Should I update windows xp update?

[FlyingPOGO22]

Hello,

I haven't installed service pack 1 for my windoes xp. Will that make a difference if I update it? Will it improve the performance for Flight Simulator?

Thanks,
Brian

[drobson]

I don't know that it will help with flight sim, but it certainly will give you some added protection for your computer.

Darrell

[Bruce]

put it this way, if your back door had no lock on it would you consider upgrading to door with a lock?

[Waltm]

I have Windows XP Pro and I keep in sync with the Microsoft updates as much as possible. I have yet to experience any adverse effects to FS2004.

Like Darrell said, the important thing is protection. Viruses have become more aggressive and destructive lately, and after seeing one of my clients lose an enormous amount of data to MyDoom.F recently, I'm taking no chances.

-- Walt

Flying FS2004 at 1600x1200x32

Intel Pentium 4, 2.0 GHz
Windows XP Pro
512MB PC800 RDRAM,8100
128MB ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
CATALYST Windows XP 3.10 video driver
DirectX 9.0b
ViewSonic P95f+ 19 inch Ultrabrite CRT Monitor
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Creative I-Trigue 2.1 3300 Speakers
MS ForceFeedback 2 joystick

[wsieffert]

Yes! One of the things SP1 does is allow you to pick a Vertical Screen refresh rate higher than 60Hz for your graphics card.

You better hurry since MS is about to collect all the pre-SP2 updates and more and issue SP2. There will be even more strict security updates in SP2.

W. Sieffert

[Barney]

<< put it this way, if your back door had no lock on it would you consider upgrading to door with a lock?>>

Not unless it also had a deadbolt, which prevents things from leaving to go out; and I had the only key, which prevents everyone else from getting in. It can be equally dangerous to depend upon SP1 and any other fix from MS by themselves.

[TheFlightMan]

I've said it before and I will say it again, if you are running today without SP1 and other Critical patches, you are a dead man walking. SP1 will not cause any major slowdowns to your system, despite what others here say. As for SP2, it will introduce a slew of things that revolve around security. So you might see problems connecting to certain services and stuff but after you configure the settings, it should all be good. Microsoft has plenty of information on SP2 which you can look up with Google or on their site, if you want to get a precise description of what will be changing. Do a search for Author and put in my name, you will find several posts about the same subject.

TheFlightMan

[mtindall]

I have installed none of the service packs. They are too much trouble keeping up with and are mainly patching holes for users of IE and other MS programs. I never use any MS programs when I am online and use efficient AV, anti-spam and anti-whatever else, I get along very well without these packs.

I use Mozilla Firebird browser, Calypso mail program, Dialog news client, K9 filter and a throwaway email address when necessary and when going to the news and user groups. I have had the occasional virus but without any ill effects. Have cut spam mail, which used to number around 50 per day, down to zero.

Which doesn't answer the original question on whether it affects FS9. I have a fairly low end system (P4 1.8 g, 128 ram and 64mb graphics card) and manage very well. But - I have absolutely nothing else running when on FS - which I think is the key to good frame rates. My frame rates average 24.9 with fps topped at 25.

Maurice

[cat]

I have XP Home. Have sp1 & have downloaded
every update since I got XP last Nov. Have never
had any trouble. FS2004 flies!!!
P4 3.0 GF4 Nvidia Ti4200 52.16 drivers 512 ram
Peter Sydney Australia

[zoynyne]

1. Yes.

2. No.

Unless something is already porked in your Windows installation... then it MIGHT be possible that SP1 goes in and fixes some messed up system files and then FS runs a little better...