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Resolved Question

Are xp service pack 1&2 essential?

Jan 16, 2013 1:04AM PST

On my old computer I had XP but I decided to try Ubuntu for a while.(P4,2GB memory).After dissatisfaction with the Ubuntu . Now to replace XP I bought a disc without key number, since I had my number on the case. (I had misplaced my original XP disc)
This disc I bought , had XP Home and Pack 3,which I loaded and every thing went well. Now I find difficult to load Service Packs 1&2. I am not sure if the issue has anything to do with the disc I bought, I have updates loaded other than the packs.
Are these Packs necessary to the working of the computer. The computer seems to work OK.I have installed free anti-virus protection.
I have found my original disc as well. I wish to continue with XP as long as I can.

Should I reload the original XP?
Or leave it be and find a way to load the missing packs.

Discussion is locked

shafiqkhan31 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Re: SP1 and SP2
Jan 16, 2013 2:47AM PST

If SP3 installed succesfully, all is fine. No need for older servicepacks.

Kees

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Answer
Why Service Pack 1 and 2 needed?
Jan 16, 2013 2:47AM PST

"had XP Home and Pack 3"

I take it this means you have Service Pack 3 installed.

If that is the case, then, no, you do not need SP1 or SP2. Each Service Pack is cumulative, that is, each incorporates security fixes and new features since the earlier one was made.

So, SP3 would have both/all updates from SP1 and SP2 included.

Why do a clean install of the original XP and start over?

Original XP is a far different animal than the XP SP3 version, and only the SP3 version is still supported by MSFT. Original XP cannot support SATA drives, for example, not until it is upgraded to SP2 at the least. That is because no SATA drives were available in 2000.

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XP packs!
Jan 16, 2013 5:57PM PST

Thank you both of you for reassuring me about the need for Packs 1&2.
Grateful to you.
Shafiq

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Actually
Jan 16, 2013 9:35PM PST

Actually, starting with XP SP3, service packs stopped being cumulative. SP3 requires at least SP1a to be installed, and who knows if Windows 8 will ever even get a SP1 given Microsoft's recent allergy to service packs, toolbars, and several other things.