is XP SP2 RC2 advisable for the average FCKGW user?

[perfb]

just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
as reliable as the original XP?

I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx

I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out these
days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.

If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I'm running Windows XP with SP2 RC2 and the system is running
beautifully! However, I would suggest that you visit one of the
newsgroups dedicated to SP2 beta and repost your question.
And no, Linux is not even a close competitor to Windows XP.
Many folks who have tried using Linux are not impressed and
return Windows XP rather quickly.

Welcome to Windows XP SP2 Technical Preview Newsgroups
http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?icp=xpsp2&slcid=us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"perfb" > wrote in message:
om...

| just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
| is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
| as reliable as the original XP?
|
| I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
| mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
| writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
| 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
| having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
|
| http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
|
| I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out these
| days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.
|
| If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
| eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

That should be "return to Windows XP rather quickly".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

[Mike]

I have had this new computer for six months with XP and not one single
virus. I must be doing something wrong!
"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> as reliable as the original XP?
>
> I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
> 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
>
>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
>
> I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out these
> days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.
>
> If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Wesley Vogel]

Have you run a virus scan??

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In ,
Mike <mikemc713@nospam> hunted and pecked:
> I have had this new computer for six months with XP and not one single
> virus. I must be doing something wrong!
> "perfb" > wrote in message
> om...
>> just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average'
>> user, is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2
>> at least as reliable as the original XP?
>>
>> I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
>> mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
>> writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has
>> exactly a
>> 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
>> having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
>>
>>
>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
>>
>> I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out
>> these days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.
>>
>> If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
>> eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Wesley Vogel]

Have you run a virus scan??

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In ,
Mike <mikemc713@nospam> hunted and pecked:
> I have had this new computer for six months with XP and not one single
> virus. I must be doing something wrong!
> "perfb" > wrote in message
> om...
>> just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average'
>> user, is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2
>> at least as reliable as the original XP?
>>
>> I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
>> mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
>> writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has
>> exactly a
>> 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
>> having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
>>
>>
>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
>>
>> I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out
>> these days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.
>>
>> If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
>> eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> as reliable as the original XP?
>
> I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
> 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
>

Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of Windows
XP.
I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until we
release the product).

The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
software - it will not apply at all.


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> as reliable as the original XP?
>
> I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
> 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
>
>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
>
> I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out these
> days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.
>
> If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Wesley Vogel]

You will have to see if you can steal Linux somewhere then.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In om,
perfb > hunted and pecked:
> just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> as reliable as the original XP?
>
> I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly
> a
> 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
>
>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
>
> I certainly would advise Linux for the average user starting out these
> days. Suse/Mandrake look a whole lot better than XP to me.
>
> If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Tom]

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message
...
> I'm running Windows XP with SP2 RC2 and the system is running
> beautifully! However, I would suggest that you visit one of the
> newsgroups dedicated to SP2 beta and repost your question.

Have you been checking every line item in the Sytem and Application reports
in the Event Viewer? Have you been running chkdsk once a day to see that
report. Have you tried turning off certain services that (you probably
don't, or you just don't because MS tells you not to) you don't need on a
single PC setup? I bet you haven't.

I know my system is better than yours from hardware setup, and I have the
latest updates. There still are problems, though they are slight, and a far
cry better than the SP1 beta when that was running. I have already given 5
reports of bugs to date, though none are serious, just annoying.

> And no, Linux is not even a close competitor to Windows XP.
> Many folks who have tried using Linux are not impressed and
> return Windows XP rather quickly.

Well, you either only listen to Linux haters, or your proclivity to only use
products from MS, or that is recommended by MS tells a lot. Firstly, Linux
is much more stable, and faster, it just never has caught on witrh software
wrtiers since its inception, hence not much software is written for it. That
is why I use Windows. If Linux (Mandrake is awesome!) had a lot of software
written for it, I would use it primarily, as it does work really well. And
all newer hardware is made to run with Linux too, with all the latest
drivers and support, so that is no problem.

The problem with Linux haters, is that they don't know how to use it, or do
not have the true PC savvy to not be held by the hand, and command line
setups are too far complex for the average Windows user, but it is a better
setup system. Most advanced MVPs here probably have it still and I know two
that are good with it and like it. Ever wonder why the best servers in the
world and in company systems are *nix based??

[Mike]

Unix installations are customized for whatever purpose is required, and are
not required to be user friendly.. Win XP/9x operating systems are expected
to do a multitude of tasks.. not unlike comparing a Caterpillar 789b to a
Chevy S10.. each has its place..

"Tom" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm running Windows XP with SP2 RC2 and the system is running
> > beautifully! However, I would suggest that you visit one of the
> > newsgroups dedicated to SP2 beta and repost your question.
>
> Have you been checking every line item in the Sytem and Application
reports
> in the Event Viewer? Have you been running chkdsk once a day to see that
> report. Have you tried turning off certain services that (you probably
> don't, or you just don't because MS tells you not to) you don't need on a
> single PC setup? I bet you haven't.
>
> I know my system is better than yours from hardware setup, and I have the
> latest updates. There still are problems, though they are slight, and a
far
> cry better than the SP1 beta when that was running. I have already given 5
> reports of bugs to date, though none are serious, just annoying.
>
> > And no, Linux is not even a close competitor to Windows XP.
> > Many folks who have tried using Linux are not impressed and
> > return Windows XP rather quickly.
>
> Well, you either only listen to Linux haters, or your proclivity to only
use
> products from MS, or that is recommended by MS tells a lot. Firstly, Linux
> is much more stable, and faster, it just never has caught on witrh
software
> wrtiers since its inception, hence not much software is written for it.
That
> is why I use Windows. If Linux (Mandrake is awesome!) had a lot of
software
> written for it, I would use it primarily, as it does work really well.
And
> all newer hardware is made to run with Linux too, with all the latest
> drivers and support, so that is no problem.
>
> The problem with Linux haters, is that they don't know how to use it, or
do
> not have the true PC savvy to not be held by the hand, and command line
> setups are too far complex for the average Windows user, but it is a
better
> setup system. Most advanced MVPs here probably have it still and I know
two
> that are good with it and like it. Ever wonder why the best servers in the
> world and in company systems are *nix based??
>
>

[perfb]

"many users return Windows XP rather quickly".

heheh, quite the freudian slip!

many users are, in fact, returning XP rather quickly,
when they see how vulnerable it is out of the box,
and how quick to become inoperable once online and sucking
up virii and adware like a black hole.


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message >...
> That should be "return to Windows XP rather quickly".

[johnf]

If you are so anti-XP & don't use it as your main OS, why are you playing
with it at all??
Afraid your post is slightly contradictory.

--
johnf

> "many users return Windows XP rather quickly".
>
> heheh, quite the freudian slip!
>
> many users are, in fact, returning XP rather quickly,
> when they see how vulnerable it is out of the box,
> and how quick to become inoperable once online and sucking
> up virii and adware like a black hole.
>
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message
> >...
>> That should be "return to Windows XP rather quickly".

[perfb]

yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
eventually work on FCKGW variants.

So, evidently they are still getting around to it.

> > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> > as reliable as the original XP?
> >
> > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
> > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> >
>
> Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of Windows
> XP.
> I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.

hahahahahahahaha!!!!
snort!
and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
fat chance, bubba.
I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.


> Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
> retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until we
> release the product).
>
> The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> software - it will not apply at all.

but M$ has publically promised it will.
eventually.
evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...

>
> >
> > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> eventually work on FCKGW variants.
>
> So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
>

We did not publicaly announce that the SP2 will work on yor stolen/pirated
software.
It will not - please stop using stolen/pirated software.

From
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/security/sec1211.mspx
Host: Mike_Nash (Microsoft)
Q: Christian_Hougardy_MVP : Mike, we are slowly coming to our monthly
question about patching illegal versions. Did you change your mind about it,
or do we have to ask again ?
A: This is a hard question Cristian. We have not changed our mind here.
People with illegal copies cannot get updates from WU

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/security/sec0504.mspx
Host: Mike Nash (Microsoft)
Q: Thanks Mike. But how is Microsoft getting the message out to those end
users? It does not seem like they are getting it
A: It's a fair point Jim. I can't quote numbers, but a few things worthy of
note. The number of people using WU is up a lot. We need it to be higher but
the numbers are better. Overall, firewalls are being used more. The result
is more customers having a good experience in worm events like Sasser. That
said, getting people to install SP2 will be a very important opportunity for
customers to be safer. We are going to be working hard to get as many people
as possible to move to SP2. There have also been quite a few questions about
SP2 on pirated machines. We will require a customer to have a legitimate
copy of XP in order to install SP2.

> > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > >
> > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly
a
> > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > >
> >
> > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
Windows
> > XP.
> > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
>
> hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> snort!
> and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> fat chance, bubba.

A whole one click of a mouse to activate - not exactly a ritual ?

> I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
>

And also unable to be patched to protect you and everyone from various
issues.

>
> > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
> > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until
we
> > release the product).
> >
> > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > software - it will not apply at all.
>
> but M$ has publically promised it will.
> eventually.
> evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
>

No we did not, see the quotes above.
SP2 is for legitimate users of Windows XP only.


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> eventually work on FCKGW variants.
>
> So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
>
> > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > >
> > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly
a
> > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > >
> >
> > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
Windows
> > XP.
> > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
>
> hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> snort!
> and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> fat chance, bubba.
> I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
>
>
> > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
> > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until
we
> > release the product).
> >
> > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > software - it will not apply at all.
>
> but M$ has publically promised it will.
> eventually.
> evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
>
> >
> > >
> > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You are wrong! If you run a known pirated version of Windows XP,
neither SP1 or SP2 can be installed. You are not entitled to any support
(update or otherwise) since you do not have a legitimate license.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"perfb" > wrote in message:
om...

| yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
| which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
| even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
| eventually work on FCKGW variants.
|
| So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
|
| > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
| > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
| > > as reliable as the original XP?
| > >
| > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
| > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
| > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
| > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
| > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
| > >
| >
| > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of Windows
| > XP.
| > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
|
| hahahahahahahaha!!!!
| snort!
| and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
| fat chance, bubba.
| I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
|
|
| > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
| > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until we
| > release the product).
| >
| > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
| > software - it will not apply at all.
|
| but M$ has publically promised it will.
| eventually.
| evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
|
| >
| > >
| > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
| > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Tom]

"Mike" > wrote in message
...
> Unix installations are customized for whatever purpose is required, and
> are
> not required to be user friendly.. Win XP/9x operating systems are
> expected
> to do a multitude of tasks.. not unlike comparing a Caterpillar 789b to a
> Chevy S10.. each has its place..

So, what does this have to do with the MS Micro-Bot Carey making blanket
statements about the experiences of other Linux users? Your reply has
nothing to do with my quesiotning/challenging Carey's inexerience with
anything not made by MS. He is lying, and has admittedly never used ant
Linux distro. Don't get me wrong, I prefer Windows, and it is easier to use,
but not as stable,. I mainly use Windows for the reasons specified in my
previous post.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Here is the solution to your problem:

1. Purchase a legitimate "Full Version" of Windows XP.
2. Perform a "Clean Install".
3. Install all the Critical Updates (including SP1).
4. Install a comprehensive Internet Security program
such as Norton Internet Security 2004.
5. When SP2 is released, you can easily install it.
6. You'll have no further significant issues with XP.
7. Your mental health will improve since you did the
right thing by installing a legitimate version of XP.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"perfb" > wrote in message:
om...

| yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
| which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
| even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
| eventually work on FCKGW variants.
|
| So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
|
| > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
| > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
| > > as reliable as the original XP?
| > >
| > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
| > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
| > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly a
| > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
| > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
| > >
| >
| > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of Windows
| > XP.
| > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
|
| hahahahahahahaha!!!!
| snort!
| and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
| fat chance, bubba.
| I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
|
|
| > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
| > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until we
| > release the product).
| >
| > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
| > software - it will not apply at all.
|
| but M$ has publically promised it will.
| eventually.
| evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
|
| >
| > >
| > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
| > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Tom]

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message
...
> Here is the solution to your problem:
>
> 1. Purchase a legitimate "Full Version" of Windows XP.

No, DO NOT purchase a "Full (install) Version", purchase the upgrade version
of your choice, then get a version of Win98 (which can be bought LEGALLY) on
the net, or at some PC stores for around $20-$50. You then use this as an
eligible upgrade path to XP during the installation prompt. This is totally
acceptable from Microsoft, since they list this version (as well as others)
as an eligible version to move to XP. You also may save between $40-$80 in
cost, and both versions are transferaable to another PC when you remove them
from the one they were installed originally. The rest of this help is good
help.

The difference between full and upgrade versions of XP (Pro and Home) are
$100.00!

> 2. Perform a "Clean Install".
> 3. Install all the Critical Updates (including SP1).
> 4. Install a comprehensive Internet Security program
> such as Norton Internet Security 2004.
> 5. When SP2 is released, you can easily install it.
> 6. You'll have no further significant issues with XP.
> 7. Your mental health will improve since you did the
> right thing by installing a legitimate version of XP.
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
> Be Smart! Protect your PC!
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "perfb" > wrote in message:
> om...
>
> | yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> | which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> | even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> | eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> |
> | So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
> |
> | > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average'
> user,
> | > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at
> least
> | > > as reliable as the original XP?
> | > >
> | > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> | > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> | > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has
> exactly a
> | > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> | > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> | > >
> | >
> | > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
> Windows
> | > XP.
> | > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
> |
> | hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> | snort!
> | and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> | fat chance, bubba.
> | I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
> |
> |
> | > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally
> purchased
> | > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines
> (until we
> | > release the product).
> | >
> | > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> | > software - it will not apply at all.
> |
> | but M$ has publically promised it will.
> | eventually.
> | evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
> |
> | >
> | > >
> | > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> | > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Tom,

Just one minor point.
The original poster will have to purchase multiple copies of both the
Windows XP product and if they are going down your upgrade route - they will
also need multiple copies of the product used to upgrade compliance check
from . This is because the reason the upgrade is cheaper is that it assume
a "paid for" license for the previous product. This previous license is
subsumed as part of the XP license during the upgrade so it not available to
be used on another machine, which would be necessary as the original poster
did say he had multiple machines running pirated software.

I highly suspect all of this is moot since in looking at the original
posters responses on this thread he has no interest in legitimising himself
or the use of a Windows XP Product with Product Activation.


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"Tom" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Here is the solution to your problem:
> >
> > 1. Purchase a legitimate "Full Version" of Windows XP.
>
> No, DO NOT purchase a "Full (install) Version", purchase the upgrade
version
> of your choice, then get a version of Win98 (which can be bought LEGALLY)
on
> the net, or at some PC stores for around $20-$50. You then use this as an
> eligible upgrade path to XP during the installation prompt. This is
totally
> acceptable from Microsoft, since they list this version (as well as
others)
> as an eligible version to move to XP. You also may save between $40-$80 in
> cost, and both versions are transferaable to another PC when you remove
them
> from the one they were installed originally. The rest of this help is good
> help.
>
> The difference between full and upgrade versions of XP (Pro and Home) are
> $100.00!
>
> > 2. Perform a "Clean Install".
> > 3. Install all the Critical Updates (including SP1).
> > 4. Install a comprehensive Internet Security program
> > such as Norton Internet Security 2004.
> > 5. When SP2 is released, you can easily install it.
> > 6. You'll have no further significant issues with XP.
> > 7. Your mental health will improve since you did the
> > right thing by installing a legitimate version of XP.
> >
> > --
> > Carey Frisch
> > Microsoft MVP
> > Windows XP - Shell/User
> >
> > Be Smart! Protect your PC!
> > http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> >
> > "perfb" > wrote in message:
> > om...
> >
> > | yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> > | which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> > | even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> > | eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> > |
> > | So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
> > |
> > | > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average'
> > user,
> > | > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at
> > least
> > | > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > | > >
> > | > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > | > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > | > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has
> > exactly a
> > | > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > | > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > | > >
> > | >
> > | > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
> > Windows
> > | > XP.
> > | > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your
PCs.
> > |
> > | hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> > | snort!
> > | and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> > | fat chance, bubba.
> > | I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such
stupidity.
> > |
> > |
> > | > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally
> > purchased
> > | > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines
> > (until we
> > | > release the product).
> > | >
> > | > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > | > software - it will not apply at all.
> > |
> > | but M$ has publically promised it will.
> > | eventually.
> > | evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
> > |
> > | >
> > | > >
> > | > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> > | > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.
>
>

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
Windows
> > XP.
> > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
>
> hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> snort!
> and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> fat chance, bubba.
> I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
>

If you have 5 or more machines running stolen/pirated/illegitimate software
and your only objection to using Windows XP legitimately is Product
Activation then you may be entitled to use Volume Licensed software which is
available for 5 or more licenses, and does not require over the wire Product
Activation.
see
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/pricingvolume.mspx
and
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/default.mspx

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> eventually work on FCKGW variants.
>
> So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
>
> > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > >
> > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly
a
> > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > >
> >
> > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
Windows
> > XP.
> > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
>
> hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> snort!
> and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> fat chance, bubba.
> I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
>
>
> > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
> > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until
we
> > release the product).
> >
> > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > software - it will not apply at all.
>
> but M$ has publically promised it will.
> eventually.
> evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
>
> >
> > >
> > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Tom]

"Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" > wrote in message
...
> Tom,
>
> Just one minor point.
> The original poster will have to purchase multiple copies of both the
> Windows XP product and if they are going down your upgrade route - they
> will
> also need multiple copies of the product used to upgrade compliance check
> from . This is because the reason the upgrade is cheaper is that it
> assume
> a "paid for" license for the previous product. This previous license is
> subsumed as part of the XP license during the upgrade so it not available
> to
> be used on another machine, which would be necessary as the original
> poster
> did say he had multiple machines running pirated software.
>
> I highly suspect all of this is moot since in looking at the original
> posters responses on this thread he has no interest in legitimising
> himself
> or the use of a Windows XP Product with Product Activation.
>

Of course this person isn't interested in being legal, and is using pirated
version (this person is also very wrong too!). But even then, multiple
purchases for his/her multiple PCs, it still would be cheaper.

But to add, Carey also needs to stop bashing non-MS products because of his
biased for it. it is certainly unprofessional for one to have the MS given
title to his purported help here. He does this, without ever having actually
using these products. I really don't see how he ever got those initials.

[perfb]

> You will have to see if you can steal Linux somewhere then.
>

I bought the full version of Suse Linux for 80$, it is
quite a wonderful product and looks a lot nicer than XP, imho,
not to mention the painless install, and the peace-of-mind
while surfing without all the Windows
anxiety about whether one is suficiently protected/firewalled
snd whether or not one's PC is constantly vacuuming virii and
adware whenever it is online.

I only keep XP for legacy apps like Quicken.
Perhaps the Linux Crossover/Wine app is the way to go
instead of waiting for M$, in its great beneficence,
to get around to bestowing SP2 on us unwashed masses .

Only 40$ for Linux Crossover, so I hear.

fwiw, I must have upwards of 20 legal copies of all the various
versions of M$ Windows, all pre-XP, from Win2.0 to Win3.1 to Win95/98NT/2k.

Given that, I consider that I have
sufficiently contributed to the retirement plans
of all the MVP's in this forum who have been so kind as to direct me
to pay yet more money to their retirement accounts via M$.

I even have a legal copy
of OfficeXP which goes unused due to the stupid
activation issue.

[perfb]

> > yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> > which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> > even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> > eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> >
> > So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
>
> We did not publicaly announce that the SP2 will work on yor stolen/pirated
> software.
> It will not - please stop using stolen/pirated software.

evidently I was reading old news, circa May 2004.

---------------------------------------
http://computertimes.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,5104,2292,00.html

"Microsoft's increasing concern over information security has
translated into its decision to bite the bullet and make its upcoming
SP2 (Service Pack 2) security patch available to all users - including
those using pirated copies of its Windows XP software. "

"We haven't explicitly done anything to SP2 to exclude it from pirated
copies," said Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe. The United
States-based executive was interviewed via telephone."
-------------------------------------------

Since May, M$ evidently has changed their mind yet again,
continuing in their trend of fundamental disregard for
internet security and avoiding responsibility for the consequences
of their product defects. I hope those product liability lawsuits
are gathering steam.


>
> From
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/security/sec1211.mspx
> Host: Mike_Nash (Microsoft)
> Q: Christian_Hougardy_MVP : Mike, we are slowly coming to our monthly
> question about patching illegal versions. Did you change your mind about it,
> or do we have to ask again ?
> A: This is a hard question Cristian. We have not changed our mind here.
> People with illegal copies cannot get updates from WU
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/security/sec0504.mspx
> Host: Mike Nash (Microsoft)
> Q: Thanks Mike. But how is Microsoft getting the message out to those end
> users? It does not seem like they are getting it
> A: It's a fair point Jim. I can't quote numbers, but a few things worthy of
> note. The number of people using WU is up a lot. We need it to be higher but
> the numbers are better. Overall, firewalls are being used more. The result
> is more customers having a good experience in worm events like Sasser. That
> said, getting people to install SP2 will be a very important opportunity for
> customers to be safer. We are going to be working hard to get as many people
> as possible to move to SP2. There have also been quite a few questions about
> SP2 on pirated machines. We will require a customer to have a legitimate
> copy of XP in order to install SP2.
>
> > > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> > > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> > > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > > >
> > > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly
> a
> > > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
> Windows
> > > XP.
> > > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
> >
> > hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> > snort!
> > and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> > fat chance, bubba.
>
> A whole one click of a mouse to activate - not exactly a ritual ?
>
> > I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
> >
>
> And also unable to be patched to protect you and everyone from various
> issues.
>
> >
> > > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
> > > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until
> we
> > > release the product).
> > >
> > > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > > software - it will not apply at all.
> >
> > but M$ has publically promised it will.
> > eventually.
> > evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
> >
>
> No we did not, see the quotes above.
> SP2 is for legitimate users of Windows XP only.
>
>
> --
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike
> --
> Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights
>
> Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
> newsgroups
>
> "perfb" > wrote in message
> om...
> > yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> > which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> > even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> > eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> >
> > So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
> >
> > > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average' user,
> > > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at least
> > > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > > >
> > > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has exactly
> a
> > > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
> Windows
> > > XP.
> > > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your PCs.
> >
> > hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> > snort!
> > and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> > fat chance, bubba.
> > I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such stupidity.
> >
> >
> > > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally purchased
> > > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines (until
> we
> > > release the product).
> > >
> > > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > > software - it will not apply at all.
> >
> > but M$ has publically promised it will.
> > eventually.
> > evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
> >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> > > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[johnf]

>> You will have to see if you can steal Linux somewhere then.
>>
>
> I bought the full version of Suse Linux for 80$, it is
> quite a wonderful product and looks a lot nicer than XP, imho,
> not to mention the painless install, and the peace-of-mind
> while surfing without all the Windows
> anxiety about whether one is suficiently protected/firewalled
> snd whether or not one's PC is constantly vacuuming virii and
> adware whenever it is online.
>
> I only keep XP for legacy apps like Quicken.

Well in that case, why do you need to d'load SP2?

> Perhaps the Linux Crossover/Wine app is the way to go
> instead of waiting for M$, in its great beneficence,
> to get around to bestowing SP2 on us unwashed masses .
>
> Only 40$ for Linux Crossover, so I hear.
>
> fwiw, I must have upwards of 20 legal copies of all the various
> versions of M$ Windows, all pre-XP, from Win2.0 to Win3.1 to
> Win95/98NT/2k.
>
> Given that, I consider that I have
> sufficiently contributed to the retirement plans
> of all the MVP's in this forum who have been so kind as to direct me
> to pay yet more money to their retirement accounts via M$.

To use the car analogy (which you appear to love), if you have bought 5 new
Fords in the past, Ford should now give you the latest model free (or let
you steal one from a showroom)?

>
> I even have a legal copy of OfficeXP which goes unused due to the stupid
> activation issue.

What issue is there with activation if you have a legal copy?

--
Puzzled

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> > > yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> > > which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> > > even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> > > eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> > >
> > > So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
> >
> > We did not publicaly announce that the SP2 will work on yor
stolen/pirated
> > software.
> > It will not - please stop using stolen/pirated software.
>
> evidently I was reading old news, circa May 2004.
>
> ---------------------------------------
> http://computertimes.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,5104,2292,00.html
>
> "Microsoft's increasing concern over information security has
> translated into its decision to bite the bullet and make its upcoming
> SP2 (Service Pack 2) security patch available to all users - including
> those using pirated copies of its Windows XP software. "
>
> "We haven't explicitly done anything to SP2 to exclude it from pirated
> copies," said Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe. The United
> States-based executive was interviewed via telephone."
> -------------------------------------------
>
> Since May, M$ evidently has changed their mind yet again,
> continuing in their trend of fundamental disregard for
> internet security and avoiding responsibility for the consequences
> of their product defects. I hope those product liability lawsuits
> are gathering steam.
>
>


We have a huge regard for Internet Security.
As we have said - SP2 will be available for all legitimate users of Windows
XP.
Your responsibility to the Internet and security is to stop using
stolen/pirated software, pay for what you use and then get SP2 installed on
all your legitimate machines as soon as it is released.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> > > yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> > > which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> > > even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> > > eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> > >
> > > So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
> >
> > We did not publicaly announce that the SP2 will work on yor
stolen/pirated
> > software.
> > It will not - please stop using stolen/pirated software.
>
> evidently I was reading old news, circa May 2004.
>
> ---------------------------------------
> http://computertimes.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,5104,2292,00.html
>
> "Microsoft's increasing concern over information security has
> translated into its decision to bite the bullet and make its upcoming
> SP2 (Service Pack 2) security patch available to all users - including
> those using pirated copies of its Windows XP software. "
>
> "We haven't explicitly done anything to SP2 to exclude it from pirated
> copies," said Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe. The United
> States-based executive was interviewed via telephone."
> -------------------------------------------
>
> Since May, M$ evidently has changed their mind yet again,
> continuing in their trend of fundamental disregard for
> internet security and avoiding responsibility for the consequences
> of their product defects. I hope those product liability lawsuits
> are gathering steam.
>
>
> >
> > From
> >
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/security/sec1211.mspx
> > Host: Mike_Nash (Microsoft)
> > Q: Christian_Hougardy_MVP : Mike, we are slowly coming to our monthly
> > question about patching illegal versions. Did you change your mind about
it,
> > or do we have to ask again ?
> > A: This is a hard question Cristian. We have not changed our mind here.
> > People with illegal copies cannot get updates from WU
> >
> >
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/security/sec0504.mspx
> > Host: Mike Nash (Microsoft)
> > Q: Thanks Mike. But how is Microsoft getting the message out to those
end
> > users? It does not seem like they are getting it
> > A: It's a fair point Jim. I can't quote numbers, but a few things worthy
of
> > note. The number of people using WU is up a lot. We need it to be higher
but
> > the numbers are better. Overall, firewalls are being used more. The
result
> > is more customers having a good experience in worm events like Sasser.
That
> > said, getting people to install SP2 will be a very important opportunity
for
> > customers to be safer. We are going to be working hard to get as many
people
> > as possible to move to SP2. There have also been quite a few questions
about
> > SP2 on pirated machines. We will require a customer to have a legitimate
> > copy of XP in order to install SP2.
> >
> > > > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average'
user,
> > > > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at
least
> > > > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > > > >
> > > > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has
exactly
> > a
> > > > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
> > Windows
> > > > XP.
> > > > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your
PCs.
> > >
> > > hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> > > snort!
> > > and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> > > fat chance, bubba.
> >
> > A whole one click of a mouse to activate - not exactly a ritual ?
> >
> > > I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such
stupidity.
> > >
> >
> > And also unable to be patched to protect you and everyone from various
> > issues.
> >
> > >
> > > > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally
purchased
> > > > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines
(until
> > we
> > > > release the product).
> > > >
> > > > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > > > software - it will not apply at all.
> > >
> > > but M$ has publically promised it will.
> > > eventually.
> > > evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
> > >
> >
> > No we did not, see the quotes above.
> > SP2 is for legitimate users of Windows XP only.
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Mike
> > --
> > Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]
> >
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> > rights
> >
> > Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
> > newsgroups
> >
> > "perfb" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > yes, quite so, the SP2 RC2 does not work on FCKGW,
> > > which I discovered after downloading all 260Mb of it,
> > > even though M$ has publically announced that SP2 will
> > > eventually work on FCKGW variants.
> > >
> > > So, evidently they are still getting around to it.
> > >
> > > > > just wondering what the consensus is on SP2 RC2 re the 'average'
user,
> > > > > is there a lot of issues/crashes/fubar going on? Or, is RC2 at
least
> > > > > as reliable as the original XP?
> > > > >
> > > > > I have a few FCKGw unlicensed XP boxes and would like to try RC2
> > > > > mainly for virus protection as it seems these days the virus
> > > > > writers are winning the game and the average Windows user has
exactly
> > a
> > > > > 0.000% chance of remaining uninfected, and a 100.000% chance of
> > > > > having an unusable XP box, within a week of doing surfing/email.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
> > Windows
> > > > XP.
> > > > I suggest you go out an buy a copy of Windows XP for each of your
PCs.
> > >
> > > hahahahahahahaha!!!!
> > > snort!
> > > and have to do some idiot activation ritual on each one?
> > > fat chance, bubba.
> > > I'd rather stick with FCKGW, which is blissfully free of such
stupidity.
> > >
> > >
> > > > Replace your pirated copies of Windows XP with the new legally
purchased
> > > > retail one and then apply the SP to your designated test machines
(until
> > we
> > > > release the product).
> > > >
> > > > The short answer is no SP2 does not work well on your stolen/pirated
> > > > software - it will not apply at all.
> > >
> > > but M$ has publically promised it will.
> > > eventually.
> > > evidently they are changing their minds all the time though ...
> > >
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > If a solid SP2 doesnt come out soon, Linux might really finally
> > > > > eat M$'s lunch, and we would all be better off for it.

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> > You will have to see if you can steal Linux somewhere then.
> >
>
<snip>
>
> I only keep XP for legacy apps like Quicken.
> Perhaps the Linux Crossover/Wine app is the way to go
> instead of waiting for M$, in its great beneficence,
> to get around to bestowing SP2 on us unwashed masses .
>

SP2 will be available to all legitimate users.
Stop using stolen/pirated software and you will not have any issues with
SP2.
Why do you think that you should receive a service packs for a product you
have no even paid for ?

As has been covered in my other responses - activation would not be a
problem if you require 5 or more licenses.
Also activation itself is pretty much 3 clicks of a mouse over the Internet
and you have still not answered why that is such an issue for you.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> > You will have to see if you can steal Linux somewhere then.
> >
>
> I bought the full version of Suse Linux for 80$, it is
> quite a wonderful product and looks a lot nicer than XP, imho,
> not to mention the painless install, and the peace-of-mind
> while surfing without all the Windows
> anxiety about whether one is suficiently protected/firewalled
> snd whether or not one's PC is constantly vacuuming virii and
> adware whenever it is online.
>
> I only keep XP for legacy apps like Quicken.
> Perhaps the Linux Crossover/Wine app is the way to go
> instead of waiting for M$, in its great beneficence,
> to get around to bestowing SP2 on us unwashed masses .
>
> Only 40$ for Linux Crossover, so I hear.
>
> fwiw, I must have upwards of 20 legal copies of all the various
> versions of M$ Windows, all pre-XP, from Win2.0 to Win3.1 to
Win95/98NT/2k.
>
> Given that, I consider that I have
> sufficiently contributed to the retirement plans
> of all the MVP's in this forum who have been so kind as to direct me
> to pay yet more money to their retirement accounts via M$.
>
> I even have a legal copy
> of OfficeXP which goes unused due to the stupid
> activation issue.

[Tom]

"perfb" > wrote in message
om...

>
> Given that, I consider that I have
> sufficiently contributed to the retirement plans
> of all the MVP's in this forum who have been so kind as to direct me
> to pay yet more money to their retirement accounts via M$.

The MVPs here dare not in the employ of MS, nor dp they, or will they get
retirement benefits from MS.

> I even have a legal copy
> of OfficeXP which goes unused due to the stupid
> activation issue.

LOL, you complain about the cost of Windows, yet do not use it because of
your unsubstantiated reasons why you can't.

[perfb]

> Why do you think that you should receive a service packs for a product you
> have no even paid for ?
>

because I read that M$ had announced it was making SP2 available to all.

http://slashdot.org/articles/04/05/09/142203.shtml?tid=201

Evidently, there has been a purge/pogrom in the M$ politburo
and history has now been rewritten and all such statements
are now consigned to memoryhole.org.

or, according to TheRegister, perhaps what the M$ minister of
disinformation really meant
was that the old SP1 keygen approach still works with SP2.

I, for one, will be too busy enjoying Suse Linux with Crossover to care
what new vulnerabilities, exploits, and spyware have been introduced
with XP SP2.

have fun cooking up new marketing slogans, and inventing new
propietary versions of other's innovations in order to ensure
customer/victim lock-in.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Next time find a more reliable source of information
as apparently you believe anything published on a website.
And BTW, the abbreviation for Microsoft is MSFT, and
not M$, as you so adolescently tend to use.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"perfb" > wrote in message:
om...

|> Why do you think that you should receive a service packs for a product you
| > have no even paid for ?
| >
|
| because I read that M$ had announced it was making SP2 available to all.
|
| http://slashdot.org/articles/04/05/09/142203.shtml?tid=201
|
| Evidently, there has been a purge/pogrom in the M$ politburo
| and history has now been rewritten and all such statements
| are now consigned to memoryhole.org.
|
| or, according to TheRegister, perhaps what the M$ minister of
| disinformation really meant
| was that the old SP1 keygen approach still works with SP2.
|
| I, for one, will be too busy enjoying Suse Linux with Crossover to care
| what new vulnerabilities, exploits, and spyware have been introduced
| with XP SP2.
|
| have fun cooking up new marketing slogans, and inventing new
| propietary versions of other's innovations in order to ensure
| customer/victim lock-in.

[Tom]

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" > wrote in message
...

> And BTW, the abbreviation for Microsoft is MSFT, and
> not M$, as you so adolescently tend to use.

Microsoft does us MS as their initials in many instances. Not only just MS,
MSN (Microsoft Network), MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network), etc. You never
see MSFTN (as opposed to MSN) do you? MSFT is their stock abbreviation in
their various Wall street deviison listing (NASDAQ, NYSE). Do you ever find
anything funny or find any fault with MS at all? Or is that the same as
blasphemy in your (MS) bible?

Its funny as a true MS zealot that you are, you don't know this!

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Actually, you've only quoted other sources who say Microsoft will
allow pirates to install SP2; I haven't seen anything directly from
Microsoft to this affect. (And anyone who trusts the Register as a
source of accurate information, particularly concerning software and
Microsoft, is really in for a shock, someday.)

And, just out of curiosity, is your SuSE Linux fully patched?
When I installed the newest version (9.1) last week, I then had to
download and install 41 security patches. (I'm not anti-Linux, by any
means, but no one should ever believe that _any_ OS is bullet-proof.)


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH


"perfb" > wrote in message
om...
> > Why do you think that you should receive a service packs for a
product you
> > have no even paid for ?
> >
>
> because I read that M$ had announced it was making SP2 available to
all.
>
> http://slashdot.org/articles/04/05/09/142203.shtml?tid=201
>
> Evidently, there has been a purge/pogrom in the M$ politburo
> and history has now been rewritten and all such statements
> are now consigned to memoryhole.org.
>
> or, according to TheRegister, perhaps what the M$ minister of
> disinformation really meant
> was that the old SP1 keygen approach still works with SP2.
>
> I, for one, will be too busy enjoying Suse Linux with Crossover to
care
> what new vulnerabilities, exploits, and spyware have been introduced
> with XP SP2.
>

[perfb]

"Bruce Chambers" > wrote in message >...
> Greetings --
>
> Actually, you've only quoted other sources who say Microsoft will
> allow pirates to install SP2; I haven't seen anything directly from
> Microsoft to this affect.

actually reading the links, one reads as follows:

"We haven't explicitly done anything to SP2 to exclude it from pirated
copies," said Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe."


> (And anyone who trusts the Register as a
> source of accurate information, particularly concerning software and
> Microsoft, is really in for a shock, someday.)
>

yawn

> And, just out of curiosity, is your SuSE Linux fully patched?

probably not.

> When I installed the newest version (9.1) last week, I then had to
> download and install 41 security patches. (I'm not anti-Linux, by any
> means, but no one should ever believe that _any_ OS is bullet-proof.)
>
>

yep

> Bruce Chambers
> --
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> having both at once. - RAH
>
>
> "perfb" > wrote in message
> om...
> > > Why do you think that you should receive a service packs for a
> product you
> > > have no even paid for ?
> > >
> >
> > because I read that M$ had announced it was making SP2 available to
> all.
> >
> > http://slashdot.org/articles/04/05/09/142203.shtml?tid=201
> >
> > Evidently, there has been a purge/pogrom in the M$ politburo
> > and history has now been rewritten and all such statements
> > are now consigned to memoryhole.org.
> >
> > or, according to TheRegister, perhaps what the M$ minister of
> > disinformation really meant
> > was that the old SP1 keygen approach still works with SP2.
> >
> > I, for one, will be too busy enjoying Suse Linux with Crossover to
> care
> > what new vulnerabilities, exploits, and spyware have been introduced
> > with XP SP2.
> >

[newton klea]

"Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" > wrote in message
>
> Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of Windows
> XP.

not true! i own a oem version of xp that came with my laptop. after
installing xp sp2 last week my laptop is dead as door nail when it
comes to connectivity to outside world. i can connect to my wireless
admin port and internal webserver just fine but when i attempt to go
outside ie just sitting there doing blank page stare...no time out or
anything. disable proxy that came with sp2 is no help neither. if i
boot up my pc with no wlan card and then pluck it in later the linksys
not even assign me an ip. before i can do wlan card insert before,
during or after the boot up and i was ready to go. my immediate choice
is to back out this crap...even backing out it screwed up all of my
previous setting. my concern right now is to get internet connectivity
so i haven't test all of my other apps yet. sad that i'm spending time
to fix what this piece of crap is doing to my computer. my advice, if
you have no problem with your computer security, skip this upgrade.
you probably need a phd in cs to make this work. a simple proxy and
virus scan apps from third party work better than what ms is giving
us.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You installed SP2 "beta" and as such it is not the final version.
Beta programs often have bugs or compatibility issues, that's
why one should not install it on anything but a "test machine".
You really should "skip" installing beta software unless you
understand the ramifications of installing beta software.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"newton klea" > wrote in message:
m...

| not true! i own a oem version of xp that came with my laptop. after
| installing xp sp2 last week my laptop is dead as door nail when it
| comes to connectivity to outside world. i can connect to my wireless
| admin port and internal webserver just fine but when i attempt to go
| outside ie just sitting there doing blank page stare...no time out or
| anything. disable proxy that came with sp2 is no help neither. if i
| boot up my pc with no wlan card and then pluck it in later the linksys
| not even assign me an ip. before i can do wlan card insert before,
| during or after the boot up and i was ready to go. my immediate choice
| is to back out this crap...even backing out it screwed up all of my
| previous setting. my concern right now is to get internet connectivity
| so i haven't test all of my other apps yet. sad that i'm spending time
| to fix what this piece of crap is doing to my computer. my advice, if
| you have no problem with your computer security, skip this upgrade.
| you probably need a phd in cs to make this work. a simple proxy and
| virus scan apps from third party work better than what ms is giving
| us.

[Donald McDaniel]

"newton klea" > wrote in message
m
> "Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" > wrote in
> message
>>
>> Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
>> Windows XP.
>
> not true! i own a oem version of xp that came with my laptop. after
> installing xp sp2 last week my laptop is dead as door nail when it
> comes to connectivity to outside world. i can connect to my wireless
> admin port and internal webserver just fine but when i attempt to go
> outside ie just sitting there doing blank page stare...no time out or
> anything. disable proxy that came with sp2 is no help neither. if i
> boot up my pc with no wlan card and then pluck it in later the linksys
> not even assign me an ip. before i can do wlan card insert before,
> during or after the boot up and i was ready to go. my immediate choice
> is to back out this crap...even backing out it screwed up all of my
> previous setting. my concern right now is to get internet connectivity
> so i haven't test all of my other apps yet. sad that i'm spending time
> to fix what this piece of crap is doing to my computer. my advice, if
> you have no problem with your computer security, skip this upgrade.
> you probably need a phd in cs to make this work. a simple proxy and
> virus scan apps from third party work better than what ms is giving
> us.

Why don't these people ever use proper puctuation in their rambles?

Haven't you ever heard of separating your thoughts by using short, concise
paragraphs?
Haven't you ever heard of using commas or semi-colons to separate clauses?
Have you never heard of the convention of using two spaces to separate
sentences?
Didn't you know that the first word in a sentence is always capitalized?
The personal pronoun, "I", should always be capitalized.
Use a semi-colon (";") instead of an ellipsis ("...") to separate complex
sentences.
Use "an" before words which begin with a vowel.
"Pluck" is a verb meaning "pull" or "pick up", not "put"
"Disable proxy" at the beginning of a sentence implies the presence of a
second person to whom you are speaking a command. The proper clause should
be "Disabling the proxy...") Notice the correct use of an ellipsis: to show
that more text follows, but is not quoted.

By the way, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Release Candidate 2 works perfectly
well on my system, and probably on the systems of a hundred thousand other
persons.

The web page which contains links to download XP SP2, RC2 contains
instructions which state that the Release Candidate is beta software, and
should not be installed on your working system.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[gls858]

Donald McDaniel wrote:

> "newton klea" > wrote in message
> m
>
>>"Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" > wrote in
>>message
>>
>>>Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
>>>Windows XP.
>>
>>not true! i own a oem version of xp that came with my laptop. after
>>installing xp sp2 last week my laptop is dead as door nail when it
>>comes to connectivity to outside world. i can connect to my wireless
>>admin port and internal webserver just fine but when i attempt to go
>>outside ie just sitting there doing blank page stare...no time out or
>>anything. disable proxy that came with sp2 is no help neither. if i
>>boot up my pc with no wlan card and then pluck it in later the linksys
>>not even assign me an ip. before i can do wlan card insert before,
>>during or after the boot up and i was ready to go. my immediate choice
>>is to back out this crap...even backing out it screwed up all of my
>>previous setting. my concern right now is to get internet connectivity
>>so i haven't test all of my other apps yet. sad that i'm spending time
>>to fix what this piece of crap is doing to my computer. my advice, if
>>you have no problem with your computer security, skip this upgrade.
>>you probably need a phd in cs to make this work. a simple proxy and
>>virus scan apps from third party work better than what ms is giving
>>us.
>
>
> Why don't these people ever use proper puctuation in their rambles?
>
> Haven't you ever heard of separating your thoughts by using short, concise
> paragraphs?
> Haven't you ever heard of using commas or semi-colons to separate clauses?
> Have you never heard of the convention of using two spaces to separate
> sentences?
> Didn't you know that the first word in a sentence is always capitalized?
> The personal pronoun, "I", should always be capitalized.
> Use a semi-colon (";") instead of an ellipsis ("...") to separate complex
> sentences.
> Use "an" before words which begin with a vowel.
> "Pluck" is a verb meaning "pull" or "pick up", not "put"
> "Disable proxy" at the beginning of a sentence implies the presence of a
> second person to whom you are speaking a command. The proper clause should
> be "Disabling the proxy...") Notice the correct use of an ellipsis: to show
> that more text follows, but is not quoted.
>
> By the way, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Release Candidate 2 works perfectly
> well on my system, and probably on the systems of a hundred thousand other
> persons.
>
> The web page which contains links to download XP SP2, RC2 contains
> instructions which state that the Release Candidate is beta software, and
> should not be installed on your working system.
>
Hey, maybe the guy is e.e.cummings :-)

gls858

[Donald McDaniel]

"gls858" > wrote in message

> Donald McDaniel wrote:
>
>> "newton klea" > wrote in message
>> m
>>
>>> "Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" > wrote in
>>> message
>>>
>>>> Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
>>>> Windows XP.
>>>
>>> not true! i own a oem version of xp that came with my laptop. after
>>> installing xp sp2 last week my laptop is dead as door nail when it
>>> comes to connectivity to outside world. i can connect to my wireless
>>> admin port and internal webserver just fine but when i attempt to go
>>> outside ie just sitting there doing blank page stare...no time out
>>> or anything. disable proxy that came with sp2 is no help neither.
>>> if i boot up my pc with no wlan card and then pluck it in later the
>>> linksys not even assign me an ip. before i can do wlan card insert
>>> before, during or after the boot up and i was ready to go. my
>>> immediate choice is to back out this crap...even backing out it
>>> screwed up all of my previous setting. my concern right now is to
>>> get internet connectivity so i haven't test all of my other apps
>>> yet. sad that i'm spending time to fix what this piece of crap is
>>> doing to my computer. my advice, if you have no problem with your
>>> computer security, skip this upgrade. you probably need a phd in cs
>>> to make this work. a simple proxy and virus scan apps from third
>>> party work better than what ms is giving us.
>>
>>
>> Why don't these people ever use proper puctuation in their rambles?
>>
>> Haven't you ever heard of separating your thoughts by using short,
>> concise paragraphs?
>> Haven't you ever heard of using commas or semi-colons to separate
>> clauses? Have you never heard of the convention of using two spaces
>> to separate sentences?
>> Didn't you know that the first word in a sentence is always
>> capitalized? The personal pronoun, "I", should always be capitalized.
>> Use a semi-colon (";") instead of an ellipsis ("...") to separate
>> complex sentences.
>> Use "an" before words which begin with a vowel.
>> "Pluck" is a verb meaning "pull" or "pick up", not "put"
>> "Disable proxy" at the beginning of a sentence implies the presence
>> of a second person to whom you are speaking a command. The proper
>> clause should be "Disabling the proxy...") Notice the correct use
>> of an ellipsis: to show that more text follows, but is not quoted.
>>
>> By the way, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Release Candidate 2 works
>> perfectly well on my system, and probably on the systems of a
>> hundred thousand other persons.
>>
>> The web page which contains links to download XP SP2, RC2 contains
>> instructions which state that the Release Candidate is beta
>> software, and should not be installed on your working system.
>>
> Hey, maybe the guy is e.e.cummings :-)
>
> gls858

I never read any of E. E. Cummings' poetry. I can make no judgment about
his use of the English language.

However, from what I've heard of E.E. Cummings, this guy is no E. E.
Cummings.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[gls858]

Donald McDaniel wrote:
> "gls858" > wrote in message
>
>
>>Donald McDaniel wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"newton klea" > wrote in message
m
>>>
>>>
>>>>"Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" > wrote in
>>>>message
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Windows XP SP2 works perfectly well with legally licensed copies of
>>>>>Windows XP.
>>>>
>>>>not true! i own a oem version of xp that came with my laptop. after
>>>>installing xp sp2 last week my laptop is dead as door nail when it
>>>>comes to connectivity to outside world. i can connect to my wireless
>>>>admin port and internal webserver just fine but when i attempt to go
>>>>outside ie just sitting there doing blank page stare...no time out
>>>>or anything. disable proxy that came with sp2 is no help neither.
>>>>if i boot up my pc with no wlan card and then pluck it in later the
>>>>linksys not even assign me an ip. before i can do wlan card insert
>>>>before, during or after the boot up and i was ready to go. my
>>>>immediate choice is to back out this crap...even backing out it
>>>>screwed up all of my previous setting. my concern right now is to
>>>>get internet connectivity so i haven't test all of my other apps
>>>>yet. sad that i'm spending time to fix what this piece of crap is
>>>>doing to my computer. my advice, if you have no problem with your
>>>>computer security, skip this upgrade. you probably need a phd in cs
>>>>to make this work. a simple proxy and virus scan apps from third
>>>>party work better than what ms is giving us.
>>>
>>>
>>>Why don't these people ever use proper puctuation in their rambles?
>>>
>>>Haven't you ever heard of separating your thoughts by using short,
>>>concise paragraphs?
>>>Haven't you ever heard of using commas or semi-colons to separate
>>>clauses? Have you never heard of the convention of using two spaces
>>>to separate sentences?
>>>Didn't you know that the first word in a sentence is always
>>>capitalized? The personal pronoun, "I", should always be capitalized.
>>>Use a semi-colon (";") instead of an ellipsis ("...") to separate
>>>complex sentences.
>>>Use "an" before words which begin with a vowel.
>>>"Pluck" is a verb meaning "pull" or "pick up", not "put"
>>>"Disable proxy" at the beginning of a sentence implies the presence
>>>of a second person to whom you are speaking a command. The proper
>>>clause should be "Disabling the proxy...") Notice the correct use
>>>of an ellipsis: to show that more text follows, but is not quoted.
>>>
>>>By the way, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Release Candidate 2 works
>>>perfectly well on my system, and probably on the systems of a
>>>hundred thousand other persons.
>>>
>>>The web page which contains links to download XP SP2, RC2 contains
>>>instructions which state that the Release Candidate is beta
>>>software, and should not be installed on your working system.
>>>
>>
>>Hey, maybe the guy is e.e.cummings :-)
>>
>>gls858
>
>
> I never read any of E. E. Cummings' poetry. I can make no judgment about
> his use of the English language.
>
> However, from what I've heard of E.E. Cummings, this guy is no E. E.
> Cummings.
>
One of cummings quirks was didn't use capitals or punctuation.
At least that's what I remember from ages back :-)

gls858

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In ,
gls858 > typed:

> One of cummings quirks was didn't use capitals or punctuation.
> At least that's what I remember from ages back :-)


Not quite. e. e. cummings spelled his name without capitals, but
with periods after the initials. His verse generally used most
punctuation marks (commas, etc.) but had few periods (but some)
and few capitals (but also some)

And his novel "The Enormous Room" used regular typography; there
was nothing particularly strange about the use of capitals or
punctuation there.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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