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Windows XP SP2: Delayed (Again)
by Arie Slob
Hello Windows users,
Yes, it is happening again. Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, which Microsoft had previously said would be out in June, is going to be delayed. Press reports state that Microsoft has delayed the service pack till July, but I know that internally there's already talk that it will most likely be August before SP2 will be released, and possibly later!
Now, some people are all getting exited about this, and I agree, it has taken WAY to long for Microsoft to come out with this service pack.
The first delays occurred because Microsoft decided that SP2 should have a whole set of new security features. This is of course a good thing. The latest delays are caused because SP2 is breaking some software functionality with Microsoft products (would they have delayed it if the problems would have been with other developer's products?). Apparently ASP.NET & Visual Studio 2003 are among some of the products having problems, but there are also reports of Outlook 2003 & Outlook Express "hang-ups" when opening messages.
Lets just hope that Microsoft does a thorough job in beta testing this Service Pack, and will only release it if they are confident that it is "good to go", and not because of some arbitrary date that was set by someone.
SP2 for Windows XP will most likely be causing problems for some users. There's no way around it. You cannot test for all the variations in software & hardware installed on users systems, but Microsoft should take its time to minimize it as much as possible.
SP2 for Windows XP is a very important update in terms of security, so the last thing it needs is a bad reputation of messing up a users computer experience, which would hamper its acceptation.
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Security
Microsoft has been made aware of a worm identified as W32.Sasser.worm and it is currently circulating on the Internet. The worm exploits the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) vulnerability fixed in Microsoft Security Update MS04-011 on April 13, 2004.
Microsoft encourages customers to protect themselves against this worm by installing Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 immediately.
If you are running Windows XP SP2 RC1, you are protected. Security updates from MS04-011, MS04-012, MS04-013, MS04-014 are included in the RC1 code.
Microsoft have also released a Sasser.A and Sasser.B Worm Removal Tool.
Recent Support BBS Postings
Poll: Have you ever used Microsoft's Tech Support
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Guidance needed in purchasing (and later) installing more RAM - Hardware
Can I suppress printing of recipients in OE? - Outlook Express
Win 2000 SP update via group policy - Windows 2000 / 2003
Recommended Web sites
Each month we will feature a few Web sites here, ones which sent us the most visitors to our Web site in the previous month. We would encourage you to visit these popular Web sites yourself!
Here are some sites in the Top 15 for April 2004:
Vnunet.com - UK technology news, reviews & downloads.
MSFN - Microsoft Software Forum Network.
Dslreports.com - Broadband Reports.com Forum.
OcUK - Overclockers UK Forums.
The Top 15 sites are listed on our Web site.
Web Site Updates
These pages were added/updated in the past week. Information on previously updated/added pages is available on the What's New? page for 1 month.
Windows-Help.NET
Updated: Remove Advertising from MSN Messenger
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Highlights
Newsletter Delay
I'm sorry for getting the Newsletter out late this week. But there where some teething problems with a Web server roll-out I did at the end of last week, which took a lot of my time.
I hope to get back to my regular schedule this week.
Enterprise Deployment of Secure Wired Networks Using Microsoft Windows
This document describes how to deploy secure wired access with IEEE 802.1X authentication using authenticating switches, wired client computers running Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows 2000, and a wired authentication infrastructure consisting of Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Active Directory directory service domain controllers, certification authorities, and Internet Authentication Service servers.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
Download [281 KB - Word Doc]
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Recommend this Newsletter!
Microsoft unveils new antipiracy tools
Microsoft has released details of a long-delayed update to its content protection technology, offering new features aimed at bringing piracy-proof digital content to mobile devices and home networks.
Read C|Net Article
FREE Software: LDB ClockXP 2.00 Beta 2
Desktop alarm-clock with the user-friendly interface. Beautiful user interface, flexible adjustments and powerful scheduler is combined with simplicity of usage.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows XP
Download [1.16 MB]
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1 May 2004, Vol 7 No. 14
