Windows XP-Service Pack 2 Available Now, Free of Charge

Home and Professional versions of Service Pack 2 (SP2) are now available, free of charge, for users with Windows XP. This critical update is designed to provide additional security features.

You may download SP2 from the University web site at [obsolete URL deleted]. Since SP2 can take a significant amount of time to download, CDs are also available at all UC Bookstores locations.

On-campus residents may contact the Residence Hall Computer Lab assistants at 556-1998 to borrow a CD or obtain assistance with the installation of SP2, or both. (Please note that you must return any CDs borrowed from a Lab.)

Reasons to Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

1. Helps protect your PC from harmful attachments, by alerting you to potentially unsafe attachments.
2. Improves your privacy when you use the web.
3. Avoids unsafe downloads. Internet Explorer will warn you about potentially harmful downloads.
4. Reduces annoying pop-ups with Internet Explorer Pop-Up Blocker.
5. Provides firewall protection from startup to shutdown.
6. Controls your security settings.
7. Provides the latest updates with enhancements to Windows XP's Automatic Updates feature.
8. Helps protect your email address. Improvements to Outlook Express help reduce unwanted spam.
9. Takes action against crashes caused by browser add-ons.
10. Allows you to "go wireless." (SP2 improves wireless support.)
    System Requirements for SP2

• 233 megahertz (MHz) processor
• 64 megabytes (MB) RAM
• 1.8 GB available hard disk space during installationPre-installation

Guide to Installing Windows Services Pack 2

Pre-installation

1. Start your computer and log on as an administrator.
2. Download the latest manufacturer updates prior to installing SP2. Manufacturer-specific support information for SP2 might already be available online. You may need to go to your PC manufacturer's web site to determine if you need special updates.
3. Download the latest updates for applications you are running. You may need to update other software installed on your PC for everything to work properly with SP2. Check the publishers' support sites for updates prior to installing SP2.
4. Download the latest Windows updates.
5. Perform a full back-up of all your files.
6. Create an Automated System Recovery (ASR).
7. Close all open programs.

Installation

• Insert the CD into your PC.
• Follow the onscreen instruction for installation of SP2.
• After the installation is complete, restart your computer.
  

The next time you use your PC, make sure your security essentials are all marked ON. To do this, click Start, then Control Panel, then Security Center. At this point, you are ready to start using Windows XP SP2 with Advanced Security Technologies.

Please call the UCit Help Desk at 556-HELP if you have any questions relating to SP2.

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