XP Service Pack 2 to conflict with games
New built-in firewall software to automatically block access of some popular games to the Internet.
The impending release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has prompted Microsoft to reveal a list of programs that may experience problems with the massive update. Included on the rather extensive list are quite a few games, such as Warcraft III and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Microsoft stated that most of the problems are associated with the new built-in Windows firewall, where users must approve programs that attempt to make Internet connections. However, some programs use data pages that the firewall automatically blocks, as they are common attack routes for hackers. A work-around is built into the firewall software, as well as the ability for advanced users to simply turn it off.
The games affected by Service Pack 2 are as follows:
- Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
- Chess Advantage III: Lego Chess
- Combat Flight Simulator 3
- Command & Conquer: Generals
- Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
- Conflict: Desert Storm
- Dead Man's Hand
- Earth & Beyond
- Elite Forces Vietnam: Special Assignment 2
- Freedom Force
- Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
- Medieval Total War
- Midnight Outlaw: Illegal Street Drag
- Moto Racer
- NASCAR Racing 2003
- NBA Live 2000
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
- Roller Coaster Factory
- Scrabble
- Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
- SimCity 4
- Star Trek: Starfleet Command III
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Starcraft
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
- Tribes 2
- Unreal II
- Unreal Tournament 2003
- Unreal Tournament Game of the Year Edition
- Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Collector's Edition
A full list of programs, and the versions affected, is available at Microsoft's Web site. Service Pack 2 will be officially released to XP users via automatic update later this month.
Content you might like…
-
Freedom Force v1.2 Patch
The v1.2 patch adds a couple hardware features and fixes a few bugs. Please see the readme file for more details.
- Jan 22, 2003
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Dragon Age: Origins Interview with Ray Muzyka
We chat with Ray Muzyka about some of the features in Dragon Age: Origins. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 4:06 pm PT
-
Left 4 Dead 2 Doug Lombardi Interview
We talk to Doug Lombardi about Left 4 Dead 2 at a recent preview event in London. Full Story
- Posted Jul 3, 2009 4:42 pm PT
Featured Stories
-
Sony dismisses Activision threats, PS3 price cut rumors
Sony Corp. CEO Sir Howard Stringer brands third-party publisher's comments as "noise," SCEA CEO Jack Tretton says other consoles don't deliver the same value. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 1:15 pm PT
- 950 Comments
-
PS3 MGS4/Killzone 2 bundle now available
Best Buy begins offering rumored $400 retail configuration, which packs in 80GB console with nearly $90 of top-rated games. Full Story
- Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:19 am PT
- 477 Comments
-
Battlefield 1943 suffers server snafu
EA Dice's multiplayer-only downloadable shooter experiencing matchmaking technical difficulties after Xbox 360 launch this morning. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 12:48 pm PT
- 140 Comments
-
Blizzard: Free-to-play WOW 'possible'
Lead designer Tom Chilton says the multiplatinum MMORPG champion could abolish monthly subscription plan by adopting microtransaction system. Full Story
- Posted Jul 7, 2009 12:43 pm PT
- 336 Comments
-
Square Enix retires Eidos publishing label
Japanese pub consolidates operations in Europe and NA, confirming some headcount reduction; British company's name will live on through dev studios. Full Story
- Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:15 am PT
- 130 Comments
Submit News
Related Game
- LucasArts
- BioWare
- Role-Playing
- Release: Nov 18, 2003
- ESRB: Teen
Related Games
Recent News
-
Following two preemptive reveals, Electronic Arts has officially confirmed the final chapter in the Command & Conquer series.
Site Blogs
-
Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall now free
When The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was released, it was hailed by critics for its sprawling open world and the potentially intimidating...
6 Comments