Re: XP SP2 - Statement of the NTBugtraq list

From: Dan Houtz (dhoutz_at_ADVANCEDINTERFACES.COM)
Date: 08/12/04

  • Next message: Scott Millsap: "XP SP2 Possible conflict with ODBC Adminstrator->Text-Based Drivers" 
    Date:         Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:10:16 -0400
To: NTBUGTRAQ@LISTSERV.NTBUGTRAQ.COM

    After installing SP2 to my workstation last night, I must say that I am very pleased at this point. The installation went flawlessly - despite a long wait for my desktop to appear after the initial reboot (had me on the edge of my seat for a bit, but eventually every thing loaded up).

    Upon boot up, AIM loaded and I was notified by the Windows firewall that it was attempting to bind to a port. I choose to continue blocking the port and AIM loaded and functioned as expected. Windows, by default left access open to File and Printer Sharing and Remote Desktop and I was able to connect to my system remotely. Authentication to Active Directory was also successful. All applications I have tested seem to work properly though sometimes you are prompted when they attempt to bind to a port (it's actually nice to know when certain programs attempt to bind to a port). I am continuing to test different applications, but so far so good.

    Next was to test the IE pop-blocker and other security changes. To do this I browsed warez sites for about an hour. I'm happy to report that I had no pop-ups and no spyware/malware installed when I was done. I had to check to make sure I hadn't opened firefox. Also, I like Microsoft's new Add-in manager which allows you to see what IE plug-ins are installed and enable/disable them. It would have been nice for Microsoft to include an option to remove/uninstall the plugins but perhaps I'm just being nit-picky. I would say testing of IE needs more time but so far, so good.

    Despite all the talk of security improvements with SP2, I was very pleased to find my system performing better. From what I have read some of this can be attributed to most of the system being recompiled with VS.Net. Today's early morning test was to install bluetooth and sync my mobile phone. This went flawlessly which is great considering I gave up trying to get bluetooth working correctly on SP1.

    At this point I'm prepping to install SP2 on a Toshiba Centrino based laptop. This will allow me to test the changed Microsoft made to the Windows Wireless configuration tools. I have my fingers crossed that everything will go well and in a week or so I can distribute SP2 to all our workstations via SUS.

    Forgot to add that I did find a problem with MSBA. When selecting to print a report, it appears to fail. When looking closer, I found that another window opened that wasn't viewable - I had to right click on it on the taskbar a select "Maximize". Then, in the new windows choose to Allow the ActiveX control. After doing this, the print dialogue box appeared and everything worked.

    Dan Houtz
    Manager of Networks & Systems
    Advanced Interfaces, Inc.
    www.advancedinterfaces.com

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  • Next message: Scott Millsap: "XP SP2 Possible conflict with ODBC Adminstrator->Text-Based Drivers"