After installing this lates "Update" from Microsoft I found that I was unable to use the internet for more than 30 seconds!! Now that I have removed it everything is fine again... seems they have proved me right about their incompetence once again. HAs anyone else had trouble after installing the service pack?

YES, I've been trying to get this ()*#^$(&^ laptop at work to work for two days now. Full rant later when I actually finish.

I haven't had the experience yet but just ordered the CD hopefully by then I can come back to this post and find some answers. Good luck

I tried reinstalling it and this tim it not only disbled my internet but also made "MY Computer" inaccessable. I had already reinstalled Window because I thought this problem was caused by a virus. Again, once I uninstalled the update everything was working fine again. I would advise everyone to steer clear of it...

I've not had problems with service pack 2. My XP system runs a bit smoother with it installed.
However...
I know a great many that have had problems after installing one of the service packs. I recommend not installing them unless your system is having issues with the standard installation of XP. Just keep all the critical updates and such up to date.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130&product=windowsxpsp2

I like my programs & system running as it is thanks.

WTFG MICROSHAFT!

It was supposed to fix issues, not stop things working, cause more conflicts/issues.

/never installed it

However...
http://members.microsoft.com/partner/products/windows/windowsxp/sp2windowsupdate.aspx

That is cheeky.

But to be fair, Microsoft is running on a limited budget... :-P

haha, now thats the best one liner I have heard in a while.

Microsoft is a good example of why they still wont allow computer scientists to be called engineers.

www.netwerkin.com
Lots of security people hang here and a good site for help with this kind of thing.

Thank goodness after the update every thing still works. I had to reset my Norton Firewall but that was the only thing. Now watch because I ran my mouth I am going to have problems. *smile*

Just thought I'd through my 2 cents in - Tried to load service pack 2 - (twice) and both times it crashed. Luckily I had someone to fix it, they did a systems restore, luckily because they had advised me to have XP Professional. This allows for errors to be fixed in "safe Mode" which apparently you can't use in Home Edition. I have to say - the amount of trouble I've had, my next machine will be a mac - just so I don't have to put up with all the *@#% from a microshaft product!!!! Hope this helps.

I got mine to work eventually, after re installing Windows twice... my next machine is going to be a Mac too, but I had already decided that before this debacle.

there are several operating systems for pcs, i dont see how not liking windows is a good reason to change hardware. just my thoughts, oh well

Well - I've tried linux - It's that I've seen first hand how smoothly macs work, they just don't have the troubles and compatability blah blah blah problems. Not being a techhead (don't wish to be one) I just want a reliable machine - never wanted a mac for the sake of it or the design as I am more interested in what it can do. So I can be left alone to do what I love best!!!

The SP2 isn't set to fix problems, it's to fix security risks...so any firewalls, etc you may have may need to be updated or reworked. Similarly out of all my friends it seems that XP Professional is the only one not patching that well...Home seems to be doing well in that regard...curious to see if that really is a true statement...?

No OS is perfect. All os's have their own different pros and cons...do not expect all your worries to go away if you just change OS'es.

I have home edition. It certainly screwed that up rather efficiantly.

Service pack 2 Is just as bad as the rest of XP. It just doesn’t work with it's own operating system at all.
It amasses me how Bill Gates can make billions on something that really doesn’t work.

I dont think that windows can be faulted onto bill gates any longer.

I'm running XP Pro, have the update and everything is just spiffy. No problems since the update

I have XP Pro - and have Zone Alarm Pro as a firewall, could this be affecting the SP2? I think Bill Gates may not get all the fault - but should he be getting money for such a faulty product? If someone sold you a new car and the wheel fell off and it leaked petrol, would you accept "just take this kit and fix it!!!!"

There are alot of people involved with the developement of microsoft windows. There are alot more people who reap the rewards. Not just bill gates. I dont even believe hes involved with R&D anymore.

I'm a bit old fashioned, But the person who owns the company - is ultimately responsible for the quality of the products it delivers to a PAYING public. He is responsible whether he pushes the buttons or not. As chief Software Architect he probably still has some say. Should the manager of a store let his loading dock look like a disaster zone, simply because he doesn't unload the truck? He and others make huge amounts of money and deliver a sub-standard product. Simple as that. I shouldn't have to become a software engineer to just keep my machine working, and frankly, I don't want to. That's why I paid money for someone else to do it!!! (And we accept that? We accept constant 'security patches'?) 8-|

I have 3 machines at home. A powerbook, hand built PC and a laptop running a dual Linux and Win XP Pro config. I've also used unix professionally and I guess we all need to remember a few basic things.

Firstly the computers today, whatever variety are fantastic, Win XP is a great operating system. However the basic problem is whether Bill Gates or for that matter anyone else had started MS, the same basic issues in the design philosophy of the operating system and the hardware that accompanies it would probably still be present. Layer hardware on top of hardware and similarly for software creates a tower of babel.

Secondly we can all discuss the relatively issues around Win XP not working but remember you are using one of the most complex machines in existence, the very fact they turn and stay on is a marvel.

Thirdly, you kind of get what you pay for, crap equipment , crap outcome.

My advise is if you have XP home ( Pro is the better product) then unless you have your machine backup , be careful. Otherwise go for it.

And to answer the obvious question the Mac is my favourite, and I not some creative type. They are serious machines that DO NOT break down and are so much secure then Win PCs its sad.

mythica, i'm not claming windows is good. it crashes bi-weekly on my pc. I'm just saying that the blame needs to be spread. Moneywise, microsoft is a corporation, bill gates doesnt have sole ownership. Computer Science wise. Windows is designed and maintained by a very large team (probably can be refered to as a network now), which I dont think bill gates is closely involved with any longer.

If you like analogies. It'd be like going to TCBY and asking the person on duty to make you an ice cream with m&ms, paying for it, and walking away to find out once you start eating it that you got snickers instead. Then taking your ice cream to the President of TCBY corporation and trying to get him to return it, or make you another.

They should all be blamed. It was a big group screw up, mainly on the part of microsoft's software "engineers" involved. If anything bill gates and associates should be praised for their business skillz in being able to actually get away with selling such a crappy product.

I use XP Pro. I don’t have any security problems because I don’t use Microsoft Internet programs. The way to a secure XP Home or Pro is to turn off Active X and web integration. Then use any browser other than Internet Explorer and use any e-mail client that doesn’t have outlook in its name. If you do that you won’t need to update your system ever. You do need a good firewall, Kerio, Outpost, Sygate and Zone Alarm are all good.