Do I need to update to XP SP1a

  • Thread starter Thread starter Howard
  • Start date Start date
H

Howard

I have a Dell 8200 with XP purchased in 2002. I have
religiously downloaded all the microsoft updates, but did
not install SP1. Would I gain noticable benefit if I
update using SP1a? I am concerned about running into the
install problems I have heard of (BTW, I would purchase
the CD).

Also, would like some clarification. SP1a includes
suppport for USB 2.0. My computer supports version 1.1.
If I wanted to use version 2, would I have to buy a USB
hardware card?

Thanks

Howard
 
Howard said:
I have a Dell 8200 with XP purchased in 2002. I have
religiously downloaded all the microsoft updates, but did
not install SP1. Would I gain noticable benefit if I
update using SP1a? I am concerned about running into the
install problems I have heard of (BTW, I would purchase
the CD).
Click to expand...

I would say that you would see a benefit yes. I have seen benefits in
performance and reliability with SP1 and I too installed all the windows
update packages.

As for all the problems, if you read a forum like this you read nothing but
problems but remember thats because this is a place to solve problems. As
I've said before, its like aliens landing in the gardens of your local
hospital, walking (or would that be sliming or teleporting?) into the
emergency ward and concluding from what they saw there all humans were
sickly creatures that always had something wrong with them.

If you decide to "go for it" - then check the readme instructions carefully
and disable non essential background programs (e.g. virus scanners) first
and I would say you are ok. As you have a "major OEM" computer there, I'd
take advantage of their support facilities to see if they know of any
problems with the hardware they've sold you and SP1; by now I'd expect them
to know all the possible pitfalls and appropriate work arounds.
Also, would like some clarification. SP1a includes
suppport for USB 2.0. My computer supports version 1.1.
If I wanted to use version 2, would I have to buy a USB
hardware card?
Click to expand...

Yes, sorry. USB 2 is a hardware standard that Windows XP SP1a simply
provides software support for. If you are looking to take advantage of USB2
enabled hardware it might be worth purchasing a PCI card to go inside your
computer that adds USB2 ports, but you won't see any improvement in what you
already have if you just have usb 1.1 sockets in your system.

Hope that clears a few things up.
 
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