I have to echo Jim AD1C's comments:
I too have been running Windows XP with SP2,
including pre-release (test) versions for quite
some time and have done so without any issues, etc.
It runs just fine in both my home (multi-system)
and corporate environs ...
SP2 does implement numerous additional (read: new)
security features ... and in some cases, you have
to use the security centre to adjust settings to
allow applications to continue to work.
And in a few cases - as AD1C noted - there may be
applications that are broken by SP2 ... but that
is typically because they likely use unsupported
techniques, etc.
Its unfortunate that there are a lot of people who
are spreading misinformation like what this vendor
is saying. Too bad there are folks who unfortunately
hear this message and assume it is accurate ...
I'm not aware of any cites that would prove XP SP2
is "know to be defective" ...
FWIW, when I'm asked I strongly recommend that people
consider installing Windows XP SP2 - but with this caveat:
IMO, Microsoft should have called this Windows 2004.
It represents a number of major changes and enhancements
which will help protect end user systems from attack and
abuse as well as improve the overall user experience.
As with any major system upgrade, users should carefully
read all applicable information to determine what effect,
if any, the upgrade will have on their system.
In the case of Windows XP SP2 this should include a review
of installed programs ... to see what impact SP2 will have
on those applications. In many cases, there are post SP2
installation tasks that are necessary to ensure that your
applications continue to operate as expected.
For the inconvenience that SP2 may pose on people,
it does provide a wealth of not only accumulated
bug fixes but additional enhancements that will
help reduce the large number of systems that are
subject to attack via vulnerabilities and worms/viruses.
Alas - the current "normal" operation of Windows XP
allows systems to be easily exploited ... and SP2
helps move in a direction where users' systems are
less likely to be abused.
Too bad this computer vendor hasn't taken the time
to investigate and learn what SP2 is all about.
73
Bob W1QA
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