SP2 or no? + HD enclosure question

[///M]

I just restored my laptop to it's former glory, and there's no SP2. Should I go for it and update? All the advantages I saw were simply cosmetic, so maybe someone would mention some hidden benefit that demands an immediate update.

EDIT


I just got a new 160GB HD to add to my current 40GB, and it's in an enclosure. This HD is going to have all my media, so it's going to be used alot. I was wondering how long should I be keeping it on? I don't think there's a risk of overheating because I backed up all my stuff, which took a good hour, and it didn't feel that hot. Not to mention my room can get darn cold. Should I shut it off every time I'm not using it, or just keep it on? It's an IDE if that helps.

 

[Lilleput]

Im maby not the one to ask but i have had nothing but problems with sp2, my internetconnection would dissapear and my computer get slow. But im sure im just a dork who dont know how to set it up.

 

[jeffy777]

if you use wireless, get SP2. It makes it a lot easier to connect, setup connections , etc.

Plus there are a lot of security fixes in SP2....

There's really no reason I can think of not to isntall it.

I waited a long time before I updated to it, but I haven't had any problems since then so I always install it when I put XP on any system. I made a slipstream disc where it automatically installs with XP.

 

[fluke667]

if you are behind a router it's not so important to update
but if your pc is connected directly via modem it's absolutely necessary to have the latest updates installed

@Lilleput
you can patch the connection limit that sp2 introduces (maybe that's what slows your pc down)
look here http://www.xp-antispy.org/

 

[jensked]

update!

virtually every Windows XP user should upgrade to this release as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of its enhanced security features. And for heaven's sake, do yourself a favor and leave Windows Firewall and Automatic Updates on, please. Get a compatible anti-virus package; I recommend McAfee VirusScan, which is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and unobtrusive, or Symantec's corporate-oriented AntiVirus product. Finding incompatibilities with Windows Firewall? Try a third party product, such as Zone Alarm or Tiny Personal Firewall; either one is superior to Windows Firewall and offers outbound protection as well as inbound, a feature Windows Firewall lacks.

 

[Shawn]

Do it. These harcore computer nerds will tell you not to do it because Microsoft has done this or that and fucked with your system ping stat whatever. But do it, it has a lot of security features and like someone already said, much better WiFi connectivity.

However, one thing that SP2 does is block the number of incoming connections you can recieve = butt slow speeds on BitTorrent = no TG/FG. To do this look for a download called TCPIP.sys patcher, download, and follow the instructions. Takes like 20 seconds. Don't be afraid to go as high as you want, I'm at 100,000.



Edit: Since you were probably going to ask, just look here.

 

[jeffy777]

hmm, I've never noticed any slowdowns, but I'll try the patch and see if it speeds anything up as far as BT goes

 

[hokiethang]

Do it. These harcore computer nerds will tell you not to do it because Microsoft has done this or that and fucked with your system ping stat whatever. But do it, it has a lot of security features and like someone already said, much better WiFi connectivity.

Actually most of us really want people with the latest security updates on the internet, because it speeds the internet up for all of us. As for problems with SP2, there really aren't any. I have been running Windows XP SP2 on my machine at home, with no modifications at all, flawlessly for the past couple of months. I have no problems with network speed, but since I am behind a router, I have the windows firewall turned off. It's to the point now I just install using a slipstreamed windows xp disc (SP2 dumped into the Windows XP installer disc). I whole heartedly suggest upgrading to SP2 despite what you have heard.

 

[Shawn]

So you mean you're a computer nerd? So am I bud, I wouldn't know this stuff otherwise. I'm talking about the people who basically didn't even upgrade up from Windows 2000, because XP might bring down your FLOPS output by like 1 megahertz or whatever.

If you're using SP2, then you're not the demographic I was referring to. I'm talking like fat ass teenagers who buy cartons of Red Bull from Costco and go to CS LAN parties and stay up for weeks on end playing it and only stop to go to a Star Wars convention and oggle William Shatner's hot booty.

 

[///M]

Kick ass.

I was using SP2 before, I just wanted to make sure before I install it. Thanks for the help.

 

[///M]

Oh yeah, another question, don't want to open up a new topic.

I just got a new 160GB HD to add to my current 40GB, and it's in an enclosure. This HD is going to have all my media, so it's going to be used alot. I was wondering how long should I be keeping it on? I don't think there's a risk of overheating because I backed up all my stuff, which took a good hour, and it didn't feel that hot. Not to mention my room can get darn cold. Should I shut it off every time I'm not using it, or just keep it on? It's an IDE if that helps.

 

[freerider]

Oh yeah, another question, don't want to open up a new topic.

I just got a new 160GB HD to add to my current 40GB, and it's in an enclosure. This HD is going to have all my media, so it's going to be used alot. I was wondering how long should I be keeping it on? I don't think there's a risk of overheating because I backed up all my stuff, which took a good hour, and it didn't feel that hot. Not to mention my room can get darn cold. Should I shut it off every time I'm not using it, or just keep it on? It's an IDE if that helps.

I leave my enclosure on all the time (no fan). No problems whatsoever. This depents to your enclosure though.

 

[jayjaya29]

External Harddrives have basically the same components as internal harddrives (which are on all the time). So I don't think it would matter much if its on or off.