Service Pack 2 for Windows XP is coming. Many of you are very concerned about it. Many of you don't even know what a service pack is. Some of you have dial-up Internet connections and probably won't get it anyhow. So, what is the story?
First of all, we need to discuss what a Service Pack is. Unfortunately the use of the term has changed over the years. Basically, a service pack is (or, used to be) just a bundle or collection of bug fixes and minor updates to a product. Service Packs bundle these fixes together so you can just do the install or upgrade process once, instead of each time a fix comes out. Of course, if you wait for the service pack you won't get the fixes as quickly, but usually that is not an issue unless you are suffering from a particular problem. I would always recommend installing service packs when they come out.
But over the past few years and with the very common availability of full-time high-speed Internet connections, Microsoft has changed the definition. Most Microsoft fixes are now automatically distributed via the Automatic Update process. All you have to do when you see the little green Automatic Update icon glowing in the right hand corner of your screen is to click on it. Thus, the process of distributing fixes in a timely manner has been much improved.
Microsoft now seems to reserve the term "service pack" for a medium to large size formal update of Windows. Thus, even though Windows is three years old now, there has only been one service pack (SP1) to date. Now, SP2 is coming to your PC.
This, then, is the problem. Not only will the new service pack fix some bugs, but also there are some major changes pending for Windows, mostly in the areas of reliability and security. How are these changes going to impact you?
Another change in service pack distribution is the mechanism. In the past, service packs were not automatically downloaded or installed, even if you have Automatic Updates turned on. You had to go to the Microsoft website or use the Start / All Programs / Windows Update feature to get it. Now, Microsoft has decided that SP2 is so mandatory that they ARE going to use the Automatic Update process. So, what does this mean to you?
First of all, my response to the question of whether to install SP2 is definitely YES. The only question is: when? In the past, you would have this choice. But now Microsoft is going to send you the update in pieces (it's very large) over time whether you want it or not. Once the entire service pack is downloaded, you will still have the choice of installing it or not, but it will bug you until you do.
So, my recommendation is this: Make sure Automatic Updates is turned on (it should already be), but change the options. Click Start, then RIGHT CLICK on My Computer and select Properties. Click on the Automatic Updates tab. Check "Keep my computer up to date…" but under Settings change the selection to "Notify me before downloading…" instead of the default of "Download the updates automatically…". Now you will be notified when the SP2 (or other) download is available, but you can choose when to download and install it.
About the SP2 changes, they are apparently vast. Basically what Microsoft has done is to tighten up a lot of the "holes" or security exposures in Windows XP. But they have also thus made it more difficult for some programs to run; you may have to install upgrades for your programs and applications. Windows will now ask your permission for things to occur; it did not ask you in the past and that let many unscrupulous applications get into your PC. But now you have to know the correct answer as to when and what to allow. This is similar to the issue in the past that I had with software firewalls - most people did not know how to properly configure them.
But I have changed my mind on software firewalls as a necessary evil, and apparently so is SP2.
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport / Oak Island area. You can visit his website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail him at bsc@bobseidel.com).