I need to buy an upgrade version of XPPro SP1 -

for the laptop I just bought

[vkaryl]

anyone have any ideas where I can get one? I categorically refuse to install XPPro SP2, and this machine came with HOME for catssakes! Machine itself is fine, but WHY would they choose to install HOME? Sheesh....

[PatrickDeese]

I believe if you go to windowsupdate.com and choose "custom install" and then look for the "install other updates" option, you will be able to download XP SP1 - however, I strongly recommend XP SP2 - I have been using it since it was RC 2 - and have been very satisfied with the performance - it does take a little getting used to though.

[vkaryl]

Hmm. Okay, PatrickDeese (um - will you hit me if I shorten that to PD?), what happens if I upgrade to SP2 but don't use IE? Will I be bypassing all the crap stuff that's been reported after upgrading? I ask because I don't use IE except for site testing anyway, but I understood there were "Other Issues" with SP2 besides just the browser wonkiness....

[CaseyRyan]

If you're doing site-testing and your audience is general public, you should probably upgrade to SP2. You're not going to test effectively without it.

[moishe]

I have upgraded over 100 of my clients PC's to SP2 in a variety of environments with different software in use etc., not 1 problem to date. I think all the talk of SP2 gimping up machines is just that.

On a secondary note, you said the machine you bought came with Home edition and you need Pro....? Are you running a network with a server? If not, why do you need Pro?

As a final note, if you really do need Pro for some reason, DO NOT UPGRADE from Home to Pro, do a clean install of Pro on the box.

As to why they would choose to install home, it costs less and is the default install with all PC makers, if you want a PC with XP Pro on it, you must order it that way and pay extra. (there are exeptions with certain boxes built for business use, but for the most part when you buy a PC you will get Home edition)

[vkaryl]

moishe: yes to all the above. Besides, Home has some stuff it does that I just do NOT like, and some other stuff I DO like that it doesn't have. No point really in going into detail, each to her own.

As to not upgrade - yes, I always clean install, but you can do that with the upgrade version as long as you have the OEM version available for proof.

In any case, it wasn't that I didn't know what to do or how to do it (I've been a windows user since 1986 appx.), or that I was trying to get around "proper payment" - it was mostly not wanting to download a bunch of stuff on dialup, and aside from that, laziness....

[moishe]

You could always get MS to send all the current updates on cd...

[vkaryl]

Possibility, moishe. Spaced that one. I'll look into it.

In any case, I'll just buy what I have to - it's not the money (I never complain about buying the software I need and use), it's that regardless some of you are in love with SP2, I am not....