ZDNet UK

• CNET NETWORKS UK BUSINESS SITES:
• atlarge.com
• BNET UK
• silicon.com
• SmartPlanet.com
• ZDNet.co.uk

Windows XP SP2 nightmares

Gregg Keizer CNET

Published: 29 Oct 2004

The update that killed my applications

Without a doubt, this is the SP2 nightmare that's had the most coverage: after installing the update, some of the software that once worked fine on your PC simply doesn't function. Microsoft explains the problem by saying that SP2 is no normal service pack (just a collection of previous bug fixes), but is more like a top-to-bottom upgrade of XP. Analysts generally agree.

Actually, although the problem is bigger than Microsoft admits, it's not all doom and gloom. Microsoft Office still works fine after the update, for example. In fact, probably 99 percent of software that runs on XP runs fine on XP SP2. Still, statistics won't make you feel any better when you fire up a favourite program and it chokes.

Can this nightmare be banished? Not exactly – here's our best shot.

1. Check out Microsoft's list of 'Programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality'

• Steer your browser to this Microsoft-authored list of 37 (the count when we wrote this) programs that have issues with SP2. They range from the puny -- AOL's toolbar -- to the big deal, such as WordPerfect Office.
• If the program that's giving you fits is on the list, check with the program's maker. It may have a issued a downloadable fix by now.
• If not -- possible, since Microsoft's list is by no means comprehensive -- head to the vendor's Web site and do a quick search for 'SP2'. That's how we discovered how SurfSaver, one of our most important browsing tools, could be resurrected after installing SP2.

2. Unblock Windows Firewall
After installing SP2, some software may not run properly because Windows Firewall is now blocking one or more ports that the application or game needs to communicate with another computer or server. Here's the easiest way to unblock a program:

• Run the program.
• When the dialogue box alert appears, click Unblock this program.
• Click OK.

The most common SP2 problem that plagues applications is Windows Firewall wanting to block access to the Internet. The simplest way to fix this? Run the program and click Unblock.

 

If you disabled Windows Firewall because you're using another firewall, you can safely skip this step; most programs will work as before. For those that don't -- typically, SP2 updates to Microsoft titles such as Windows Messenger and Internet Explorer -- enable them using your firewall's own unblocking tactics.

3. Browse Microsoft's second list of affected applications: 'Some programs seem to stop working'
Some programs, including a few of Microsoft's own, need to have ports opened manually to work behind the Windows Firewall. That's a hassle, but at least there's help on the Web.

• Head to the next Microsoft list, which posts 49 applications and games temporarily stymied by Windows Firewall.
• Skim the list. If the program or game you're having trouble with is on the list, follow the directions on that page to open the specified ports.

Related articles

Did you find this article useful?
249 out of 495 people found this useful

Post a comment

Full Talkback thread

3 comments

1. what i would like to know is why do hackers and an... Anonymous
2. My laptop computer (3 Ghx Intel processor, therefo... Anonymous
3. I bought a new laptop xmas '04 3.2 Ghz It updated... Anonymous