Microsoft's update troubles deepen further

17 August 2004 17:47 GMT / By Stuart Miles

UPDATE: It seems that the plot thickens further as the list of programs that will work “differently” after the service pack 2 has expanded to 200 applications on the eve of the consumer roll out of the update.

Now major applications including Microsoft's own packages will act differently when the new service pack is installed onto a PC running Windows XP.

The full list can be seen here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130

eBay has also posted a notice saying that some of the features of its eBay Toolbar program will cease to function after users install SP2. Additionally on a statement on eBay it also acknowledges that its Enhanced Picture Services “is currently not working”

According to the BBC, the update was supposed to be available yesterday (16 August 2004) but has been held over until tomorrow (18 August 2004)

The main problems have occurred due to issues with Microsoft new Windows Firewall application which is set to on as default.

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News Story originally posted on August 16 2004 8:57 PM GMT by Stuart Miles
Games, security software and popular business packages are causing major headaches to users of the new long awaited service pack for Windows XP.

Released last week, reports have started coming in of issues with over 50 programmes that Microsoft has flagged as clashing with the download.

Microsoft has had to publish a list of over 50 software titles on its knowledge base support site that it knows will cause problems when run on a machine that has had the new service pack loaded on to it.

Key contenders likely to affect pocket-lint readers are Unreal Tournament 2003, Photoshop Elements and most file sharing programs.

The problems arise from the new Windows Firewall applications which automatically installs on default and then blocks access to the internet to stop incoming attacks from viruses, worms and other security threats.

Microsoft has produced guidelines on how to fix know problems on its knowledge base support site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242

Currently the Service Pack is only available to business customers, however Microsoft is hoping to offer the download to personal users through its auto update download service. Expect a notice on a PC near you in the coming weeks.

Full tags

Software, PC software, Operating Systems, Microsoft, Vista