How do you guys setup XP?

[Joni Nitro]

I am wondering how you guys keep you OS. I have WinXP w/SP1, and heard a lot of crap regarding SP2. Also, do you always load all the updates or pick and choose. I am not to concerned with a lot of security, but maybe any fixes that may help XP run a little better/smoother. Let me know, thanks.

[darknite]

If i dont have a sp2 windows disc (if using customers) i load the windows, sp2, drivers (chipset, agp, lan etc.), windows updates (very rarely do i load drivers from windows) then a/v, spyware tools, and main progs used. defrag. Double check updates and drivers, and send it off. Thats about the easiest way on a new load for me. No problems unless finding a driver or the hardware is bad.

[djnes]

I update as they become available. The only crap about SP2 is that people tried installing it on a spyware-riddled machine, and it had problems. Clean your system of any malware, and then install it right away. You may not be concerned about security, but those of us who share the same internet with you are. By not installing security patches, your leaving holes open on your system. I also slipstream the latest service pack into my XP CD, so whenever I use it to rebuild a machine, it gets the latest SP level.

[Phoenix86]

Service packs are not optional with regard to security. You may not be interested in security, until you box gets owned. I'll be blunt an say you're being ignorant on this topic. Some people have had issues with installing SP2, but their machines had problems to begin with. When these people format/install SP2 clean it works every time.

Personally I have set my home machine to auto-update/auto-install. It has never borked a thing by getting updates.

As far as not having an SP2 install disk you can create your own by "slipstreaming" the service pack into the original disk using autostreamer. It creates a WXPSP2 CD.

http://www.mentallyretired.com/h3/index.cfm/u_45754 (http://www.mentallyretired.com/h3/index.cfm?a=doMyStats&u_id=45754)

[DougLite]

My SP2 boxes boot faster than my SP1 boxes as ever did, and are more responsive across the board. I do turn off MS's new security stuff, as I prefer to do it myself. However, as others have pointed out, there is nothing wrong with SP2, and it is indeed better code.

Also, like it or lump it, new drivers, anti-virus programs, etc are coded for the latest service pack. Running an outdated service pack may cause problems with such programs.

[Grimmda]

I keep XP/SP2 Slipped disc on hand. I create images with Ghost and App packages with Symantec's AI Builder. I also keep a "XP Base load" image on hand for those moments of needing a clean O/S on a box for testing.

[odoe]

I slipstreamed my XP with SP2 as well. I do all the updates, just keep it on auto-updating.

[lomn75]

I haven't slipstreamed SP2 yet, but I've got an XP install that's been running since, oh, the month of release. I've got a second copy with SP2, though, so I don't see a need to bother now :)

As for updates, anything under "Critical" goes on to every machine ASAP, no exceptions. I auto-download manual-install just so the system doesn't decide that mid-game is a good time to prompt for a restart. All non-gaming systems are on auto-install.

The best tweak to keep XP running smoothly is to patch your box. No infections => no funky behavior.

Drivers I'm far less concerned with. I'm still running the Catalysts that came with my 9600 Pro, for instance, as (1) they're stable and (2) there aren't any security holes I'm aware of in a video driver. If I'm wrong on (2), please let me know.

[Joni Nitro]

Wow, there is some really good info here, thanks. As far as not being concerened with sercurity. I didnt mean to say that I dont care about it, but I am used to how the military runs things and it can be a little overboard. I may try to add SP2 to my install disk. Thanks, again