06 Information Technology

Should I Upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2?

As you may already know, Microsoft recently released its latest security patch to Windows XP - Service Pack 2. At first glance, this may not seem like very big news considering that Microsoft has been releasing updates almost once per week over the past year. However, a deeper look into this new update shows something more. The Windows XP SP2 is probably the single most important and certainly the largest free update that has ever come out of Redmund, WA.

If you haven’t been privy to all of the tech talk in the news and on the web about Service Pack 2, let me sum it up for you: The new service pack includes a wide range of security geared updates to make your computer less vulnerable to attack, including every update that has ever been released for Windows XP.

Additionally, several new features have been added, including an improved Windows Firewall, a pop-up blocker built-in to Internet Explorer, and the new Windows Security Center. All of these security updates, combined with improved wireless support, better implementation of Bluetooth technologies, and a Direct X update make Service Pack 2 a worthwhile upgrade.

However, there are down sides. (Aren’t there always?) Due to the number of security lock-downs, some third party software packages have experienced problems with the service patch. You can find a full list of these packages and the problems that may occur at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
kbid=884130&product=windowsxpsp2. Many of these companies have already released updates that solve the problems that occur with SP2, so make sure you check the list before you install the update.

Now for the good news. TOPS Software has extensively tested our products in the SP2 environment, and we have not encountered any problems with the update on our Windows products.

However, for any customers still using DOS versions of TOPS, we recommend against upgrading to SP2, as it has been known to have unpredictable results. Unfortunately this cannot be avoided since XP SP2 changes the DOS environment.

Additionally, we have heard of some companies having trouble with incoming connections to the Windows firewall when their data server is an XP machine. This would only apply to those customers running TOPS 2000™ or TOPS On-Site™ who are using a peer to peer network where one of the workstations (running Windows XP) is defined as the server. In this scenario, you can easily get around the problem by checking the “Allow Network Users to change my Files” option in the sharing tab.

You may want to consider a third-party firewall anyway, since the Windows Firewall only protects against incoming connections, not outbound threats, such as trojans that report your passwords and credit card info to others. Also, the lack of outbound protection means your infected PC could still participate in distributed denial-of-service attacks.

Obviously, a good anti virus program can find and squash these viruses before they get this far, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you do choose to install a third-party firewall, make sure that you disable the Windows Firewall, as it will be activated automatically when you perform the upgrade.

Speaking of anti virus protection, one of the three main foci of the new Security Center is an anti virus protection program. Microsoft does not provide one for you, but it will monitor the program you have installed and let you know if it needs to be updated.

If you do not already have an anti virus program, Microsoft has provided links to over twenty popular third-party anti virus programs, many of which include free trials to new customers. Several of these services include a firewall, so you could easily kill two birds with one stone.

One caution that Microsoft recommends, and we second, is that you back up all of your critical data prior to performing the update. This way, if anything does go wrong, you won’t have lost anything. We recommend the TOPS Internet Backup Service for your TOPS data. For a free thirty day trial of this service, go to www.topsbackup.com and enter promotion code 104W in the sign up form.

The upgrade is quite large - over 80 MB, more if you have not installed previous updates. I recommend that you start the download and let it run overnight. If you have a slow or intermittent Internet connection, Microsoft provides a form that you can use to request a CD be mailed to you.

The upgrade itself takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, again, more if you have not installed previous updates. There are several steps, so you will need to baby-sit the actual upgrade, and you will also have to spend some time getting everything set up to your satisfaction once you have installed the update, so allow at least one and a half hours on each workstation for the process.

For more information on Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, or to begin the upgrade, go to
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx.

Andrea Drennen is the Internet Services Manager for TOPS Software.

What's On TOPS?
For regular TOPS News and Info, Subscribe to the OnTOPS Ezine!

Click Here to Manage Your TOPS Subscriptions.

NOW OPEN: Online Support Center!
The TOPS Online Support Center lets you track support tickets, billing minutes and more for your Client ID. Create your account today!

Link to TOPS
Do you have a web site? Link to TOPS Software!