How do you know if you need it or already have it?

I'm on auto update... do I need Service Pak 2?

 

Hello BarbeeGee,

If you had it, you would know.

Set AU on one of the two middle options: Download auto matically Notify before download and Notify when ready to install, won't have to guess.

As for whether you need it, strictly speaking, no, not right now. Especially if you're concientious about security. In the long run, yes, because MS will base future updates on SP2.

My experience: security is the least of it, although that's what the publicity is mostly about. My system just runs better because of the underlying "fixes" to the OS. I also like SP2's IE a whole lot better.

Regars - Charles

 

Whew! Can you run that by me again, in English?

Basically I did have it on auto and don't know if I got it or not. Is there a way to find out?

 

Do you have something called a Security Center window that popped up on bootup?

I don't think so, or you wouldn't be posting now.

BTW, what part(s) of what I wrote was not understandable? I'm asking in the interest of answering questions like yours better.

Regards - Charles

 

BarbeeGee--

In Windows Explorer, click Help|About Windows. If Version says SP2 at the end, you have it.

 

Actually the initials mostly but I think I figured most of them out.

My system just runs better because of the underlying "fixes" to the OS. I also like SP2's IE a whole lot better.


Not sure what that means.

 

Translation into English (and good on ya for asking - please do when any of us post something that does not make perfect sense).

My system just runs better because of the underlying modifications made to the XP operating system by service pack 2. I also like the changes it made to Internet Explorer

 

Welch Jim, I do not have ABOUT WINDOWS under Help it just has the option About Internet Explorer.

 

Hi Barbee,

Appologies for using terms that I forget not everyone is conversant with.

To answer your question:

Go into the Control Panel, click on My Computer, in the left blue panel, you should see under Systems Tasks: View System Information. Click on that, and click on the the General tab if it's not showing already.

Next to the Microsoft logo:
System:
Microsoft Windows XP
Home or Pro Edition - whichever one you have
Version 2002

And then Service Pack - what does it say, 1 or 2?

Regards - Charles

 

Charles... BINGO How simple that was. It says I have Service Pack 1

So I should download Service Pack 2 now. I have one final question. I read some of the other posts and a lot of people are having problems after downloading SP2... is that the majority or minority?

Newt, now that I know the initials and am more familiar with the board your explanation is quite clear and simple. The fault was mine! You are great.

 

Hi Barbee,

A minority.

There will be a lot of new dialog boxes and windows, the Security Center and security dialog popups by Internet Explorer - both of which can be turned off.

Afterwards, look over these threads in the SP2 section and you'll find that most will have been written about.

Regards - Charles

 

Thank you Charles.

I had no problems with the download. In fact, SP2 solved a problem I had posted in the other thread: Cache Problem?

My last question is: Can I now uninstall my firewall Zone Alarm? Will the firewall included in the service pack be enough now?

 

XP's firewall does not block application programs from connectiong outbound. Some background on this question http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=34394

So it depends on what you want, it is not a substitute for ZA. XP's firewall certainly will do the job to protect you from inbound threats. It is somewhat configurable, go thru the Security Center > firewall and a window will open with logging options and the tabs on exceptions.

Regards - Charles

 

BarbeeGee --

You have to look in Windows Explorer Help, not Internet Explorer Help. (Windows Explorer can also be called My Computer.)