Notes on Windows XP Service Pack 2, various other recent Microsoft Critical Updates, and Scala IC3 Release 7.2+
Based on Scala's internal testing to date, there are no known issues
with Windows XP SP2 and Scala IC3 Release 7.2. On a properly configured
PC, Scala IC3 R7.2 runs as intended on WXPsp2.
PLEASE NOTE: "On a properly configured PC!" Service Pack 2
introduces some system complexities with regard to Network
Configuration. The IT Administrator/Technical User responsible for
systems running IC3 should be aware of the proper TCP Firewall settings
for their specific network.
Microsoft has published several useful "White Papers" and some helpful WWW-Sites/Pages on this topic:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;%5BLN%5D;835935
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=884130
Several "3rd Parties" have also published very helpful Web Pages on the topic of WXPsp2:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/
http://www.jsiinc.com/Tipndx/Recent.htm
http://www.winnetmag.com/Departments/Index.cfm?DepartmentID=855&PubID=16
Other recent Microsoft Component Updates:
DirectX 9.0c - This is the current release of the Microsoft
Video/Audio API on which Scala's functionality depends. This update
incorporates several earlier "Hotfixes" which were important for proper
Scala IC3 function. This is a recommended update.
Windows Media Player 10 - This is the "latest and greatest" version
of Windows Media Player. Its enhancements are primarily centered
around:
Digital Rights Management: Transferring/(Restricting the transfer
of) Music/Video files to other computers & external devices, (i.e.
"iPods" and the like); and the support of Microsoft's new Online Music
Store. There is no functionality in this release that, as of yet, would
be of any value to a current IC3 system. This update is currently NOT
recommended.
".NET Framework v.1.1" and the ".NET Framework v.1.1 Service Pack 1" --
Scala's products currently have no need for the ".NET Framework".
Its presence or absence would have no impact on the functionality of
the Scala IC3 Products. Matrox and ATI have started to use ".NET" for
their video driver Control Panel Applications. Nether company's video
drivers require ".NET"--however their [Advanced] configuration panels
do use its functionality. We have noted in our testing lab that the
installation of ".NET Framework v.1.1 Service Pack 1" on a WXPsp2
system can lead to a critical failure on some systems. To resolve this
issue it is necessary to
completely uninstall ".NET Framework v.1.1" from "Add/Remove
Programs"; reboot; and then re-install ".NET Framework v.1.1" and ".NET
Framework v.1.1 Service Pack 1."
The Microsoft JEPG/GDI+ Parser - Microsoft has issued a "Critical"
advisory for all systems running Windows XP. There is a defect in the
Microsoft software that reads JPEG image files. Scala's products do NOT
use this Microsoft component. HOWEVER: Basically everything from
Microsoft does use this software. Windows Explorer in "Thumbnail View";
Internet Explorer 6; OfficeXP; Visual Studio, etc. Due to this defect
it is now possible for a computer to become virus infected by simply
viewing a JPEG image. Scala
strongly encourages that "Authoring" workstations be patched as soon as is practical.
For more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200409_jpeg.mspx
