XP service pack 2 and "teh gamez"

[calthaer]

So Microsoft recently released Windows XP Service Pack 2, and according to Gamespot this "patch" could spell bad news for games:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/08/16/news_6104980.html

The real question I have is - does it? Has anyone installed this thing and tried out some of the games it mentions (most of them big ones like StarCraft, WC3, KOTOR, etc.)? Had any problems? I'm reluctant to upgrade until I know whether it's going to be worth it or not. As with Direct X, I'm wondering if SP2 may be one of those things that's a hassle to remove once installed.

[Dangerboy]

I haven't downloaded it, as I literally just got XP on my new pc less than a week ago, but my friend who has XP and downloaded it admitted that it slowed down her PC a lot, in all the oddest places. She hasn't tried a game on it yet (she built it mainly for Tribes Vengence) but I've been hearing bad things about it in general from my customer base.

Downloader beware.

Jason

[whoisKeel]

it just says the firewall has some issues with those online games...so disable the windows firewall. i use a 3rd party firewall anyway (kerio), and i recommend you do the same, from whatever company (imo much more important than anti-virus software)

[Daria]

Last time I downloaded an XP service pack it crashed my computer and then wouldn't stop constantly restarting. It was stuck in a freaking loop. O_O

I don't bother upgrading XP now.

[themessage]

I disabled the firewall and virus protection that comes with sp2. Haven't had one problem... Can't they see the new icon in their system tray? Why work around something useless when you can just disable it :).

[Azazel]

Last time I downloaded an XP service pack it crashed my computer and then wouldn't stop constantly restarting. It was stuck in a freaking loop. O_O

I don't bother upgrading XP now.

I had the exact same problem.

[Ed Oscuro]

Last time I downloaded an XP service pack it crashed my computer and then wouldn't stop constantly restarting. It was stuck in a freaking loop. O_O

I don't bother upgrading XP now.

I had the exact same problem.
I've had that same problem, but at a different time...I think.

Calth and SoulBlazer had trouble getting into System Shock 2 after dl'in the patch - apparently it wouldn't let the game work over the 'net without answering a dialog that was hidden from them, whee.

[Raedon]

Chess Advantage III: Lego Chess

That's it!! I'm going to bitch slap Bill Gates.

[fahrvergnugen]

It's just firewall incompatibility. Either work around it (by specifically allowing certain apps to access the internet and be accessed by the internet) or disable it (foolish).

Most reports of people who have had it blow up after installation were "a bluescreen with the message 'winserv' is missing," which means they had a spyware infestation. Not MS's fault.

I'm all for any application that kicks those who don't practice safe computing off the damn internet, even temporarily.

[Raedon]

I've had a beta sp2 running for a few months.. it hasn't done anything whacky or made any of the games I play slow

[Sinteres]

You still play UO themessage?

On topic: Yeah SP2 is a pain in the ass

[AnAngel]

Just in case someone wants SP2 on CD, Microsoft can send it to you free by going here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx)

[GaijinPunch]

All Software firewalls are shit -- get hardware.

[WiseSalesman]

All Software firewalls are shit -- get hardware.

Seconded. I agree with GaijinPunch, the world must be coming to an end. :P

[zektor]

A warning regarding SP2:

I installed it on my system and after reboot, it would get to the Windows XP loading screen and freeze. I figured that perhaps this may be due to all of the garbage I have installed in the past few months, so I performed a clean install with a slipstreamed XP SP2. Now this was a fresh install of XP with SP2 integrated, and STILL it froze on initial bootup..the same exact way. I messed with BIOS settings for quite awhile figuring that *maybe* a setting is giving it the trouble. Well, I gave up and re-installed my XP SP1a and of course it works just fine. If you have XP and you just want to get all of the SP2 updates, a better bet would be to go to:

www.autopatcher.com

And download autopatcher. The full version has alot of tweaks, DirectX updates, and so on...but I use the "Ultralite" version. All it includes are the updates and fixes, all in a 90MB package.

[EnemyZero]

all those games work fine for me , i downloaded the service pack about a week ago....i believe it is a firewall problem, i have a firewall built into my wireless router so it doesnt affect me

[ECWSandmanECW]

It's actually made my computer a little faster, just turn off the firewall though.