InBox

Welcome to InBox, where we attempt to answer your internet questions.


Q. XP Service Pack 2, currently rolling out via Windows XP auto update.

A. Brett Roberts from Microsoft has kindly allowed me to quote his letter where he explains that the auto-update process will be a staged process, so as not to overburden the internet highways. He has also confirmed there was an issue between SP2 and Norton Antivirus, but Norton last week addressed that incompatibility via their update system (as have many other software vendors).

Roberts also wrote: "The version download via the update process will be smaller than the full network administration install and the total size will vary depending on previous updates the user may have already installed. In addition, SP2 CDs will be available in late August or early September (via PC World magazine initially) and in late August a website will go live allowing people to order the CDs online for delivery to their mailbox (at zero cost). Delivery of these CDs will be approximately four weeks after ordering."

Users wanting SP2 but who have not configured automatic update should go to Start/All Programs/Windows update and follow Microsoft's instructions.

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Q. The Outlook Express "Unsafe attachment" message returns. John is one of many readers to contact Inbox this week about the program blocking access to attachments it interprets as being potentially unsafe.

A. It's an old issue, John. During a spate of email borne virus-infected attachments, Microsoft blocked any attachments (via a security patch) that could possibly contain a virus.

This didn't mean they actually contained one, just that it was possible.

The immediate effect was to slow the infection rate at the time. If you run reliable virus protection you can remove this block. In Outlook Express go to Tools/Options/Security and remove the tick from "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened if they could potentially be a virus".

* A word to the wise: I personally leave this block on! Unless you are expecting to receive these files, are positive they are safe, or run solid virus protection, don't mess with this setting.


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