News


System Center Suite Slated for 2005

Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 beat the date in its own name with a release to manufacturing this week and a mid-October general availability date. But the Microsoft management suite that will include MOM, Systems Management Server and some other tools won't arrive until next year.

Microsoft Publishes Application Compatibility Kit for XP SP2

Microsoft posted a new kit to the download section of its Web site for testing application compatibility and fixing any problems that crop up during Windows XP Service Pack 2 deployments.

Final Stage of XP SP2 Online Rollout Begins

Microsoft took the final major online step in distributing Windows XP Service Pack 2 on Wednesday by posting the service pack to Windows Update and starting the distribution to Windows XP Professional customers via Automatic Update.

MOM 2005 Released to Manufacturing

Microsoft on Wednesday announced the release to manufacturing of Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 and MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition, a new edition that the company previously called MOM 2005 Express.

Intel Makes Broad Cuts to Processor Prices

Intel announced price cuts of as much as nearly 35 percent this week that cut across seven of its processor lines and encompassed 28 individual processor models.

Colleges Upset with XP SP2 Timing

Microsoft's decision to drop Windows XP Service Pack 2 on the world just a few weeks before the start of classes has some higher education IT departments overworked and agitated.

XP SP2-compliant Version of MBSA Available for Download

An updated version of the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer that brings support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 is now available for download from Microsoft's site.

New Name for Windows 64-bit Extended Editions

Microsoft is going with a simpler name for the versions of Windows that will support the AMD64 and Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology processors.

Windows XP SP2's Trail of Broken Apps

Official and anecdotal reports of commercial applications broken by Windows XP Service Pack 2 are stretching into the triple digits as the staged rollout of the service pack continues.

Host Integration Server 2004 Coming Next Month

Microsoft also split its legacy platform interoperability server into standard and enterprise editions for the first time.

Financial Research Firm: Longhorn Could Slow PC Buying

Hefty system requirements for Windows "Longhorn" could create a drag on PC buying in 2006, a financial research firm warned.

Users Approach XP SP2 with Enthusiasm, Caution

Users generally like what they see in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and are planning aggressive rollouts of the major security overhaul of Microsoft's flagship client operating system. At the same time, Microsoft's new tool to prevent client systems from automatically installing SP2 and the latest delay on Automatic Update deployments dovetail nicely with users' plans to continue thorough testing of SP2 before deploying it.

Microsoft Delays General Rollout over AU for Windows XP SP2

Microsoft has pushed back the general rollout of Windows XP Service Pack 2 over its Automatic Update delivery channel. Widespread distribution of the critical, security-focused service pack had been planned to begin on Monday.

Dismal Quarter for HP Servers, Storage

Three top executives were replaced at HP after a disappointing quarter for the company's enterprise servers and storage business unit.

Windows XP 'Lite' Slated for 5 Countries

Microsoft is moving ahead with plans to introduce a stripped-down, low-cost version of Windows XP in countries where economic realities make the full release of Windows with its hefty price tag a hard sell.

Microsoft Clarifies XP SP2 Rollout Schedule

Microsoft will begin distribution of Windows XP Service Pack 2 to individual PCs through the Automatic Update feature of Windows Update on Aug. 16, company executives said Wednesday.

Network Version of XP SP2 Available for Download

Microsoft this week publicly posted the network installation version of Windows XP Service Pack 2, making the critical service pack available for IT administrators to download and begin rolling out.

Vulnerability Found in Exchange Server Outlook Web Access

A newly discovered flaw in the Outlook Web Access service of Exchange 5.5 Server could allow a remote attacker to take partial control of the Exchange server. Microsoft released a patch for the vulnerability on Tuesday.

Windows XP SP2 Released to Manufacturing

Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft's important service pack delivering key security improvements to its flagship client operating system, was released to manufacturing on Friday, the company said.

Microsoft's TerraServer Proof Point Still Serving Aerial Data

The TerraServer project that began six years ago as a proof point for the scalability of the then-unreleased SQL Server 7.0 is live and still growing, serving up free aerial images of neighborhoods, stadiums and harbors at half-meter resolution.