Microsoft to update final Windows 2000 patch

Microsoft is working to fix compatibility issues with a recently released update pack for Windows 2000.

The software maker has said the Windows 2000 Update Rollup, which came out in June, will be the last major update for the 5-year-old operating system. However, the company has noted that some users are having problems with the collection of patches, and it's working on fixes.

"To date, we have had several million downloads of the Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000," Peter Houston, a director of Windows servicing strategy, said in a statement. "We're seeing some issues with a small fraction of the downloads."

At the same time, Microsoft said it has found workarounds for many of the problems, so it won't pull the Update Rollup off of its download sites. Houston said that those who downloaded the Update Rollup and are running it should be fine, while those who have not yet downloaded it should check a Microsoft Knowledge Base article to see if they are likely to encounter any hurdles.

Houston did not have an exact time frame for when the updated patches will be available. "We're fixing the issues and are currently looking to post updated packages as soon as they are available," he said.

Microsoft said late last year that it would forgo a fifth service pack for Windows 2000 and instead issue the Update Rollup as its last big update. The rollup is largely a collection of previously released patches, though Microsoft has said some other changes may also be included.

[sanenazok]

Better watch out

The Rollup has a negative effect on ISA and MCA SCSI controllers. Yep if you're using E/ISA or MCA then you better not be running Windows 2000, at least not for anything worthwhile.