Dare I run Windows XP without SP2

themightypuck

I'm running an old p4 socket 478 box on winxp without sp2. I'm behind an fsecure firewall and my browser is firefox with noscript. Am I nuts to just leave well enough alone and not install SP2?

My old socket 478 p4 box died (figured it was the MB) and I decided to fix it with a 7 dollar refurb from Mwave. When I try to boot of the old HD it fails. So I reinstall and all it works. I install all the security updates etc. and it still works. Then I install SP2 and it dies. It won't boot even in safe mode. I install windows on a clean drive and it works. I do all the updates except SP2 and I'm fine.

Janin

If you're behind a NAT router, or running proper firewall software, there's no worries about running pre-SP2. Standard Windows advice still applies: don't use IE, and don't install software if you don't know where it's from.

themightypuck

Thanks. I have no idea why sp2 is borking this box but I don't feel like installing everything again if it all goes pear shaped.

Deusfaux

lots of things require SP2 for installation or proper working..ness

and adding a firewall is hardly the only change it brought about to windows xp

FyreWulff

Are you installing SP2 from Windows Update or are you using the massive 250MB SP2 updater?