Here is what Microsoft says about  service pack 2 .

Windows XP Service Pack 2

About once a year, Microsoft releases an update to Windows XP. These updates contain all the fixes and enhancements which have been made available in the previous year. The updates (called Service Packs) provide convenient, all-in-one access to the most up-to-date drivers, tools, security updates, patches, and customer-requested product changes.


 

The latest Service Pack for Windows XP—Service Pack 2 (SP2)—is all about security, and it’s one of the most important service packs ever released. It provides better protection against viruses, hackers, and worms, and includes Windows Firewall, Pop-up Blocker for Internet Explorer, and the new Windows Security Center.

Having personally installed it on several machines without a problem so far I highly recommend it.

Here is even more reasons to put in service pack2 to click here

Plus it has all the service pack 1 security fixes.

It also has a software firewall.

If you want to install it you can go to windows update and follow the instructions, it takes a long time over high speed internet over dial-up it probably takes hours.

 

Remember if you want me to install this for you can call me 631-321-9313 I have it on disk.. If you find this tip useful sign my guestbook and tell me about it. So if you have dial-up I can install it in less then an hour.