Service packs

[xelnanga]

For windows xp, I believe there are 2 service packs: sp1 and sp2. Which one's better? I personally like using sp1, because sp2 has the really annoying firewall.

[EXreaction]

SP2 is better...you can always disable the integrated firewall.

[Jeordiewhite]

I personally prefere service pack 2, I had stopped using windows xp for awhile till sp2 came out. I find it to be much better and dont mind the improved firewall at all. SP1 still had a firewall but it didn't have anything for allowing applications to have incoming traffic. Instead you had to specify your own rules and have an entry per tcp and udp. For most people it was easier just to use the SP2 firewall.
The firewall was a good improvement to the OS helping the problem of viruses that were coming in from the internet.

It's always good to run a firewall anyway and windows firewall is probably the least obtrusive firewall you could even find. Besides it's simple to disable and editing or disabling the firewall doesn't interupt traffic. There are other things I like about it, but I mainly use windows media center when I use windows xp.

[wera]

Burger king is teh best service pack around.

[usslindstrom]

With all the other stuff that SP2 does, It gets the vote for the win.

I've heard of a lot of applications that refuse to work after you install it, but I personally haven't had any negative exp with it. Works fine in my book.

Shouldn't even really be an option. If something helps protect your PC, you should always use it.

[xelnanga]

What else does service pack 2 provide besides better firewall?

[asma123]

i'd say sp1 is better, because sp2 has too many services that slow down your computer. services that you dont need so therefore its useless.

[Jeordiewhite]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/features.mspx

You can disable and choose which services you want as you please. I turn off the ones I dont use or need. On slower computers I either will install windows 2000 or simply just disable as many services and other things that take up memory, but I do that for Windows XP, whether its SP1 or SP2.

[filipino]

SP2 for me, i also use sp2 firewall never had problems what so ever.

[LaptopExtreme]

Service packs aren't supposed to be a preference, it's a necessity. The latest service pack should be installed. Not because of bugs or faults, but security issues alone that arise through time. Just like a virus checker, if there's a new virus, you should always have the latest patch or fix for anything that may arise. If there's a problem or conflict reguarding a program locking up or something not working correctly, an update is always the best route to go. From new bios's, firmware, patches, updates, etc. - they were put out for a reason.