I am thinking of installing SP1a (I've installed the critical updates already). The thing is I had bad experiences with SP1 in the past which caused windows to slow down to a snail's pace and Internet Explorer repeatedly crashing for no apparent reason. I had to backup important files, reformat my hardrive than do a fresh install of Windows XP. If anybody else is having these or other problems which you think is SP1 related, please comment here, as I don't want to make the same mistake TWICE. Thank-you 8) Kev.

If SP1 casued you problems then SP1a isn't going to help. The only difference between SP1 and SP1A is that 1A does not include the Microsoft Virtual Machine. If you do not have a Java VM then you have to download the Sun Java VM. Having said that, I have never had any problems with SP1 on either Home and Proffessional so I think your problems may lie elswhere. Stuart

Thanks for clearing up the difference between the 2 service packs Stuart. I can only assume it lies with SP1 because without it my system runs very smoothly, but after I had installed it one day explorer was crashing more times that a volvo crash test dummy. :O

I would agree with post#1. Your problem is with the system. Even if it runs smoothly without SP1 or SP1a then it means that XP is living with the problem. After SP1 XP can no longer live with the problem and assorted things happen. You probably have a piece of hardware or a device driver that is the cause of your problems. SP1 or 1a should be able to be loaded on any system without any adverse effects. I have done so many many times. Look carefully at your hardware if you have problems after installing SP1 or SP1a.

>> Even if it runs smoothly without SP1 or SP1a then it means that XP is living with the problem. << Yes, I agree with that. Just because SP1 manifests the problem, doesnt meant it causes it. Some time ago a wrote a proramme in Visual Basic. It worked fine for years on Windows 98. The Windows XP was installed and it started crashing regulary. Problem with Windows XP?. No, a problem with my programme. Windows 98 tolerated the error, but Windows XP couldn't. And the error, a Null value instead of a Zero in a Windows API call. That simple. It now runs perfect under both Windows 98 and XP. Stuart