Tech Forum

Is there any reason why I can't upgrade our XP machine to SP3 and IE 8? There doesn't seem to be an official image anymore, and I'm not aware of any guidelines that state what is and isn't allowed. So I guess my question is two fold:

1. Is there a policy or guideline that would prevent me from doing so?
2. Will doing so break MLS or any other requird programs?

Thanks,
Brian

bfromm wrote:Is there any reason why I can't upgrade our XP machine to SP3 and IE 8? There doesn't seem to be an official image anymore, and I'm not aware of any guidelines that state what is and isn't allowed. So I guess my question is two fold:

1. Is there a policy or guideline that would prevent me from doing so?
2. Will doing so break MLS or any other requird programs?

There is no policy against it. There have been various discussions where people have tried to take hints from certain policy statements or other official communications to argue one way or the other on this issue, but I can't find any firm statement saying you must or must not do it. So that would make it a local decision.

The new computers being used in my stake came with XP SP3 and IE8. They are working with all required programs with no problems at all.

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the fast reply!

The last time I called the Member & Leader Support desk, I asked why Desktop 5.5 disabled Automatic Updates. They said they were afraid an update from Microsoft would break MLS. I think they told me that security updates would be pushed via LANDesk, so we should not be using Automatic Updates.

I think this is related to the question of whether to use XP SP3 and IE8, isn't it?

Dana

Yes, it's related. The first question that comes to my mind is when did they tell you this? If this was from before Internet connections were allowed, then one could argue that the situation has changed and the risks of not updating have grown. I have yet to see anything pushed out to admin machines via LANDesk, so while that advice may have been well-intentioned, I don't think it worked out as planned.

But, at this point, Desktop 5.5 is no longer the gold reference standard. So unless the new security package disables Automatic Updates, then I think that advice has gone the way of old handbooks.

bfromm wrote:Is there any reason why I can't upgrade our XP machine to SP3 and IE 8? Will doing so break MLS or any other requird programs?

As far as breaking MLS - it does not. There have been several forum users reporting no problems after updating Windows or installing IE8. I am one of those.

As Russell noted LANDesk is not being used for anything right now even after the update we were instructed to have made by 24 January. There may be something on the horizon but nothing more than a message sent to stake technology specialists on 28 January. This is a quote from that message: (CMS, Computer Management Software or LANDesk)

CMS. This upgrade will help Church Headquarters (CHQ) manage operating-system updates and collect software and hardware inventories for Member Leader System (MLS) clients. This version is an upgrade that will enable continued support from the vendor.

I am having a hard time understanding what they are really saying since I do not know who the vendor is or what software the vendor is providing. I am assuming the vendor is the LANDesk vendor. Other than that I am at a loss.

The Dell Optiplex 740 computers do not have Desktop 5.5 and are configured without any modification to security. Windows Update is not disabled on those systems. But IE8 is also not installed.

When our YSA unit was created about 3 years ago, they received an Optiplex 740. I *really* wanted to install Desktop 5.5 on it, just to make it look like all the other admin computers in the stake (GX-270 and GX-280). So I brought in an external DVD drive specifically so I could install Desktop 5.5.
Now all the other admin computers in the stake are being replaced, I assume with Optiplex 740s, and NONE of them will have Desktop 5.5. Oh well, I had good intentions.

So yes, there are SOME 740s that are running Desktop 5.5.

Dana

So, do we now have clearance to enable Automatic Updates for the Optiplex 740 systems, on antiquated Windows XP? I was told the same thing about the Automatic Updates, "that it might break MLS". I would love to turn it back on and keep all the computers current.

KeithWilson wrote:So, do we now have clearance to enable Automatic Updates for the Optiplex 740 systems, on antiquated Windows XP? I was told the same thing about the Automatic Updates, "that it might break MLS". I would love to turn it back on and keep all the computers current.

I don't think we've received word one way or another. But with MLS computers getting a live connection to the Internet, it would seem to me that the greater danger is in NOT updating.

Also, the church discontinued sending images some time ago. (The restrictions were part of the image). New computers seem to be the basic off-the-shelf OS installs. If there was some hidden policy about not doing updates, it's long gone by the wayside.

Optiplex 740? You may want to check with your FM Group. While the original instructions for 5 year replacements haven't gone as planned, we did finally replace all of ours.

I ran all the updates, it seemed to take forever. When I boot up, it now says, "Bad Image". Sheesh. I will run them again, and restart.