Windows XP Pro

[athlon64X2]

All,

I have Windows XP Pro - SP1 (and I have downloaded all the updates through Windows Update).

Am wondering whether I should be upgrading to SP2. I did it earlier this week, and while SP2 was installing, the system became unresponsive, and it has to be forced reset. When it came back, it tried to rollback to SP1, but it could not -- then my USB2.0 keyboard and mouse started acting up. The just would not initialize at reboot. I could do nothing. Tried PS2 mouse also, but that did not come up after reboot either.

The only way I could fix it was a complete re-install of Windows XP Pro SP1.

Now I am scared to install SP2 again. Also, I have read more complaints about SP2 than and improvements.

1) Are there are performance benefits to installing SP2?
2) I have Athlon dual core processor. AMD website has drivers only for Dual Core - XP SP2 version and nothing for SP1 version. Is this a strong enough reason to upgrade to SP2?

Thanks,
Mahesh.

 

[oog]

sp2. definitely. there are a lot of security fixes for windows with sp2.

 

[athlon64X2]

I am not too inclined to upgrade to SP2 just for security issues. I have all the bells and whistles -- firewalls, anti virus real time protection, etc.

Is there any performance benefit to move to SP2?

I dont want my computer crashing again just like it did when I was trying to install SP2 last week. It is too much of a hassle.

 

[mechBgon]

The best way to install SP2 would be to slipstream it into your WinXP CD's installation files and burn a fresh WinXP CD that is natively SP2. Install WinXP from the SP2-level CD. Google for nLite to help with this.

Next-best IMHO would be to unplug your network cable, install WinXP, then install SP2 first thing, before drivers even. This requires that you have the entire SP2 installer available offline.

Next-best after that would be to install it in Safe Mode, if your installation has been in use a long time, and particularly if you have a ton of security software playing Big Brother over the installation of SP2 itself.

edit: and yes, WinXP SP2 is proving to be more secure than WinXP SP1 + subsequent patches.

/ 2¢ worth