Fresh format question

[Nocturnal]

I have to download all these other patches in order to get to SP2. Why is this? Is there an easier way to download SP2?

 

[FreakyGuy]

Try this?

 

[TSDible]

If you are doing a fresh install anyway, it is best to use a "slipstreamed" version of XP with SP2.

 

[MrChad]

Don't connect an unpatched XP system to the internet! You can be infected in a matter of minutes!

 

[ribbon13]

First thing you do when you have an unpatched version of windows is windows update. Then you download opera or firefox

 

[carpenter]

Could that be what happened to me MrChad?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: carpenter
Could that be what happened to me MrChad?

Quite possibly. An unpatched XP machine connected to the internet can be infected as quickly as 20 minutes.

 

[jamesbond007]

If your system is behind a decent hardware router, you will be just fine without patching before you connect to the Internet. Just don't go anywhere but to Windows Update first. IE is easily compromised these days without SP2, but things like sasser worm, for example, won't penetrate your machine if you're behind a router.