|
|
|
|
|
Around 70 percent of Windows Vista on home systems are infected with malware, according to PC Tools, which blames Vista's UAC security feature for the high count — but Microsoft says it's user complacency that caused such a high rate of infection.
Research conducted by security company PC Tools over the past six months looked at malware infections on 1.4 million PCs installed with its ThreatFire software, which detects suspicious behaviour on PCs. Malware samples were tested against several antivirus engines, PC Tools said.
Out of every 1,000 Vista machines, 639 were infected by malware at some stage in the past six months, compared with 586 infections for PCs running Windows 2000. However, Microsoft's Windows XP was by far the worst performer with an infection rate of 1,021.
 Full story: ZDNet Australia
|
| Last comment was by Petrarca
|
|
|
|
A former Microsoft Corp. security manager has published a tool designed to detect and fix PCs that may be susceptible to "endless reboots" if updated to Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). Jesper Johansson, once a program manager for security policy at Microsoft and currently an MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) who works at Amazon.com, posted a link to the tool on his blog yesterday, beating his former employer and Hewlett-Packard Co. to the draw. Neither company has yet come up with a fix or patch for the weeklong snafu.
Johansson's small, 16K VBScript (Visual Basic Scripting Edition) file checks whether the PC is running a processor from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), and if so, examines the Windows registry to see if a device driver meant for Intel-based machines is set to load.
"If it is, it will offer you an option to disable it," said Johansson in an update to a blog post where he has been summarizing reports of Windows XP SP3 problems and offering solutions. Users can run the script from the command line to check multiple machines on a network, Johansson added. The command is: removeIntelPPMonAMD.vbs ...
View: Jesper Johansson Blog
 News source: Computer World
|
| Last comment was by No one
|
|
|
|
This blog entry covers a issue that some customers have encountered with the release of SP3 for Windows XP. The service pack supports the use of the /integrate command to integrate(or also called slipstream) SP3 into a Windows XP flat. It is supported to run the command with the following media: Windows XP Professional RTM, Windows XP Professional SP1, Windows XP Professional SP2.
The problem arises if the /integrate command is run under Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. The /integrate process will not report any error and appear to work but if you try to install from the media your product key may not be accepted. Luckily the fix is easy. Run the /integrate command under Windows XP or Windows Server 2003. For more information around this issue see http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;EN-US;950722
View: MS Knowledge Base
News source: Technet
|
| Last comment was by No one
|
|
|
|
Hewlett-Packard Co. today confirmed that some users of its AMD-based desktops have had problems after installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), and said it would issue a patch this week to prevent machines from spiraling into endless reboots. HP also told users to delay installing XP SP3 until that patch was released. Microsoft, meanwhile, acknowledged today that it's working on a hotfix of its own.
The confirmations were the latest additions to the weeklong saga of problems some users have encountered after upgrading Windows XP to SP3. Last week, reports began showing up on Microsoft's support forum of "endless reboots" crippling machines running Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processors. Many of the users said that the out-of-control PCs were from HP.
Full story: ComputerWorld
|
| Last comment was by No one
|
|
|
|
It's not AMD's fault. Multiple fingers are pointing to a key OEM that may have taken a lazy way out. As with any patch/service pack, Service Pack 3 for Windows XP has not been without its hiccups. This is more or less standard, as Microsoft can't test every possible configuration out there. However, one issue has come up that's causing some finger pointing and claims of an OEM taking a shortcut, a shortcut Microsoft warned them not to take.
A number of HP computers with AMD processors have gotten stuck in an endless loop of reboots when trying to install SP3. This problem first cropped up when SP3 was initially released, causing Microsoft to pull the service pack temporarily. Machines from other PC makers have suffered a similar problem, and it has struck Intel-based systems as well. What's different here is there seems to be a regular occurrence with AMD-based HP machines, and the fingers are pointing in HP's direction.
Both AMD and a Microsoft expert and former employee who writes a blog on Microsoft topics, are saying HP used the same Windows XP system image for Intel chipsets on AMD machines. While AMD's and Intel's processors are compatible, their supporting chipsets most definitely are not.
Full story: Internet News
|
| Last comment was by Neo - Matrix
|
|
|
|
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 sends some PCs into an endless series of reboots, according to posts to a Microsoft support forum. Jesper Johansson, a former program manager for security policy at Microsoft and a prominent Windows blogger, has worked with users to tentatively identify the problem as involving only machines using processors from Advanced Micro Devices. Messages from frustrated users began accumulating on the XP SP3 support newsgroup Wednesday, just a day after Microsoft released the update to the general public.
"I just installed Windows XP SP3 and after completing the processes and when the system reboots, the system cannot proceed to load the Windows," said a user labeled as "Olin" in a message that kicked off a long thread. "It just displays the flash screen of Windows then after it reboots again."
Most users who left messages on the forum said that they were unable to boot into Windows Safe mode -- a last-ditch way to sidestep the normal boot process for troubleshooting purposes -- or revert to a previously saved System Restore point. Some were understandably upset. "Way to go, Microsoft, releasing the pile of dung called SP3 that hoses your system so bad even Safe Mode isn't working!" said a user identified as Mike Voss. "Props to your QA guys, they certainly have done their job."
Full story: InfoWorld
|
| Last comment was by Devil_666
|
|
|
|
Depending on how you spin this information, it’s either good news or bad. A study by a decidedly partial observer, security vendor PC Tools Software, showed that Windows Vista, while much improved over Windows XP, is still far too vulnerable. Not that we needed a study to tell us that …
The study was developed by using data from PC Tools’ ThreatFire program. According to the data, Vista allowed 639 threats per thousand computers through its built-in security, compared with 586 for Windows 2000, 478 for Windows Server 2003, and 1,021 for Windows XP. So, rather than Windows Vista being Microsoft’s most secure OS, as it’s advertised, it’s really Windows Server 2003? Simon Clausen, CEO of PC Tools, said in a statement:
“Ironically, the new operating system has been hailed by Microsoft as the most secure version of Windows to date. However, recent research conducted with statistics from over 1.4 million computers within the ThreatFire community has shown that Windows Vista is more susceptible to malware than the eight year old Windows 2000 operating system, and only 37% more secure than Windows XP.”
Full story: RealTechNews
|
| Last comment was by Petrarca
|
|
|
|
The release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 not only heralded a long-awaited update of the operating system, it also meant the end of two common Windows Vista anti-activation exploits - the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack. But those who think they can escape by not updating to Service Pack 1 would be sadly mistaken.
That's because Microsoft has surreptitiously released an anti-hack detection update via Windows Update. Those who chose to have Windows Vista install updates automatically would have this update installed and running by now. If you chose to manually select updates to be installed, you should find this update listed.
Full story: Tech ARP via Neowin
|
| Last comment was by No one
|
|
|
|
Microsoft is launching a programme to promote the use of its Windows OS in ultra-low-cost PCs. One aspect of this scheme will be to limit the hardware capabilities of this type of device. Microsoft plans to offer PC makers steep discounts on Windows XP Home Edition to encourage them to use that operating system (OS) instead of Linux on ultra low-cost PCs (ULPCs). To be eligible, however, the PC vendors that make ULPCs must limit screen sizes to 10.2in and hard drives to 80GB, and they cannot offer touchscreen PCs.
The program is outlined in confidential documents that Microsoft sent to PC makers last month, and which were obtained by IDG News Service. The goal apparently is to limit the hardware capabilities of ULPCs so that they don't eat into the market for mainstream PCs running Windows Vista, something both Microsoft and the PC vendors would want to avoid.
Full story: PC Advisor
|
| Last comment was by No one
|
|
|
|
While Microsoft was supposed to release Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) on April 29, 2008, the service pack only became unofficially available on the download.windowsupdate.com domain. Today, XP SP3 has officially hit the Release to Web (RTW) milestone. In other words, SP3 is available both on Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center.
The final build of SP3 (5512) reportedly includes 1,073 fixes, including every security update, out-of-band release, and hotfix released since Windows XP SP2 hit Microsoft's servers back in August 2004. The release notes for SP3 have also been updated, as has the MUI pack. Also, make sure you know what to do with your version of Internet Explorer before installing the service pack.
News source: ArsTechnica
View: XP SP3 Release Notes
 Download: Network Installation Package | XP SP3 - ISO CD Image | XP SP3 Checked Build | Windows Update
|
| Last comment was by severach
|
|
|
|
Windows XP SP3 contains some new updates, and a number of bug fixes and security improvements. You can learn more about XPSP3 features by reading the white paper located here. We expect XPSP3 will be publicly available shortly and want you to have this information prior to its final release to the web.
XPSP3 will continue to ship with IE6 and contains a roll-up of the latest security updates for IE6. If you are still running Internet Explorer 6, then XPSP3 will be offered to you via Windows Update as a high priority update. You can safely install XPSP3 and will have an updated version of IE6 with all your personal preferences, such as home pages and favorites, still intact. If you are currently running IE7 or IE8 on Windows XP SP2 (XPSP2) and you are thinking of upgrading to XPSP3, read on.
If you are currently running IE7 on XPSP2, Windows Update will offer you XPSP3 as a high priority update. If you choose to install XPSP3, Internet Explorer 7 will remain on your system after the install is complete. Your preferences will be retained. However, you will no longer be able to uninstall IE7. If you go to Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs, the Remove option will be grayed out.
|
| ...Read More | Last comment was by TravisO
|
|
|
|
Microsoft last week announced that it had posted "slipstream builds" of Windows XP Service Pack 3 for download by subscribers of its IT professional and developer services. The company has yet to offer Windows XP SP3 to the general Windows-using public, however.
The slipstream builds integrate SP3 with the existing bits of Windows XP into a single .iso, or disk image, file that can be used to install the upgraded operating system on multiple machines without having to connect each to Windows Update or a WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) server. Slipstream builds are typically used to reimage a PC after its hard drive has been reformatted.
"Microsoft is pleased to make available integrated retail and volume license installs of Windows XP SP3, to MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers," Chris Keroack, the company's XP SP3 release manager, said in a message posted to the TechNet support newsgroup late Friday. Only image files for the Chinese-Simplified, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese-Brazil and Spanish versions of XP SP3 have been added to the two services' download sections, Keroack said.
Full story: PC Advisor
|
| Last comment was by No one
|
|
|
|
Vista's SP1 was expected to solve a lot of problems; instead, it caused even more trouble. Here are fixes to some top complaints, from a Windows Update that won't update to endless reboot loops. When Microsoft rolled out Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to millions of users, people had king-sized anticipations about what SP1 would do for their systems. Sadly, for some people, that eagerness turned into an imperial-sized disgust at what SP1 did to their systems. Sometimes SP1 wouldn't install correctly; sometimes it wasn't installed at all; and sometimes it left their machines far worse off than before.
I'm going to profile some common disaster scenarios that crop up with Vista SP1 and talk about what can be done in each case. The vast majority of the problems that crop up with SP1 can be solved with a little care and diligence. Even if you have to completely reinstall, you can usually do so without torching your data.
One of the first problems that people reported with Service Pack 1 was that they weren't being offered SP1 for download through Windows Update in the first place. If they wanted to install it, they had to obtain and apply it manually.
Full story: InformationWeek
|
| Last comment was by suryad
|
|
|
|
So I build a new Windows XP ISO with SP3 integrated, this is a Volume License editions (VOL) which only accepts Volume License Keys (VLK). When I want to install it on a clean machine, I noticed that setup prompts for a product key and it does not allow me to continue, which should be a new feature in XP sp3. OK so I fill in the VLK but it does not accept it, I try another one from a customer of mine, does not work either.
I found out that the problem is when you do the XP Sp3 slipstream process on a WIndows Vista machine, the API gives a different response and screws up the PID process. This is a bug and Microsoft knew about this in December, still the bug remained and made it all the way to RTM, nice work Microsoft. So XP SP slipstream only on XP or 2003 machines!!!
News source: Bink.nu
|
| Last comment was by Maleko
|
|
|
|
MSFN Hosting, a subsidiary of MSFN.org, was launch in the summer of 2006. Started as MSFN.org, being one of the best and fast-growing forums on the Internet dealing with everything related to Microsoft that was started as a small group back in August of 2001 and have grown to be one of the most knowledgeable forums around, MSFN Hosting was born.
With one of the largest teams composed of highly qualified and devoted professionals, with diverse backgrounds, creating a powerful mix of high-quality web hosting services dedicated to providing our customers with top notch services in the web hosting industry, you can be assured your company or personal sites are safe with us. Blazing Fast, Rock-Solid Servers. Dual Core Dual-Processor Intel & AMD Servers w/min 2 GB RAM, RedHat Enterprise 3/4 Linux, Apache Web Server (Latest and Stable). View more features.
|
| ...Read More | Last comment was by No one |
|
Search
Forums
News Archive
Submit News 
Main Menu
Sub Sites
Win Service Packs
Office Service Packs
DirectX 9.0c
Misc. Downloads
Microsoft Technologies
Microsoft Resources
MSFN RSS Feed
Latest 
