan:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 8/6 Release to manufacturing
>>>>>>> 8/9 Release to Microsoft Download Center (network installation
>>>>>>> package) 8/9 Release to MSDN subscription site (CD ISO image)
>>>>>>> 8/10 Release to Automatic Updates (for machines running
>>>>>>> pre-release versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2 only)
>>>>>>> 8/16 Release to Automatic Updates (for machines NOT running
>>>>>>> pre-releases versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2)
>>>>>>> 8/16 Release to Software Update Services
>>>>>>> Later in August Release to Windows Update for interactive user
>>>>>>> installations
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Because of the significant security improvements outlined above,
>>>>>>> Microsoft views Windows XP Service Pack 2 as an essential
>>>>>>> security update and is therefore distributing it as a “critical
>>>>>>> update” via Windows Update (WU) and the Automatic Updates (AU)
>>>>>>> delivery mechanism in Windows. Microsoft is strongly urging
>>>>>>> customers with Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1-based
>>>>>>> systems to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 as soon as
>>>>>>> possible.
>>>>>>> --------------------------------
>>>>>>> What do we SBSers need to do specifically?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you want to be able to enable the firewall INSIDE your
>>>>>>> networks, install
>>>>>>>
>>
>>
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d70097c2-4317-40e0-b7da-feb52c6b6386
>>
>>>>>>> This update enables and configures the Windows Firewall in
>>>>>>> Windows XP Service Pack 2 on Windows Small Business Server 2003
>>>>>>> networks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ONLY install this after you have at least one machine in the
>>>>>>> office at XP sp2 RTM as the group policy will no longer be able
>>>>>>> to be edited from the server until this is released:
>>>>>>> 842933 - "The following entry in the [strings] section is too
>>>>>>> long and has been truncated" error message when you try to
>>>>>>> modify or to view GPOs in Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or
>>>>>>> Windows 2000: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=842933
>>>>>>> [I called about 2 hours ago and they are working on the 2k3
>>>>>>> version]
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -------------------------------
>>>>>>> More reading on this
>>>>>>>
>>
>>
http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/9/a/79a88f49-5a0f-42f8-b6bb-63939752fb80/SBS_XPSP2.DOC
>>
>>>>>>> --------------------------------
>>>>>>> What if I do nothing?
>>>>>>> Then the firewall will be disabled inside the network and while
>>>>>>> the active X and pop up blocking will be in place, the internal
>>>>>>> firewall blocking will not.
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------
>>>>>>> What's the most impact I will see if I install this?
>>>>>>> Quite frankly on my desktop at the office where I have been
>>>>>>> running the RC2 candidate, none of my applications have been
>>>>>>> affected in any way, shape or form. The install does take a bit
>>>>>>> of time [its a 200+kb file and ensure that you archive the bits
>>>>>>> when installing. Once it installs the first screen up will look
>>>>>>> a bit text-installer like and then it will ask you if you want
>>>>>>> to enable auto update. First screen
>>>>>>> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/reviews/xp_sp2_02_01.gif
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------
>>>>>>> What's this I hear about the security center?
>>>>>>> This is kewl as it monitors your patch level, your firewall
>>>>>>> status and your antivirus level. It will know that Trend SMB is
>>>>>>> loaded and alert you if it might be out of date. Symantec
>>>>>>> doesn't at this time but the patch is expected soon. Etrust
>>>>>>> needs to be on the latest and greatest engine/client to work
>>>>>>> properly. Looks like this [obviously Paul's wasn't fully
>>>>>>> enabled]
>>>>>>> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/reviews/xp_sp2_02_02.gif
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------
>>>>>>> What the pop up blocker and active x blocker do?
>>>>>>> I see the most impact for me on business web sites like
>>>>>>> www.bankofamerica.com where we had to manually add the web site
>>>>>>> and the site it "launches off to" when making tax payments
>>>>>>> electronically so we could get page properly.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When you get to a page that the IE blocks some possible harmful
>>>>>>> scripting and you need to enable it [like the first time you go
>>>>>>> to Remote Web Workplace after installation] the IE info tool bar
>>>>>>> will let you know what to do:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://blogs.msdn.com/tonyschr/archive/2004/06/15/156787.aspx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The pop up manager can be adjusted as well and looks like this:
>>>>>>>
>>
>>
http://msdn.microsoft.com/security/productinfo/XPSP2/securebrowsing/popupmanager.aspx
>>
>> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/reviews/xp_sp2_ie_pop-up-blocker.gif
>>
>>>>>>> ----------------------------
>>>>>>> What about the firewall? Won't it stop programs?
>>>>>>> If you are running with local admin rights the programs should
>>>>>>> just poke their own holes through without issue
>>>>>>> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/reviews/xp_sp2_security_alert.gif
>>>>>>> One thing to check [and unfortunately I can't here at home] On
>>>>>>> my original test of RC1 I had to manually make a port
>>>>>>> exception for tcp 27529 for Trend to pick up the dat file
>>>>>>> updates [SMB suite] I've heard
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> from other folks that later builds did not need this manual
>>>>>>> adjustment.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If someone else newly installing this can let me know if this is
>>>>>>> true, I'd appreciate it.
>>>>>>> ---------------------------------
>>>>>>> What about SBS 2000? Doesn't it need a patch too?
>>>>>>> No, the firewall and everything on the XP sp2 client will work
>>>>>>> independently of the server and you won't need to adjust any
>>>>>>> group policy to make anything work.
>>>>>>> -------------------------------
>>>>>>> The biggest impact in my office?
>>>>>>> On the four machines that are running the sp2, I've had to let
>>>>>>> folks know how to add a web site to the trusted site zone to
>>>>>>> enable scripting when needed and to add sites to the pop up tool
>>>>>>> bar.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As I've posted in my blog:
>>>>>>> http://msmvps.com/bradley/archive/2004/08/04/11232.aspx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "I haven't met a web site yet that I couldn't get to work with
>>>>>>> XP sp2. Now mind you I'm adding a few to my “trusted site zone“
>>>>>>> settings with my handy dandy Trusted site tool bar add in that
>>>>>>> works on XP sp2, IE 6 [I'm starting to sound like a broken
>>>>>>> record but I'll post it again]
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/previous/webaccess/pwrtwks.mspx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ooh and BobP posted in another example at
>>>>>>> http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/programs.asp?Program=Trust%20Setter
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------
>>>>>>> How soon should I be rolling this out to clients?
>>>>>>> Of course, after you test it. But I can say it's been very
>>>>>>> stable for me. Call your clients and inform them that if they
>>>>>>> are still on 98, this is the time to get off that platform and
>>>>>>> get on a OS that is much much better built for spyware and
>>>>>>> malware protection
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As always, these are my personal opinions, your mileage may
>>>>>>> vary.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> http://www.sbslinks.com/really.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> http://www.sbslinks.com/really.htm