Hey all,
I know this is probably a common problem, but couldnt find it in the forum (new user ) I have a desktop with XP Home service pack 1 installed. I have attempted to install service pack 2 several times and each time I end up restoring the system to an earlier date. The problems I get are strange. Sometimes the pc wont boot at all, sometimes it wont all me to log in, other times it just freezes. I have tried turning off my Mcafee Security Suite and all other programs, but nothing seems to work. Do I really need Service Pack 2? Is there a website that will tell me if the OS I have is genuine, as I am leaning toward this being a problem. I received the computer used, without the appropriate disks. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

If you connect to Microsoft updates, it will check if your version is genuine or not.

If it's not legal, then it will not update.

I don't know if you installed your windows, and then service pack 1, but if you have to ever re install, service pack 2 also contains service pack 1 , so you don't have to install 1 separately.

it is worth going to microsoft website, and updating , You will know then one way or another.

All the best.

does your tower have a sticker on the top/side saying "microsoft windows xp home edition" and a product key?

if it does, you can borrow a disk (xp home with sp 1 or 2) and do a clean install, when it comes to registering, you just use that cd key.... this is legal as long as you are only using this key on one computer.

As Fingees said, you can check on microsofts website if your windows software is genuine... link

SP2 has important security updates, i personally would not connect to the internet with sp1.... then again, having a firewall and most probably antivirus installed(??) you should be ok

alternativly, you could buy a copy of xp be careful when buying from places like eBay, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!!