I read this on another site I can't name here:
"April 12th is the very last day. That’s when the clock runs, and the deadline looms.

And here you thought it was April 15th. Nope, it’s the twelfth. Because we’re not talking about the day your taxes are due. On no. We’re talking about the day that your Windows XP or Windows XP SP1 computer will be automatically updated to XP SP2 (Service Pack 2) whether you want it to or not. Period.

Up until now users who did not want to accept the SP2 update had the option of temporarily blocking the update from being downloaded to their machines through the Automatic or Windows Update mechanisms, however that option expires on April 12th.

According to Microsoft’s latest alert on the issue, “The intent of this alert is to provide you with a reminder about the upcoming deadline around the date on which Automatic Update (AU) and Windows Update (WU) will deliver Windows XP SP2 regardless of the presence of the blocking mechanism.”

What would like to know is does anyone know if this true or just a bit of rumourmongerring? I have chekced MS site but couldn't find anything on it, but that doesn'y suprise me with them.

Can they actually do this, force an installation that a user does not want?

Wow, i never thought Mickeysoft would control my internet connection and hard drives


Try installing Windows XP on a system without a NIC or modem

Microsoft can't force a 200 somthing MB file on you. From what I understand, if you do not get SP2 then you will not receive any further updates from Microsoft, this is how they are trying to stop piracy.

I really dont like SP2, and I dont really care about not getting the Windows updates, im happy with SP1a.

So basicly what will happen come April the 12th if I dont update, will it find some magic way to download the 200MB file?, or will it make Windows cease to work at all if I dont update?

Kinda pissed off about this.

Ben

They can't do that since you paid for the program. You will just not get further updates.

That would be a dictation from MS and I doubt anyone would go for that.

If it gets really bad then everyone can just switch to Lindows *er back to windows 2000. HA!

Both SP1 and SP2 was crap, SP1 fooked our office PC to the point were it needed a reload. When I loaded SP2 onto this pc it did the same thing! It did somthing to the right click so half the time it wudnt work and when it did it lagged for 10 mins. So i found the best way to install any SP was to install right after a fresh install.

\\\\VH////

That's what's got me, can they do it, technically or legally?

Stopping piracy has nothing to do with the SP2 issue, that is the new authentication thingy which is opt in at the moment. I don't like that either, though I understand there side of it.

They will not automatically, forcably ubdate your software (at least not in the US). they would never get away with something like that. I would suspect the same with other countries. To the best of my knoledge, your end user licience agreement doesn't include any obligation to modify the software agreement and if it did, I doub't it would stand up in court. They wouldn't do that because it could jepordise the legitamacy of the whole contract. I'm not a layer so I'm talking out of my ass but its based on my experience about how the law generally works and decisions courts have made in the past. They cannot invade your computer, period.
They may include sp2 with any and all updates (you chose to install it though they may not make it obvious they are updating it). They many not let you update anymore (updates only work with sp2). Billy boy may control the world, but forcable updates would liklly be illegal, would cause havok with buisness computers (with software that isn't sp2 compliant as we know many are with out patches and updates), and franklly, spawn of the devil or not, bill gates is not that stupid. You loose all the buisness computers, you loose the market.
I'll qualify, I am not an attorny, I'm not a buisnessman, or anything else. This is just my opinion (and a half assed one at that), but it wont happen (forced).
Fyi, stranger20, what ever happened to lindows? I followed the progress of that software for the longest time. I was actually hoping that it would work out and jeperdise windows and they had a big corperation (walmart) backing them. What happened? Last I knew compatibility with windows software was so bad you would have a beter chance running windown software on a mac?

Exactly! They are not going to force you to update to sp2. If you have automatic updates enabled it WILL download sp2 and install it after a certain date, If you dont want it installed just turn off automatic updates or hide the sp2 update so it doesn't download it.

I doubt they can magically turn on automatic updates if you disable it, just install SP1a and disable automatic updates, you should be fine.

Although you mgith be prevented from further updates, however, I am willing to bet things like WMP, Directx, and others will be available without SP2...

Just my thoughts...

as I recall the blocking the SP2 update was about corporate clients so they could get their systems and applications prepaired for SP2. I could be wrong but what I remeber reading was it would be these clients who were given the grace period before SP2 would be installed wether they wanted it or not.

they are probably trying to get everyone to sp2 so they can continue patching from there. i doubt that you will be forced, but i dont doubt that they can if they want to.

They will never get me!!! I have shut off automatic updates, mined my yard installed a moat and trained my rottweilers to hate anything MS......oh wait I allready installed SP2

wuauclt.exe still runs on my process task manager even when Automatic Updates is switched off from the control panel.

I'm going to disable it from Control Panel => Services => Automatic Updates = Stop & Disable. I'm using Win XP Home SP2

i wonder how often you people get viruses

that's what these critical updates are for people...

Yes, but we want to choose what updates we want or don't want, not to be told you must have this or else no more for you. I have heard of nothing but trouble with SP2.

just as I suspected the updates are so I can get viruses more often!!!

soon you wont be able to reinstall without calling a rep

Yup. Windows admin by day, growing linux user by night...

I can't wait for this to happen, they are pushing the tech savy towards Linux, which in time will cause Linux distributions to grow tremendously. M$ is shooting themselves in the foot and may bleed to death because of it.

Read up on Linux peeps, be prepared for the revolution one day

Linux is good, but at the moment it is not a viable replacement for windows. It won't be until it is easier to use, drivers are available for it for most peripherals, and it is easier to get games to work under it.

Saying that for those that know what they are doing and aren't into games it is a viable alternative.

those who know what they are doing can get games working

linux is a replacement for most users - but most users arent ready to have to learn anything new

Xwindows is a pretty easy interface. But, yeah there are users who complain if their Word icon is on the other side of the screen. The last thing you need are users that can't find their icons taking up your time when a server is down.

The problem is everyone is used to the MS office apps and its difficult to get them on a Linux OS Windows can actually be replaced nicely now, its just that Microsoft has a strangle hold on office and other apps.

What about DVD Burning apps on Linux? Any apps as easy to use as DVD Shrink / CloneDVD, AnyDVD, etc?

tried this Crossover office