Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) does not affect the functionality of the Retail Management System 1.2 programs. However, because of increased security functionality that is implemented by Windows XP SP2, network communication is affected. Therefore, Windows XP SP2 will not affect Retail Management System users who have a local instance of Microsoft SQL Server or a local instance of SQL Server Desktop Engine (also known as MSDE 2000). However, users who have an instance of SQL Server or SQL Server Desktop Engine on computers that are separate from their Retail Management System installation must follow the steps in this article. These steps explain how to designate applications as exceptions in Windows Firewall to provide full connectivity.

SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server Desktop Engine

To designate SQL Server or SQL Server Desktop Engine as an exception in Windows Firewall on computers that do not have any Retail Management System programs installed and are running SQL Server or SQL Server Desktop Engine, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	In the left pane, click Switch to Classic View, and then double-click Windows Firewall.
3.	Click the Exceptions tab, and then click Add Program.
4.	Click Browse.
5.	Locate the following path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\binn\sqlservr.exe
6.	Click OK to save the changes.

Retail Management System 1.2 Headquarters Client

To designate the Headquarters Client application as an exception in Windows Firewall, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	In the left pane, click Switch to Classic View, and then double-click Windows Firewall.
3.	Click the Exceptions tab, and then click Add Program.
4.	Click Browse.
5.	Locate the following path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Retail Management System\Headquarters Client\HQClient.exe
6.	Click OK to save the changes.

Retail Management System 1.2 Headquarters Server

To designate the Headquarters Server application as an exception in Windows Firewall, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	In the left pane, click Switch to Classic View, and then double-click Windows Firewall.
3.	Click the Exceptions tab, and then click Add Program.
4.	Click Browse.
5.	Find the following path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Retail Management System\Headquarters\HQServer.exe
6.	Click OK to save the changes.

Internet orders or Preferred Acquirer for Credit and Debit card processing using Store Operations POS

To designate the Store Operations POS application as an exception in Windows Firewall, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	In the left pane, click Switch to Classic View, and then double-click Windows Firewall.
3.	Click the Exceptions tab, and then click Add Program.
4.	Click Browse.
5.	Find the following path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Retail Management System\Store Operations\SOPOSUser.exe
6.	Click OK to save the changes.

To read Microsoft Knowledge Base article 841249, "How to configure WIndows XP Service Pack 2 for use with SQL Server," visit the following Microsoft Web site: