Windows XP Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 2 impressions<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Introduction<o:p></o:p> Today I will be giving all of you my impressions of Windows XP SP2 as well as the benefits and new features added to Windows XP with this new Service Pack.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Installation<o:p></o:p> The network release of SP2 comes in at 264mb, much bigger than the 133mb of the SP1a network install. Included amongst all the updates is a revamped firewall, pop-up blocking for Internet Explorer, wireless network setup, and a <st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> which keeps you protected and combines all the security options into a small easy to use GUI. <o:p></o:p>
Installing is fairly easy, as long as you have a legitimate copy of Windows XP Home, Professional, or Corporate, without a modified bootscreen (ntoskrnl.exe) or log-in screen. After downloading and starting it gives you the run of the mill software agreement and shortly after starts installing. It took me about 15-20 minutes to install on my Pentium 4 2.4c overclocked to 3GHz with 512mb of RAM. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Control Panel<o:p></o:p>
When navigating into the Control Panel, you will notice a host of new icons and things you can use, from a <st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> to Wireless Network Setup.<o:p></o:p>
Network Setup Wizard<o:p></o:p>
Although already built into XP, a handy icon shortcut to the wizard<o:p></o:p>
makes life easier when it comes to wired networking.<o:p></o:p> Wireless Network Setup Wizard<o:p></o:p>
A new feature to the Windows XP environment which makes wireless networking quite simple.<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p>
A handy little GUI that combines all of the elements of securing the Windows OS into an easy to use menu.<o:p></o:p>
Automatic Updates<o:p></o:p>
Although already integrated into the System properties, an icon has been added to the Control Panel to a revamped GUI.<o:p></o:p>
Windows Firewall<o:p></o:p>
A revamped version of the built in firewall that is much more professional and has made it much more secure.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
I will now go into detail on all of the new effects, except the Network Setup Wizard.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Automatic Updates
<o:p></o:p> A new GUI has been put into place for the Automatic Update system, which has added more functionality and ease of use of Automatic Updating.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p> A very welcome addition to Windows XP, especially for those novice users out there who could use the extra help in having the security set-up properly configured.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
With the power to edit your Firewall and Automatic updating sections all in one, as well as the ability to be sure your Anti-Virus is functional, this has to make you wonder if Microsoft has a future in security programs any time soon.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Wireless Network Setup<o:p></o:p>
A new, very easy to use wizard added with Service Pack 2, which is a nice addition for those who need the extra help when setting up a wireless network. <o:p></o:p>
Offering options to set up more computers manually or by USB flash drive, makes setting up a network simple as ever and is really making the transition into total wireless networking solutions easier. One glitch I found with the wizard was it allowed me to run it, although I have no wireless hardware.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Windows Firewall<o:p></o:p>
As you can see, it has 3 different settings. The best of course being the firewall enabled, with exceptions allowed.<o:p></o:p>
The firewall allows you to make exceptions to the rule, and lists them all in this easy to edit list.<o:p></o:p>
Here you can edit all the advanced settings of the firewall, from networking to security logging.<o:p></o:p>
The menu that comes up when an unauthorized program tries to access the internet.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Pop-Up blocker<o:p></o:p>
An entirely new addition to Windows XP, a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer which has been long awaited by all user of Windows XP, as pop-ups are becoming quite a nuisance these days.<o:p></o:p>
The settings for the pop-up blocker are found under the Privacy tab in Internet options.<o:p></o:p>
Here you see the individual settings for the pop-up blocker.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Conclusion and Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p>
Download Service Pack 2 RC2 via Windows Update<o:p></o:p>
Download Windows XP SP2.RC2 network installer
Thanks for your time in reading my article
J. Mitchener (amd_man2003)
<o:p></o:p>
Introduction<o:p></o:p> Today I will be giving all of you my impressions of Windows XP SP2 as well as the benefits and new features added to Windows XP with this new Service Pack.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Installation<o:p></o:p> The network release of SP2 comes in at 264mb, much bigger than the 133mb of the SP1a network install. Included amongst all the updates is a revamped firewall, pop-up blocking for Internet Explorer, wireless network setup, and a <st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> which keeps you protected and combines all the security options into a small easy to use GUI. <o:p></o:p>
Installing is fairly easy, as long as you have a legitimate copy of Windows XP Home, Professional, or Corporate, without a modified bootscreen (ntoskrnl.exe) or log-in screen. After downloading and starting it gives you the run of the mill software agreement and shortly after starts installing. It took me about 15-20 minutes to install on my Pentium 4 2.4c overclocked to 3GHz with 512mb of RAM. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Control Panel<o:p></o:p>
When navigating into the Control Panel, you will notice a host of new icons and things you can use, from a <st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> to Wireless Network Setup.<o:p></o:p>
Network Setup Wizard<o:p></o:p>
Although already built into XP, a handy icon shortcut to the wizard<o:p></o:p>
makes life easier when it comes to wired networking.<o:p></o:p> Wireless Network Setup Wizard<o:p></o:p>
A new feature to the Windows XP environment which makes wireless networking quite simple.<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p>
A handy little GUI that combines all of the elements of securing the Windows OS into an easy to use menu.<o:p></o:p>
Automatic Updates<o:p></o:p>
Although already integrated into the System properties, an icon has been added to the Control Panel to a revamped GUI.<o:p></o:p>
Windows Firewall<o:p></o:p>
A revamped version of the built in firewall that is much more professional and has made it much more secure.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
I will now go into detail on all of the new effects, except the Network Setup Wizard.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Automatic Updates
<o:p></o:p> A new GUI has been put into place for the Automatic Update system, which has added more functionality and ease of use of Automatic Updating.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place><st1:placename>Security</st1:placename><st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p> A very welcome addition to Windows XP, especially for those novice users out there who could use the extra help in having the security set-up properly configured.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
With the power to edit your Firewall and Automatic updating sections all in one, as well as the ability to be sure your Anti-Virus is functional, this has to make you wonder if Microsoft has a future in security programs any time soon.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Wireless Network Setup<o:p></o:p>
A new, very easy to use wizard added with Service Pack 2, which is a nice addition for those who need the extra help when setting up a wireless network. <o:p></o:p>
Offering options to set up more computers manually or by USB flash drive, makes setting up a network simple as ever and is really making the transition into total wireless networking solutions easier. One glitch I found with the wizard was it allowed me to run it, although I have no wireless hardware.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Windows Firewall<o:p></o:p>
As you can see, it has 3 different settings. The best of course being the firewall enabled, with exceptions allowed.<o:p></o:p>
The firewall allows you to make exceptions to the rule, and lists them all in this easy to edit list.<o:p></o:p>
Here you can edit all the advanced settings of the firewall, from networking to security logging.<o:p></o:p>
The menu that comes up when an unauthorized program tries to access the internet.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Pop-Up blocker<o:p></o:p>
An entirely new addition to Windows XP, a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer which has been long awaited by all user of Windows XP, as pop-ups are becoming quite a nuisance these days.<o:p></o:p>
The settings for the pop-up blocker are found under the Privacy tab in Internet options.<o:p></o:p>
Here you see the individual settings for the pop-up blocker.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Conclusion and Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p>
Download Service Pack 2 RC2 via Windows Update<o:p></o:p>
Download Windows XP SP2.RC2 network installer
Thanks for your time in reading my article
J. Mitchener (amd_man2003)
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