Dell Tech Support recommends against loading SP2

[pjp]

I just installed a brand new 8400 Dimension. The problems that I DID have
with the new Dell was caused by the Norton Internet Security sweet that
was
installed onto the PC, (no way around it???). That app alone caused the
network of 5 PC's to stop working and then it caused the DSL modem to stop
working.

Releoaded a copy of XP Pro without all of the Dell apps and everything
works
fine now, and I have updated the system with all of the Windows patches
etc...

I have heard this from so many people that know nothing about working on
their PC's...it is a farce and YES you do need SP2 for security reasons.
Of course people hear the horror stories and then.....

Here is the really scarey part. In a room of 5 people, I was the only one
that knew anything about how to protect yourself on the Internet and how
to
keep your system clean and free of Spyware, etc. 4 out of 5 didn't know
what I was talking about...
George

What's so surprising about that. That's exactly what MS has desired all
along, e.g. idiots that just go along with it. Myself, I find it amazing
that the worlds business is actually being trusted to the current state of
software. Personally, I get a big chuckle every time I hear of some new
virus, exploit or whatever as IMHO it's about time the whole bloody thing
came crashing down around everyone's head. Then maybe just maybe they'd go
back to square one and do it right from the beginning.

The basic design principle of wrapping up everything into the OS is showing
it's weakness and this continued trying to patch the holes is becoming a
joke.

 

[Tom]

Dell does not have that policy, and here is a response I got from them
concerning support for pre-SP2 systems purchased from them that are still
warrantied, regarding installing SP2 on the system, (I simply posited the
question to them after reading this thread):

"If I understand your issue correctly, you want to know that whether we
offer support on systems that have installed Service Pack 2 and have a valid
warranty but were originally having Service Pack 1.

Tom, I assure you that we do offer support on systems that have been
upgraded to Service Pack 2 and were originally shipped with Service Pack 1
and do have a valid warranty. "

I think you're right, certain tech(s) at Dell are (may be) giving opinion,
when they should be giving help.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Tom;
I have seen similar posts about dell and the others recommending against a
Service Pack.
I usually respond similarly.
No one has ever come back with a direct link that can be attributed to any
major OEM.
Until they do, I attribute it to incompetent or lazy techs.

 

[Tom]

Until they do, I attribute it to incompetent or lazy techs.

Or, people using an excuse to their woes from installing SP2, by claiming
the citings of those (techs) who really may not have.

 

[John E. Carty]

When I worked for Sony support in Florida it was policy to advise the users
not to install SP2, and if anyone called in with issues after installing SP2
the standard response was to have then uninstall it

 

[Dwight Stewart]

(snip) Personally, I get a big chuckle every
time I hear of some new virus, exploit or
whatever as IMHO it's about time the whole
bloody thing came crashing down around
everyone's head. Then maybe just maybe
they'd go back to square one and do it right
from the beginning.

And what exactly is "right?" I hear this all the time but have yet to
figure out what is being talked about. I don't know of any operating system,
however built, that hasn't shared similar problems with "holes," viruses and
so on. In fact, I don't think there is a way at this point, with independant
software development and so on, to write an operating system without at
least some vulnerabilities. The dominance of Windows makes it a prime
target, with a proportional share of viruses, just as the dominance of any
other operating system would make it a prime target with a similar share of
viruses.

Microsoft has taken laudable steps to improve the situation with the
affirmative delivery of critical updates and the release of SP2. I suspect
we'll see further actions from them in the future. And we'll also see
additional improvements to the situation as users become more
aware/educated, avoiding suspect email, downloads, and visits to
questionable web sites.

In the end, the most desirable move at this point, in my opinion, would be
to strongly go after, both in criminal and civil courts, those who produce
and distribute viruses. This could be accomplished through individual
manufacturers, class action civil suits by users, and additional legislation
by government - preferably all combined.

Stewart