can someone explain why i need this update and what it actually does?

[robin]

I am confused after reading the explanation that ms gives for this update
what does it do?

Update package that includes Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
version 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1 is available for Windows XP

thanks
robin

--

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I am confused after reading the explanation that ms gives for this update
what does it do?

Update package that includes Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
version 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1 is available for Windows XP

These updates will be used by future versions of Windows Update. It
includes new features that help improve the security and flexibility of
the downloads that come from windowsupdate, or any application that uses
the background intelligent transfer service.

More information can be found at:

Update package that includes Background Intelligent Transfer Service
(BITS) version 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1 is available for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=842773

An update is available for Background Intelligent Transfer Service
(BITS) 2.0 for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=842309

These updates are available now and will also be included as part of the
forthcoming SP2 for Windows XP.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP MCE
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[robin]

do i really it need it now or can I just wait for sp2?
thanks
robin

 

[R. McCarty]

It's your choice. You have a situation with a known exposure & a
available fix/work-around. Waiting to install it is a risk that you can
avoid. It's like driving around on a known bad tire, while you've got
a spare tire handy.
I wouldn't use SP2 as a fallback. While a August 4th date for RTM
is "Sort of, Maybe - Perhaps" firming up - It's always subject to a
delay.
I don't understand your hesitancy to apply these patches - have you
had bad experiences with previous Windows Updates ?

 

[robin]

on occasion I have, and I always like to know what I am installing before i
go and install it and it messes up my computer. As you can see here in this
newsgroup alot have problems after installs, better to be safe than sorry.
thanks
robin

 

[R. McCarty]

To preclude that from happening - investigate/invest in an Imaging
program (Drive Image, True Image, BootITng). Or at the least use
System Restore. Nothing that you ever install is guaranteed to be
issue free. The permutations of Hardware/Software & customizations
makes it impossible to have something work 100%, 100% of the
time.
I do understand your concern. But if a machine has proper drivers
& applications that are fully XP compliant - most Critical updates
shouldn't have a negative effect. Microsoft is well aware of the idea
that their patches "Break Stuff". That's essentially why SP2 is taking
such a long time to prove-in and release. The last thing they want is
some kind of slip up that lets a major issue get past them.
But when SP2 hits, this newsgroup will light up like a Pinball
machine with all the "I Can't -or- It' Doesn't work anymore" postings.
Mainly because people won't read the documentation on the changes.

 

[Hilary Karp]

I've installed it. No problems.

on occasion I have, and I always like to know what I am installing before i
go and install it and it messes up my computer. As you can see here in this
newsgroup alot have problems after installs, better to be safe than sorry.
thanks
robin

 

[Hilary Karp]

Also this update is removable through Add/Remove programs.