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MOP
04-07-2005, 10:52 PM
Well not really but you will lose the ability to update any MS stuff read on!

This is a cut & paste from a tech letter I get weekly, it is written by Fred Langa one of the original Windows Magazine Techies. It has some excellent tips and other info on fixing problems, some of you may wish to subscribe. As far as XP SP2 it is a 266 MB down load, on a slow connection it can take many hours, you may want to beg,borrow or steal a copy from someone. As they say you can avoid the download but is it worth it?

Phil

Hi Fred, Not to have you second guess other pundits opinions,
but this person alleges that on April 12th, Microsoft will
"force feed" all XP SP1 users who have not migrated to SP2 to
receive SP2, if it was blocked using some "existing blocking
software."

Are you aware if this is actually possible? ---Bob

Yes, they can do that, sort of, but there's nothing new going on, and
it's nowhere near as bad as some would have you believe. The plan, which
has been in the works for a long time, is posted here:
http://langa.com/u/8p.htm

Here's what's going on: Microsoft has been pilloried for years for
producing software riddled with security flaws, to the detriment of the
entire online world. Microsoft eventually corrects its software's flaws
in service packs and updates. But if people don't install the service
packs and updates, then the flaws persist, the entire online world
suffers, and Microsoft remains the bad guy because its software is still
causing problems.

So, Microsoft is trying to nudge its customers to install the necessary
service packs and updates. But then they're pilloried as the Big Bad
Bully who's making people do things they don't want to....

It's not easy to feel sympathy for Microsoft, but I actually do in this
case: They can't win, either way.

That said, Microsoft still won't "force" anyone to upgrade on or after
April 12th: If you don't want the SP2 upgrade, just don't go to
WindowsUpdate, and don't let your PC update automatically.

Of course, by avoiding WindowsUpdate, you also won't get any other
patches and updates; and that's the "carrot" that MS can offer: If you
want to stay with XP SP1, that's fine, but you're on your own. If you
want access to any of the WindowsUpdate services with XP, you'll have to
upgrade to SP2. It's your choice.

It seems a reasonable position to me. You don't *have* to upgrade--- but
it'd be smart to do so. SP2 is actually pretty good, and does fix many
security problems. See our past coverage of SP2 at
http://langa.com/u/8m.htm

boxy
04-08-2005, 08:13 AM
Phil, paint thinner, red wine, and dark rum are a bad combination....
I don't think it says you will lose the ability to upgrade your self, all it says is Microsoft is trying to get everyone who bitches about security problems to upgrade the latest service pack, to correct those flaws.

Damn, I need a shower now, I'm shilling for the big M ..... :D

MrsDigger
04-08-2005, 11:26 AM
As much as I think Bill Gates & Co. need a swift, hard kick in the pills, I would encourage anyone running XP to upgrade. I ran the upgrade when it first came out, over a year ago, and it did stop a lot of the lockups that XP was prone to. It also has some nifty features.

MOP
04-08-2005, 07:40 PM
I found it hard to believe but below right from the MS site, it is a read and weep!

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx