A problem in the Service Pack 2 update for Windows XP may keep owners of AMD-based computers from using the long-awaited security package under certain circumstances, according to Microsoft.
In an article posted in the Knowledge Base section of its Web site, Microsoft says that Service Pack 2 may not work with computers running Advanced Micro Devices" 64-bit microprocessors. The Redmond, Wash.-based company said earlier that owners of such PCs may want to bypass the update completely, but has now come up with a workaround.
AMD"s 64-bit chips include the Athlon 64 for PCs and the Opteron for servers. A Microsoft representative declined to comment directly on the AMD-related issue but said the company "continually investigates all issues and vulnerabilities" reported to it regarding SP2 and other products. However, an AMD representatives said the chipmaker believes the problem has only occurred, so far, with one application, Sigma Designs" Realmagic Hollywood Plus DVD Decoder. Microsoft also identifies the application as being able to cause the problem.