Microsoft names 50 apps that require SP2 tweaks

Microsoft has posted a list of nearly 50 applications and games -- some from Microsoft, others from third-party vendors -- that won't work properly with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) without some tweaking.

In a document published to its Knowledge Base support site, Microsoft detailed the problems that the applications will have with SP2's Windows Firewall, which is automatically enabled in the update.

"Client applications may not successfully receive data from a server," said Microsoft in the document, and "server applications that are running on SP2 may not respond to client requests."

Among the types of programs affected are file-sharing applications, email clients, remote desktop apps, and multi-player games.

The list includes anti-virus software from Symantec, Macromedia's ColdFusion MX Server Edition, and network management applications from Computer Associates. Several of Microsoft's own applications are also on the list, including Microsoft's Small Business Server 2003, Visual Studio .Net, and Systems Management Server 2003.

The necessary fine-tuning involves opening ports closed by Windows Firewall so that the various applications can access data -- such as anti-virus updates -- or be accessed remotely.

Last week, Microsoft told customers and partners that SP2 "breaks" Microsoft CRM 1.2 and won't work at all with Microsoft CRM 1.0.