To Install SP2 Or Not To Install SP2, That Is The Question?

Atomic Marshmallow · Post by **Atomic Marshmallow** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:16 am

Hello,

First of all I have done a search of this forum before bothering anyone with a possible banal question and there are loads of pages to trawl through that aren't relevant to what I am asking.

I will be soon reinstalling a clean image of XP on my machine to make things run smooth and tidy up the clutter a bit. However the image is XP service pack 1.

I have read that SP2 is more for internet security more than anything, but seeing my music PCs are not connected, is it necessary to install SP2? Or is SP 2 more efficient despite not using internet ( SP1 bugs ironed out for instance)?

In the March 2007 issue of Sound On Sound, there is also mention of a hotfix.

I quote:

"Project 5 users running Windows XP SP2 install the KB319740 Hotfix to cure long-term memory leaks when opening lots of software windows. They even host the file in question on their own web site (www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/kb2005243.asp)."

Does that hotfix only apply to people using Project 5 or all users.

Thanks and my apologies if this question has been asked before.

Regards

Post by **garyb** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:08 pm

if you are concerned, go ahead and install it. it definitely won't hurt.

Atomic Marshmallow · Post by **Atomic Marshmallow** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:14 pm

garyb wrote:if you are concerned, go ahead and install it. it definitely won't hurt.

It's more a question of is SP 2 an essential install? Is it better to have it installed or not, or shall I just stay with SP 1?

Thanks

Post by **garyb** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:24 pm

i don't think it makes a lot of difference, except some newer programs/applications may require it. i'd just go ahead and do it, it won't hurt. just open the security center afterwards, choose "change the way windows alerts me"(or similar) and uncheck everything to get rid of the annoying messages about antivirus, automatic updates and the firewall......

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:35 am

If I remember right, SP2 is required for USB2 support, but check out the specs before quoting me on that !!

valis · Post by **valis** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:09 pm

Sp1 for 'proper' usb support (devices are recognized on their own without having to install a usb driver first to even get them to be recognized).

Sp2 for some essential fixes that will solve some of the more severe worms that MS suffered from, these fixes also might come through windowsupdate on their own. Sp2 also gives u their 'security center' and a few other rollup apps that only get installed with sp2.

Personally I saw install sp2, and if you require internet protection use Sygate or Zonealarm and turn the MS 'security center' Service off COMPLETELY so that it stops bugging you over the top of every app it monitors (antivirus etc).

Also there was some noting that sp2 includes faster binaries for several core windows components, via updated Intel compiler components that are more optimized for modern cpu's than the original XP binaries were. These same components sit inside vis studio afaik so most Intel & MS compilers benefit from them.