Known Issues in Service Pack 2

With any major upgrade of an operating system, there are going to be new features which may cause some problems with existing programs.  Microsoft has a page at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242&product=windowsxpsp2 which lists known issues with programs running under SP2. 

Listed below are some issues specific to the University of Iowa that we have discovered during our testing of SP2.  We will continue to add to and update this list as we learn more about SP2.

Internet Explorer Pop-Up Blocker

Because some web sites on the University of Iowa implement pop-up windows, the pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer can cause some issues.  Some sites that are effected by this are:

To fix these problems, we are compiling a list of addresses that you can add into your do not block list in Internet Explorer.  You can get to this list in Internet Explorer by going to Tools | Internet Options and then click the Privacy tab.  In the Pop-Up Blocker section, click the Settings button.  More detailed instructions with screenshots can be found here.  You can then add the following addresses into your list:

  • *.uiowa.edu
  • *.skillport.com

NOTE:  By adding the addresses with the * symbol, you are allowing pop-ups from all sites within that domain, for example, *.uiowa.edu will allow pop-ups from all sites with uiowa.edu in them.

Windows Firewall Blocked Ports

The Windows Firewall in SP2 is turned on by default and has all of the ports turned off by default.  You will be able to surf the web without any problems, however if you try to use some of the networking tools, such as File and Print Sharing and Remote Desktop,  you may run into problems.  Because these ports are turned off by default, you will need to go into your Windows Firewall settings and turn them on.

To open these ports, you will need to go to Start | Control Panel | Windows Firewall to open the Windows Firewall Control Panel.  Here you will want to click on the Exceptions tab.  You can then check the features that you would like to use and those ports will be opened for you to use.  You may also see other programs listed in here that you have already allowed to go through the firewall, this is the area where you can manage them in the future.

Windows Firewall Retains Rules from Internet Connection Firewall

When upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2, if you have previously defined rules (or exceptions) to the Internet Connection Firewall they are copied to the new Windows Firewall.  The rules will not appear on the Exceptions tab in the Windows Firewall. 

Solution 1: The exceptions will appear through the Advanced tab in the Windows Firewall.  Go to Start | Control Panel | Windows Firewall to open the Windows Firewall Control Panel. Click on the Advanced tab.  Select the Network Connection Setting (such as Local Area Connection) and click on Settings.  This will provide you with an interface similar to the old Internet Connection Firewall and should display any exceptions that were previously defined.

Solution 2: Go to Start | Control Panel | Windows Firewall to open the Windows Firewall Control Panel. Click on the Advanced tab.  Near the bottom of the Advanced tab is a Restore Defaults button.  Clicking on this will remove all exceptions and restore the Windows Firewall to it's default status.

EndNote 8

EndNote 8 and Windows XP SP2 are not compatible.  More information about this incompatibility can be found at http://www.researchsoftware.nl/index.php?new_id=63.

If you find other issues with Service Pack 2, please contact the ITS Help Desk and we can try to troubleshoot them for you.

Return to Windows XP Support Center