Well, I bought XP Home SP2 (standalone - I built my own machine this time and I wanted to be able to continue using my OS no matter what I did to my PC) and I truly regret getting SP2. SP2 is slower than SP1 (admitted by MS Tech). It has all sorts of overhead and annoying "extras" (virus, firewall, anti-popup, etc.) that are not only worthless (there are free versions of all these things that run rings around microsoft's offerings) but are incompatible with better anti-virus, firewall, anti-popup, etc. that I already have and like. And the biggie - I ran SP1 for YEARS, with only 2 "updates" to fix specific bugs (like the NTFS renaming problem) and never had one single problem with viruses/trojans, etc. I installed SP2 and within days had virus/trojan/email-demon problems - I had to install it three times before I got a good image to keep for restoration. I think part of it is that MS SP2 "extra" stuff keeps turning itself back on and interfering with the GOOD software I have always used and that has always worked perfectly for me. I just hate it, and now I can't afford another $150 to buy an SP1 version - IF there are still any available - I only found one place that still had "a few." "Gettin it later" is not always an option - it may not be available. AnnaSummers ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick Glazier" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 10:42 AM Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Restoring/Reformatting Windows XP Two things come to mind. There is almost NO difference in the FULL "small-OEM" version of XP compared to the FULL retail version, except the price and support (none with OEM from MS.) Plus the OEM version is "married" to the hardware, and the Retail version can be moved to a replacement computer... Other than that, they are the same "inside"... So as long as you have your own install disk for OEM and a legal key, I see no reason to go any further... (If there is a reason, can that be handled by getting it later when actually needed?) Having said all that, I see no reason for NOT wanting SP2 on MY system. What are your specific concerns? (On-list please.) SP2 has a better firewall, that is turned on by default, and is worth the (free) upgrade all by itself. (There are lots of other reasons.) Rick Glazier From: "Computer9" >I have an HP machine (never again) and I loaded a separate, standalone OEM >XP with my HP OEM activation key (it won't work with a >retail XP). But I had to find all the drivers for all the stuff (sound, >etc.) that HP built into the motherboard - took weeks! >They give you 12 disks (if you write and make noise) that reinstalls (ie >destroys) your entire system. HP provides no drivers for >their hardware components except with the destructive restore disks. Now I am very happy however, and I don't have all the spyware, adware, and other (not uninstallable) garbage that HP puts on the PC - they actually sell YOUR disk space to other vendors - they actually admitted this to me - said it was how they "kept costs down." I will build or have someone build my next machine. I am trying to find a legal retail version of XP Home SP1 because I don't want SP2 on my machine either - especially not VISTA (the big brother of all big brothers). Anna Summers PCSOFT's List Owner's: Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]> Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]> --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0652-6, 2006-12-01 Tested on: 2006-12-01 1:13:05 PM The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering our special coffee cups and mouse pads with the PCSOFT logo... at a great price!!! http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml