Just saw this @Xp-erience.org

In an update to yesterdays story, a web installer for the lasted leaked version of DirectX 9 has been... leaked. This should lessen the amount you need to download making it easier on dialup users, but the software is still beta and should be used at your own risk.

Just saw this @Entcity.com

MSN Messenger 5.0.340 has made its way to the net.Complete with all the features of the 5 series messengers. Some differences are v.340 needs no patch to get you up and online.

Microsoft has provided the following link to the DirectPlay 8.2 beta patch for New World Order. The DirectPlay 8.2 beta release requires that DirectX 8.1 is installed on your machine. If you are running Windows XP, then DirectX 8.1 is already installed on your system. If you are running an older version of Windows you can download DirectX 8.1 here. Read more...

Wow, that was quick :D. Yes, DirectX 9 Beta 2 has been leaked. This one is set to expire in October. The new version is 4.09.0000.0133. There are no direct download links available yet, we'll let you know when that changes :) For now you might be able to grab it on IRC on #WinBeta ;) Click on Read More for screenies. Thanks Khujo!

Just a quick note to let you know that DirectX 9 Beta 2 has been released @ Microsoft's Betaplace.com.

We are pleased to announce that DirectX 9.0 Beta 2 has been released to BetaPlace. You may download the DirectX 9.0 beta 2 SDK at Betaplace.com . Additional downloads will be available in a few days.

An error in the way Windows handles Page Files in Windows 2000, has been carried through to Windows XP.

Microsoft .NET Framework Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides the latest updates to the .NET Framework. SP2 is highly recommended for all users of the .NET Framework, including customers of Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET. SP2 is a cumulative service pack; if you don't already have Service Pack 1, you only need to download Service Pack 2.

Windows XP SP1 build 1089 has been released to testers. There is speculation that this build may be RC1, but that's yet to be confirmed and this build does NOT make your desktop say "For testing purposes only" in the bottom right corner.

Just received word that Windows XP SP1 1089 Internal Beta has been leaked. At this time its unclear if this is the RC1 or pre-RC1 build. This xpsp1 is dated 02/08/01 (1st of August 2002). No download links are available yet.

Click on Read More to see the first screenshot. Thanks Khujo.

As you may know by now Neowin.net are down but they should be back up very soon. Until then you can download Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 Build 1082 from Iexbeta.com.

The nice peeps over @ Neowin.net send word that they now have Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 Build 1082 ready for download. Hit Read More for your link. Oh and before I forget Windows XP SP1 RC1 should be out on Monday!

Neowin.net reports that due to an error on the Microsoft pages they have let the URL slip for the North American location to the Release To Web (RTW) version of IE6.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Which might indicate that that is the final build number and that a release is imminent. IE6 is well over a year old now and SP1 will be a welcome upgrade for the users having to "patch-up" from clean installs of WinXP (for example) in just one year Windows Update already offers 55MB of recommended & critical updates. Those Service Packs come in handy with their including of all the hot-fixes you need into one package.

Neowin.net reports that the plumbers have been called in again at Microsoft after build 1086 leaked to the IRC somehow where it's making the rounds. The file is 128,140 KB so not a lot different from earlier builds and I'm told that this version features an evaluation message on the desktop (something not present on build 1081).

Beta Testers have not received this build and all indications point to the fact that this is an internal release only.

Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) provides the latest updates to the Windows 2000 family of operating systems. These updates are a collection of fixes in the following areas: application compatibility, operating system reliability, security, and setup. Windows 2000 SP3 includes the updates contained in Windows 2000 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows 2000 Security Rollup Package 1. Windows 2000 SP3 is a recommended upgrade. Windows 2000 SP3 includes Windows Installer 2.0 please see the Deployment Guide for more information. To determine whether to install Windows 2000 SP3, Microsoft recommends that customers review the Windows 2000 SP3 documentation found under Learn More.

TheInquirer reports that SP3 for W2K is plaqued by BSOD's. If you've got a Promise ATA-133 card, before installing SP3, you should get your body over to the Promise.com site before installing it, otherwise BSOD will be yours.

Another reader downloaded SP3 but said that Microsoft has significantly changed their terms and conditions, with this paragraph: "The OS Product or OS Components contain components that enable and facilitate the use of certain Internet-based services. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may automatically check the version of the OS Product and/or its components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades or fixes to the OS Product that will be automatically downloaded to your computer."

Thank you goes over to Neowin. Windows 2000 SP3 Support Tools: These updated Windows 2000 Support Tools (support.cab) will help support personnel and network administrators better manage their networks and troubleshoot problems.

Windows 2000 SP3 Deployment Tools: The Windows 2000 Resource Kit Deployment Tools (deploy.cab) assists system administrators in installing Windows 2000 on multiple computers. This file contains updates to the deployment tools and documentation.

This guide assists IT professionals who participate in planning and performing Active Directory operations. It provides high-level operations planning information based on best practices learned from customers who have deployed Active Directory. This guide also provides the tasks and step-by-step procedures for maintaining an Active Directory environment.

This download provides the Microsoft Windows Installer Merge Modules (MSM files) needed to distribute the SOAP toolkit with your applications. The SOAP Toolkit can be used to add XML Web Service functionality to COM components and applications.

Windows 2000 SP3 Setup Error Message: The Application Failed to Initialize Properly (0x80000003)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2 Advanced Server

Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2 Professional

Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2 Server

SYMPTOMS

When you apply Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) on a debug version of Windows 2000 that has been upgraded to Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2), you may receive the following error message: Read More

Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) provides the latest updates to the Windows 2000 family of operating systems. These updates are a collection of fixes in the following areas: application compatibility, operating system reliability, security, and setup. Windows 2000 SP2 includes the updates contained in Windows 2000 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows 2000 SP2 (SP2). Windows 2000 SP3 is not considered a required upgrade. To determine whether to install Windows 2000 SP3, Microsoft recommends that customers review the Windows 2000 SP3 documentation