Microsoft has released new Windows XP updates:

Windows XP Patch: Hard Disk May Become Corrupted When Entering Standby or Hibernation
Hard Disk May Become Corrupted When Entering Standby or Hibernation

This just in from Winbeta.org...

Being bored, I took a dive in the Messenger pages and came across these MUI packages for the MSN Messenger 5 series. It seems it was put out quietly on December 09, 2002, 11:23:52 AM. Check it out guys

Das Projekt Dreamix wird die Xbox in einen Videorekorder verwandlen. Zurzeit steckt das Projekt noch in der Alpha-Phase, doch alle angestrebten Features werden vor der Beta-Phase implementiert sein...

From badnbusy @ ieXbeta

Exclusive: Microsoft have just now released SP3 for their SQL Server 2000!

This release of Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Microsoft® SQL Server? 2000 is provided in three parts:

Database Components SP3 provides updates for the database components of an instance of SQL Server 2000, excluding instances of the SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine. Database Components SP3 includes updates to: Read More

So it would appear - i must firstly thank Agent Jones for sending this in - extremely kind! A group called the "Holics Project" have, according to various reliable resources, successfully released a working "crack" that disables Office 11 Beta 1's WPA (Windows Production Activation) module. A source close to Neowin has confirmed the crack to be a working example of software that "breaks" WPA, for now at least. This really is quite a blow to Microsoft's anti-piracy effort. Not only is it an embarrassment, but unlike previous Microsoft cracks this crack patches files, as opposed to simply reseting timing mechanisms. This proves a major "advancement" (if one might call it that) against Microsoft's anti-piracy mechanisms. The crack patches the files "Mso.dll", in a similar fashion to Office XP cracks. Read the complete story over @ NeoWin.Net

Thanks to Winoscentral.com for the Heads up: You'll love this one, it looks like in order to get Outlook 11 to work properly you have to patch Windows XP?? I say apply this patch for a few reasons:

see if it helps Outlook XP/10 with the same issue Hi I'm Microsoft, I'll just alter the Operation System to get my crappy apps to run properly, screw the rest of the world it's going to be included in SP2 anyway Micro$oft Suck$

Read this beautiful explanation or skip it and download directly at M$.

Selected applicants were notified today of their acceptance into the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 beta test. Microsoft began taking nominations for the test beginning last October.

This item updates the Stream Buffer Engine (SBE) and Encryptor/Decryptor (EncDec) components released in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). Download to use DirectShow to play back files created in Windows XP Media Center Edition. The ability to play back these files with DirectShow depends on the copy protection policy associated with the file.

Windows Movie Maker 2 makes home movies amazingly fun. With Movie Maker 2, you can create, edit, and share your home movies right on your computer. Build your movie with a few simple drag-and-drops. Delete bad shots and include only the best scenes. Then share your movie via the Web, e-mail, or CD. Using third-party software you can even take movies you've made and turn them into DVDs. You can also save your movie back to the video tape in your camera to play back on a TV or on the camera itself.

Thanks to tvaccari

Here it is. The unofficial fix list for Windows XP SP2. I want to make sure that you understand that SP2 isn't even close to beta yet, so this by no means is the final list and new fixes are added almost daily. Check back often for updates to this! Click Read More to see what's been added.....

Microsoft apparently cancelled the release of Movie Maker 2 Final for today as you can read on MM2 website here. We assume that they were surprised by heavy traffic generated by the Windows Media Player 9 series release earlier today.

Microsoft Download Center is giving away first official links to Microsoft servers where you can download the software. Enjoy fast and flexible music and video playback with Microsoft® Windows Media® Player 9 Series. Over 120 new features, including Fast Streaming, quicker startup, and smart jukebox features make this the best Player yet. Optimized for Windows XP.

Thanks to occultist who seems to have found Windows Media Player 9 Final. The build is # is 9.00.00.2980. This appears to be the geniune article and has a Digital Signature dated December 12th 2002.

Just as a reminder the public RC is build #2926.

In an effort to launch Windows XP Plus!: Digital Media Center Edition today, Microsoft is going to provide seperate stand alone downloads of the final versions of Windows Media Player 9 series and Windows Movie Maker 2. Digital Media Center will also include the software mentioned above and provides a range of new experiences for anyone who enjoys digital photography, digital music and video. Plus! Digital Media Edition will be distributed online by License Technologies Group Inc. (LTG), the first Microsoft-authorized Web retailer for Plus! Digital Media Edition, and will be in stores where Windows XP is available in early 2003. Plus! Digital Media Edition also will be made available in French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. Plus! DMCE carries an estimated retail price of $19.95.

Thanks to NFTS.org for the heads up...

Application Verifier (AppVerifier) is included in Windows XP to promote stability and reliability. You can use this tool to troubleshoot application issues. This article describes how to use Application Verifier to isolate and troubleshoot a program in Windows XP.

Cdr Info.com reports that Microsoft posted a fix for SafeDisc protected titles. As the information says "...When running a restricted user account with fast user switching under Windows XP, some games will not start correctly. The game requests that the original disk be placed in the drive, even if it is already present. To remedy this issue, download and run this fix..." 3 January 2003.

Here it is. The unofficial fix list for Windows XP SP2. I want to make sure that you understand that SP2 isn't even close to beta yet, so this by no means is the final list and new fixes are added almost daily. Check back often for updates to this.

Big Thanks to Osbetas.com

The MDAC 2.7 SP1 redistributable installer installs the same Data Access core components as Microsoft Windows XP SP1. This release does not include Microsoft Jet, the Microsoft Jet OLE DB Provider, the Desktop Database Drivers ODBC Driver, or the Visual FoxPro ODBC Driver.

Thanks to Neowin.net for the update.....The Microsoft Application Compatibility Analyzer gathers application inventory information from network computers and compiles this data into reports showing the application compatibility status by computer, department, or application. The tool solves many problems encountered during the early phases of software deployment.