install xp service pack II yes\no

hi all
after installing sp2 a few months ago my pc started to run like a dog very slow occasionally crashing all the usuall pc stuff. after speaking to a few pc repair shops and the I.T. techies at work they all said to reformat and leave xp sp2 off.
Is this wise with all the (security issues) going around. i am running norton internet security.

does any one else have an opinion on this?

 

If you put SP2 on a clean system it normally does fine. More secure for sure, more stable, and usually speeds up the system operation.

Ideal is to make a slipstream CD with XP & SP2 and do the install with that. Works out lots cleaner than doing an install and then loading the SP but if you choose that method, do not put SP1 on unless it is part of your CD install. Just XP then directly to SP2.

 

I would install SP2 again. It works as MS advertised. I have probably shut off half of the security layers manually, but I have Norton, and I don't need them. I have not installed XP without SP2 on any computers in months , and I would tell anyone who has an inexperienced user on the machine to install ALL service packs and hotfixes that MS offers, including SP2. JMO, YMMV!

Johanna

 

I have installed SP2 on computer with speeds from 400 MHZ to 2.2 GHZ, no slowdown attributed to it.