Now that I have Windows XP SP2

[RebelYell]

Do I still need Norton? Automatic Live Update no longer works because of SP 2. I've opened the ports manually, and Norton still doesn't update automatically. Am I wasting my money on Norton?

[Nocturnes]

1. Someone has to say this

Now that you have SP2, uninstall Windows and install the *nix of your choice. If you find that you must keep Windows then get an old 386/486 and put Coyote Linux on it (it fits on a floppy disk) and use it as a router. SP2 borked so many third party apps (and apparently a lot of Windows functions) that I am surprised it was released

[RebelYell]

2. Linux?

Thanks!

[DS1]

5. Those responses are just full of useful information, are they not?

:eyes:

[iconoclastic cat]

9. Yep! I was on with tech support for 4 hours after installing SP2 today!

It totally screwed up my PC. Avoid SP2 like the plague! If you have your XP disc, you have to uninstall SP2 in safe mode, then do a repair install to get rid of it altogether.

Bastards killed my evening.

[George_S]

35. Red Hat and OS/2 sit on my other puter...

...lonely.

XP with SP2 is actually pretty cool. No problems.

Norton should have a fix at their site. I wouldn't renew it though if you are talking only firewall. You do need AV though.

AVG is free and so is ZoneAlarm, good for checking outgoing stuff.

If I was going to get away from Windows, it would be for a MAC.

[Maestro]

3. There is an uninstall for it.

Too many people are having too many problems. My father had a port closed that was the port his cable modem used to access the Internet. I finally just uninstalled SP2 as I couldn't open that port manually.

[RebelYell]

4. I'm so happy Bill Gates doesn't build cars

We would have a spare engine in our trunks. Thanks, I forgot about the uninstall.

[Massacure]

6. It would also crash 12 times a day.

:P

[no name no slogan]

10. But just think if the Linux kidz built cars....

You'd have twelve different ways to crank down the windows, each with its own set of rules, none of which would make any sense.

However, you could make a left turn by simply turning on the radio.

[Wilber_Stool]

8. I've got that ominous little update icon

in my tray right now. It's ready to install. How can I get rid of it without installing?

[iconoclastic cat]

12. Just close it out or ignore it. But do not install, whatever you do.

[Maestro]

20. Turn off automatic updates. -eom

[TroubleMan]

7. Here's what you do (seriously):

Go to Control Panel
Click on the security center icon (or double-click if you're in classic view)

You'll see an option to disable the firewall....do it!

You do need a firewall so get the best firewall in the business ....FOR FREE....

Zone Alarm:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp

(click on the red "Free Download" button)

[RebelYell]

11. Ok. But

no spyware involved with the free zone alarm?

[iconoclastic cat]

13. Nope!

Also get AdAware by Lavasoft:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

[RebelYell]

23. Thanks.........

even the pop up from DU is gone! Finally. You guys are the BEST.

Edited to add

[TroubleMan]

14. none at all.....absolutely none

It's really a good product.

[miss_kitty]

26. I suppose ZA is the best

if you don't mind all the rebooting of your computer that TVS seems to be resposible for:eyes:. OH and don't forget the TOTAL FUCKING TRASH JOB trying to update to PRO 5 did to my .dll shit. :nuke: :grr: :nuke:

[Florida_Geek]

15. SP2 knows Zone Alarm

I installed SP2 and it knows about Zone Alarm and it's Firewall never started.......

I have had no problems with SP2.

[TroubleMan]

16. True, but I'm not sure what it does if you install Zone Alarm after SP2

I've never tried it that way...it probably will shut off the firewall automatically the same way, but I'm not sure.

[RebelYell]

18. It appears

to work this way:

Install SP2
Disable Windows Firewall
Download and install Zone Alarm
VIOLA!

All my programs work again!

I owe you guys one. Or two.

[RebelYell]

17. Windows Firewall disabled

Zone Alarm installed and running.

Guess what?

Live Update works!

Thanks.

Muuuaaahhh!

[Maestro]

21. Yes, but it has problems

with many other firewalls. I don't like ZA because it zaps my bandwidth; otherwise it is a fine firewall.

[Ladyhawk]

19. My system takes twice as long to boot.

:eyes:

You know, I would switch to Linux or something, but I have to stay familiar with WinD'OH!s so I know how to fix it. :P

[qnr]

22. Could only help to know multiple

Operating Systems, if you are talking about fixing Windows professionally . Doesn't have to be either/or after all. You can dual boot, or just leave Windows on your hard disk and use a "live" distro that allows you to insert a CD into your drive and boot to Linux. Knoppix and Morphix are well-known ones, but there are many available. http://www.distrowatch.org can give you the details on many different varieties of Linux and BSD distributions.

BTW, if you go (I have to say this, since I'm a developer for the distro heheheh) visit the Source Mage GNU/Linux page and help bump up our "popularity" - it will confuse the heck out of the other members of the team if the page was suddenly innundated.

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=sourcemage

Mods: sorry if this looks like advertising, it really isn't meant to be - but if you spank me for it, I'll understand

[WindRavenX]

24. SP2 sucks

It completely made my system slow as ass.
McAfee anti-virus was running all the fucking time.

[Princess Turandot]

31. I'm not schilling for Microsoft..

but did you follow their pre-installation suggestions, before installing SP2?

[iconoclastic cat]

36. I did, and it still hosed my computer.

[miss_kitty]

25. After 50 years of life I finally learned to 'go with my gut'

and I DID NOT do the SP2
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Princess Turandot]

27. Did you happen to buy Norton on-line? If you did, go to the services panel

and makes sure that a service called X-stream Lok is set to run automatically. If it's there, even if you did not buy Norton on line,
set it to run automatically.

You can also update Norton by going to:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/download/pages/US-N95.html

If you have broadband, click on the link right after the yellow bar, which is the daily update. I actually just let it run, and install itself, without directly downloading the program. Symantec updates their virus defs daily, but Live Update only does it once a week, I believe. (Unless that changed after 2003.)

Unless Zone Alarm has added virus protection, you still to run something, since the other programs, such as Ad-aware, look for spyware & trojans, not viruses.

I think SP2 had a year free subscription to some anti virus program but if it was MacAfee, I would not use it. You can turn those things off via the Security Control Panel, I think. You definitely need a firewall in lieu of Microsofts, because theirs only checks incoming traffic; you need one that goes both ways. Zone Alarm does. I use the free Sygate firewall, but that's just a personal preference. Make sure that you are not connected to the net after you download Zone Alarm, then disable the Microsoft program, and then install Zone Alarm.

BTW, have you tried to re-install Norton or check the Microsoft page on known SP2 program interraction issues? I have Norton AV2003 and am having no problems. In fact, I'm not having any problens post SP2.

[RebelYell]

28. No

I bought a disk, in a box. Norton Anti Virus Professional 2004. Due for a subscription renewal in December.

[Princess Turandot]

32. still check services for xstream lok..

and enable it if it is there.

[Princess Turandot]

33. sorry, I missed your reply above. You do need a firewall though..

and I would use one of the others,not Microsofts.

[RebelYell]

34. My ISP offers free Black Ice

Adequate?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

29. I haven't had any problems at all with SP2

I repair and update systems on a regular basis, and I've begun using SP2 for my clients. I haven't had a single computer 'dislike' it at all, and it's on all 3 of my office machines, plus a laptop. I've put it on perhaps a dozen machines in the field so far.

I've discarded Norton for McAfee because it sees spyware and adware, and Norton does not. With the improved XP firewall I've found it unnecessary to use ZA or any other firewall. The caveat is, all my office machines are behind a router/switch combination and I'm not really concerned about software firewalls here. But it seems to work as well on stand-alone machines, and not one of my clients have called with crashes or other problems.

Of course, your mileage may vary. I'm just stating my personal (and professional) opinion.

[RebelYell]

30. I put SP 2 on both my laptop and desktop here at home

The only problem was Norton's live update. I installed ZA earlier, got my live update working, my weather program and clock sync working. When my subscription for Norton is due, I'll switch to McAfee on your recommendation. Thanks!