Computer and Software Support


Should I install SP2

If you ask techs if you should update your system to SP2, you will get some that will say that you don't need to and others say you do. I personally believe you need to install SP2 for the updates. There is so many hackers, spam ware and viruses out there that you need to keep your system up to date.

There is a couple cautions however.

1. Whenever you run an update or a patch, you stand a chance of having a conflict with something. This means trying to avoid problems can actually cause problems. This doesn't always happen but it can. Another words, you can have problems if you don't update but yet you can have problems if you do. Whenever installing updates or patches, always create a restore point and have your important files backed up.

2. Spyware on a system can make your system crash or have issues when you install SP2. Make sure you have your important files backed up before running SP2. Also would run several anti-spyware programs on your system to make sure it is clean. Here is a page to help you

Check and fix spyware on system


NOTE: Even after doing scans with several programs doesn't guarantee your system is not infested with spyware. You could have one that the programs are not detecting or the damage from the spyware is still there after the spyware was removed.

There is two ways to install SP2

  1. Download and install SP2
  2. Install SP2 via Windows Update

Preferred way is to Download and install SP2. Be sure to burn it to a CD before installing SP2. If you have it on a CD, you will have it if your system crashes. If you just download it and install, you will loose it if your system crashes.

Here is the link to download SP2. Download SP2 click here. It is a big download and not suggested on dial-up. Download it and then burn it to a CD. (the page is Microsoft's. They change the location of their pages from time to time and the link may become invalid. Please inform me if it is. Thanks)

If you install SP2 via Windows Update, you stand a chance of having a bad install. The first option is the best route.