I have never had a problem with Adware, viruses, or spyware so if this is the only problem then I don't need SP2 for anything (except FSX it seems).Regards, Carlos

That's not the only thing SP2 fixes. For more information about what exactly is included in SP2, you can check this page which has a list of all the updates included in SP2:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811113/"Let me help you out. You're cleared to taxi any way you can to any runway you see."

Hey.. at least they didn't force Windows Vista on you!Scott :9

Bye bye. It's been stated for a year or so that NOTHING will be released that does not require SP2 to be installed.If you're stupid enough to want to leave yourself open to every cracker on the net that's your business, but Microsoft isn't going to help you do it by spending a lot of time and money to make sure their products work with old unsupported versions of their operating systems.Gosh, I was so disappointed that FS2004 didn't work with DOS 3.1, which as everyone knows is the best operating system Microsoft ever produced.They should be ashamed of themselves not to have provided backwards compatibillity (or better yet, free operating system upgrades for all time).I do hope you become a Linux user and never install security updates there.In a few days you will be completely unable to use your system because of all the crackers who will swarm to your wide open machine like flies to a jar of jam.

>Why not just buy windows ;-) ZING! My thoughts exactly.

Hi.If that indeed remains the case, they are shooting themselves in the foot, because most of the Pilots I know, that use FS, do not want to get close to SP2 and nor will I. Just when you think that these guys are becoming reasonable they pull a stunt like this. First they mess up the original OS, then they mess up SP1, SP2 is not much better, and now they want the paying customers to make up for it. I would venture to guess that 50% of the present users have no SP2. Good luck to them. TV>It seems Windows XP service pack 2 is required to install the FSX

They probably will, just wait a year or so. You will hear an anouncement from Micro$. Windows XP no longer suported.Regards, Carlos

Most of what you're using as reasons not to load important security and bug fixes are conjecture and rumor. I have been using SP2 for 2 years and have never seen any issues at all...period. The problem for MSFT is that they're damned if they do, and damned if they don't. If they don't ensure a secure OS, then they get ripped. If they do, then folks like you will rip them for not supporting every past version. It's a no win situation, and they certainly make no money pushing SP2. In fact, it's a huge initial cost but the end goal of a standard and more secure platform is the benefit, along with the eventual reduction in support costs. My suggestion for you is to not listen to a few 2 year old rumors about some one-off problem and just load SP2 like the other 99.9% of users have and join the crowd.

Hey Jwenting, I didnt call anyone stupid. There is no need to insult anyone here. I do use linux (Suse) with no problems as part of a triple boot I play around with sometimes. AS for sp2 I haven't needed it till now. I will deal with it.Thank you for being so courteous to loyal Avsim members with your rants.My 2 cents, Carlos

Finally someone with some good info. I went ahead and installed it on one of my computers to test it out. It is using like 20mb more memory which I asume are the security center and Windows firewall. I already have a hardware firewall so don't need security center. You mention that it can be disabled. Where do you disable it from without uninstalling the whole thing?Regards, Carlos

I did just install it, thanks, I have joined the crowd and FS9 still works at least. Still trying to disable that security center though. Using up like 20MB of memory. Downloading the FSX demo now (again, I was so furious I deleted my previous download). Regards, Carlos

The Security Center has a control panel. And if you have a software firewall (say Sysgate Personal Firewall) it can tell that you have it installed. Same with an anti-virus program. (I use AVG Free) Also, in the Security Center, check the "Change the way Security Center alerts me" link on the left if you do disable something. (And, even with a hardware firewall, I'd recommend installing a 3rd party software firewall. A good software firewall can protect against outbound traffic from spyware/trojans/etc.)"Let me help you out. You're cleared to taxi any way you can to any runway you see."

Hi, Neil.It is obvious that you are not honest, with yourself and others, or don't know any better. I have a couple questions for you. What firewall protection are you using? And Why? As far as problems and Security issues are concerned, you must live in the La La land if you think SP2 offers you 100% protection. And there quite a number of Drivers and some older utilities, and apps that many people / businesses are using, that have all sorts of problems with SP2. You must be using your system to play games and in that case you will never know and or understand reality. This OS is used in more than just games. Question to you, Who is paying for the time and effort that the customers are forced to go through? TV>Most of what you're using as reasons not to load important>security and bug fixes are conjecture and rumor. I have been>using SP2 for 2 years and have never seen any issues at>all...period.

>Finally someone with some good info. I went ahead and>installed it on one of my computers to test it out. It is>using like 20mb more memory which I asume are the security>center and Windows firewall. I already have a hardware>firewall so don't need security center. You mention that it>can be disabled. Where do you disable it from without>uninstalling the whole thing?>>Regards, CarlosI disable the stuff until I decide that I want the latest updates, which I get from time to time. Why, because there are several services running all the time which can use up resources, one as you have mentioned is a little RAM. So...Go to 'Control Panel --> System --> Automatic Updates tab' and Turn off Automatic UpdatesGo to Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Services and the turn the following Services to 'Manual'(under the Startup Type column) if they are not already...Automatic UpdatesBackground Intelligent Transfer ServiceHelp and SupportSecurity CenterSystem Restore(unless you use it, I don't)Task Scheduler(unless you need/use it for other purposes, I don't)Although it's possible I missed one I think that's it. Next time you reboot the Security Center, Automatic Updates should be turned off, and all those Services should should show as Manual(under the Status coloumn).Occasionally(once a month), you should put all those Services back to Automatic and turn Windows Update back on(Control Panel Control Panel --> System --> Automatic Updates tab), and then the next time you reboot Automatic Update will run, after a little bit of time anyway. Automatic Update will not work without turning those Services back to 'Automatic' first, even if you enable it.Hope that helps,OneTinSoldier

Thanks, I use free Zone Alarm as well as the Hardware firewall.Regards, Carlos