I just want some people's opinions on whether or not it is good to keep my service packs updated. Do they offer more? Do they prevent me from doing things I can do now? Or do they do absolutly nothing. Thanks for your help.

I am using Windows 2000 SP4 RC 4.36, and it is very stable even for a beta. I have only encountered 2 issues with this bould. One is with VMWare causing lsass.exe to crash and take down the system, the other is Autodisconenct hangs when executing. Other than that, \itis very stable. Hopwever, the bugs should be fixed by the time it hits RTM. Also, SP3 is very stable and this is the latest "Official" service pack that is avialable from Microsoft. I have only experienced 2 crashes with this service pack, and it it very stable. Many bugs are fixed with this release, and I would reccomend installing it to eliminate previously know veunribilities. I would also reccomend keeping up to date with the latest hot fixes, and installing Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 for oprimum preformance. If you game, install DirectX 9.0 for optimum gaming compatibility. If you enjoy WMP8 that is found in XP, install Windows Media Player 9 for more functionality, an new features. A favorite feature of mine is the ability to burn CD's with the media player if your have a CD burner. In short, applying the latest service packs and hotfixes is always a good idea. If will make your machine more difficult to crack into by unauthorized peoples. Most new features are not included in service packs, because corporate customers do not nessesarily require DirectX 9, WMP9, or IE6. If you want these features, you will have to download them from Windows Update. I would reccomend installing IE 6 SP1 though, you have stricter privacy and cookie controls, and also Personalized menus.

If you want to be vulnerable to security exploits, virii and buggy code, then by all means, don't install the service pack.

I also believe you should keep up with the SP and the Hot fixes, but I suggest waiting a month or so to allow for bugs to be found (by others) and give Microsoft a chance to patch the issues. And, as always, read (or at least skim) the release notes and check your current apps for compatibility before applying any patches.

I recently installed Win2000 on my (Dual PIII 1GHz) home machine. Since it was a clean install I decided to put SP3 on it. For the next three days I had continuous lockups, hangs, freezes and BSODs. After checking out the posts on Microsoft's NG, I blew away the OS and reinstalled with SP2. It has been running like a champ ever since. I have kept up to date on security fixes, but I will not even consider installing SP3 on my machine. I also agree with Joel's comments. Too many of MSs security patches have needed an "oops-we-goofed" fix because the cure was worse than the disease. Prang