Windows XP - Service Pack 2 Configuration
This document tells you what computer configurations may be necessary after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2.
If the computer you use has ben updated by ITS or another administrator, some of these steps may already have been completed.
After installing Windows XP SP2
- Reboot the computer (verify first that all documents have been saved, if necessary).
- Log in to Novell/Windows as normal.
- The Windows Security Center will be displayed after Windows finishes loading.
- Verify that the firewall, automatic updates and virus protection are all ON.
- If they are not on, complete the steps necessary to resolve
the problem--such as installing anti virus software or updating
your anti virus software.
- Close the security center and continue using your computer as normal.
What to do about security alerts you haven't seen before
- Windows SP2 has an enhanced firewall that will alert you if a program attempts to use the Internet.
- Programs, such as Novell, that utilize the Internet will trigger a security message that is shown below.
7. If it is a program you recognize and use (or if it is dpmw32 as shown for Novell), you can click the Unblock button.
8. **NOTE** If you do not recognize the name of the program that is trying to access the Internet, we suggest you consult with your computer administrator (i.e. NSDU-ITS or UND-ITSS) before unblocking a program.
What to do about Internet Explorer alerts you haven't seen before
- Internet Explorer has additional security notifications, which are displayed in the "Information Bar."
- When information is displayed in this "Information Bar" underneath the address bar, a notification will be displayed to alert you.
9. Click OK in the notification window and read the information provided in the Information Bar.
- Internet Explorer now has a built-in pop-up blocker.
- On occasion, blocking a pop-up breaks the normal functionality of a web page. i.e. in cases where a log-in box is displayed in a separate pop-up window.
- If a pop-up window is blocked, the Information Bar will display a notification.
10. If you want to temporarily allow the pop-up, click the Information Bar and select Temporarily Allow Pop-ups.
11. To prevent this message from being displayed in the Information Bar in the future, click the Information Bar and select Settings > Show Information Bar for Pop-Ups (this will un-check the option).
12. If you want to permanently disable pop-up blocking, click on the Information Bar and select Settings > Turn Off Pop-up Blocker.
13. Internet Explorer now provides additional warnings when attempting to download files from the Internet.
14. The download functionality works the same as before, except that the download window has a new appearance.
15. To download a file, click Save and to execute/open a file, click Run.
16. Internet Explorer may block downloads that do not have a file extension that matches the file content.
17. For example, if you go to a web page that ends in .html but it tries to download a program ending in .exe on to your computer, Internet Explorer may block this for your protection.
18. The Information Bar will display that a file has attempted to download.
19. To download the file, click on the Information Bar and choose Download.
20. On occasion, extra "plug-ins" need to be installed in order for a web page to be displayed properly.
21. Internet Explorer will now notify you in the Information Bar.
22. To install a plug-in, click on the Information Bar and select Install.
23. **NOTE** If you do not recognize the name of the program that is trying to install, we suggest you contact your computer administrator (i.e. NSDU-ITS or UND-ITSS) before installing a plug-in.
