Bonjour!When sp2 was out,i didn't instal it because lot of critics.But now , from this september,Microsoft don't support update of Xp if Sp2 is not installed.So i ask me if it is time for Sp2 for me.My question:someone meet incompatibilty Sp2 and Vue infinite 5 or others graphic softs? thanks

Sp2 is definitely worth the download - there is much better security, among other things. In terms of copmpatability with Infinite, I find that Vue works a little better (less crashes) with Sp2.

-Zak

I held off for a long time, expecting problems. When I finally installed it about 10 months ago, I have had no problems. Hasn't interfered with anything

Thanks.I will install too

No problem, martial.

Well..I DO NOT use SP2. As for MS not supporting you unless you have SP2 installed..this is not true. Windows update will NOT work but, you can still download & install patches from technet-(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/Downloads/default.mspx). I have run into several issues with SP2. The main "issue" is unexplained "slowness" when opening folders (pretty sure it has to do with indexing). As for increased security..bah.. the MS firewall is pathetic...get a real firewall if you think you need one. IMHO..wait for SP3.

One thing I should add. I have installed SP2 on many machines without a problem. SP2 works well on "most" machines. However..there are the "few" that have issues. My point is..don't fix what aint broke. Do a google for SP2 issues/annoyances. Not everyone is happy with SP2. One thing to remember..use the system restore feature! Create a restore point before you try SP2....if your system doesn't like it..roll back to your restore point. Good luck.

Over a period of a few months we've returned all PC's on the network to a clean XP Pro + SP1 and we won't allow any updates after SP1 to be installed. A hardware and software firewall, a decent AV package and the application of a little common sense does wonders in the way of security.

It sure makes a difference, we're back to normal speed in all applications, no unwanted access blocks to local and netfiles, no max overkill security protection that prevents you from using the PC the way you want to.

MS security protects you from "harm" by preventing you from going anywhere, if you can't get anywhere you can't get hurt and you won't have a reason to sue us which is their main worry.

btw. You can still download SP1 as a single file from MS, for that matter you can download SP2 as an .exe and all the little updates after SP2 as single files too.

I am one of the unhappy ones.I upgraded about 2 moths ago to SP2 and my pc did some unbelievably crazy things afterwords(auto rebooting,auto defrag ect.) So i assumed my installed version that was on the PC when i bought it was warez(not uncommon at all) so i bought XP/SP2,and although my 3D progs(Vue,Poser,Photoshop and gaming) work better my pc tends to freeze to a necessary restart when rendering at least 3-4 times a week.I know it could be overheating and or voltage issues,but i personally think it is SP2.Otherwise it is good for its security enhancements alone.All ican say is GOOD LUCK,and be prepared for a reformat just in case.

In my experience as a computer support professional, SP2 does "cause" issues, but in 99% of cases it's because a problem existed before but was not evident, or not as serious. So if anything SP2 tends to magnify problems or bring them to the surface, but the problems are usually there to begin with. PSU's without enough power, heat issues, questionable RAM quality, overclocking, unnecessary resident programs, etc. I run SP2 without problem on all 5 of my home systems, and the customer's systems I've run into issues with have all proved to have underlying problems. Although you could say "If it aint broke, don't fix it", in many of the cases it seems more like a blessing to be made aware of the problem earlier so it can be addressed. Better to take care of a potential issue now than be caught out by it later. Just my 2 cents though. - Oshyan

Thanks every ones.i have finally installed SP2.For now,no problem.Hope it will continue

I was forced to go to XP SP2, when my new computer hardware demanded it...and besides not having some functions I liked in win2k, it is running like a top! (ie: very well!!) with vue, poser etc... the secret is RAM - I have 2 gigs...but NOT duel channel...what I have found from my son who builds machines as a job and my hubby working on my machine is that most duel channel ram runs very very hot, and can cause the strangest things to happen on the machine...things that you think are the OS, or even hardware..but after the cooler single channel ram (sitting in the duel channel slots) all is well! Of course I can buy the best duel channel that is made to dispurse the heat the best...but then I cannot afford 2 gigs! And that ram makes SO much difference in the performance of all my software!! No more crashes in my vue infinite!! I have also now been testing the latest vue 5i update (so I can go shopping at the cornicopia store) and so far it is just fine. My son warned me that the ram can cause all kinds of very odd and always different bad things happening... and it turned out to be true! I don't think it is SP2 - I think SP2 has finally made XP work right! (in my opinion).

That's good to know about the RAM, because i always though dual-channel was better... Good to know...

JavaJones said - "PSU's without enough power, heat issues, questionable RAM quality, overclocking, unnecessary resident programs, etc."

All true but, how does SP2 "fix" those issues?
It doesn't...as you said..it only highlights them.
The best fix would be to address "those" issues directly.
Which would negate the need for SP2 at all...no?

Also...Zak...Dual channel IS better/faster. If your RAM is hot..cool it...simple really!

Be aware though..that not all ram is equal.
Dodgey RAM IS the biigest issue in 99% of cases.

oh. I see.