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Will I Have To Install XP SP2?
~~Mike Baynes, MikesWhatsNews

Windows XP Service Pack 2 is the latest of a series of patches which Microsoft has released to try to help protect users from  viruses and other malware which take advantage of known loopholes in Windows XP.

Although the download was made available in August, Microsoft expedited the release to CDs which were in the hands of some of the folks who had requested them within 8 days (or less).

I received my copy 12 days after applying for it. This is an indication of how seriously Microsoft is working to stop the spread of malware through its operating system.

XP SP2 is an all inclusive package of all previous hot fixes and patches, including SP1.

List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
?scid=kb;en-us;811113

If you have not ordered the CD, it is not too late. They are still shipping them. The reason to have the CD is it will allow you to reinstall the XP operating system and SP2 without having to go online to get the fixes without a firewall (XP SP2 has the firewall enabled after installing it).

You can get it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/
updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Using programs and hardware with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2swhw

Some programs seem to stop working after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242

After you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), some programs may seem not to work. By default, Windows Firewall is enabled and blocks unsolicited connections to your computer. This article discusses how to make an exception and enable a program to run by adding it to the list of exceptions. This procedure permits the program to work as it did before the service pack was installed.

There have been some reports of new Pop-up Blocker preventing the Windows Updates from working. If you are unable to obtain the Windows Updates click on Tools> Pop-up Blocker> "Turn off pop-up Blocker".

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875350&Product=winxp

See Mike's Anti-Virus pages ~ http://virusinfo.hackfix.org.  To subscribe, send a blank email to: virusinfo-request@freelists.org?Subject=subscribe