I think XP would not let u install a few things unless you have SP2 installed. I found it out on one of my mates computer i was trying to fix as he was unable to get USB2.0 drivers to install and Active Sync4 or 5 i dunno. SO there are some resrtiction that MS place for the dodgy XP users. Unless you have an original copy of windows i dont think you can install SP2 on XP.

Do correct me if i m wrong.

Raj

you are wrong. SP2 is downloadable directly from MS offsite, as a separate installation package (276Mb), no validations or checks.
also, most packages do install on SP1 and even SP0

the network installation for it professionals one.

SP1 can be installed on to a dodgy copy but didnt find SP2 getting installed but then again I never tried the MS Offsite thingy..whatever that might be anyways. And as Jbennet say it is the network installations for IT Professionals then its outta my scope of knowledge as i don't consider myself to be anywhere close to IT Professional as yet...

Raj

its easy, its just an huge windows installer package

so what i understand out of what you and dima say is you can install sp2 on dodgy xp copy and MS Offsite provides it. Why would MS do such a thing as obviously it doesnt create any revenues for them and making people benefit rather than them. How did this happen I mean MS woul dnever allow such a thing. Unless MS in MS Offsite doesnt mean Microsoft.If it is something MS is doing via their own website than I think I might have found a wee bit respect for that company in my heart now. Please tell me they are not the ones who are doing a good deed...please
Raj

offsite = official site.

MS is pretty happy that people use pirated windows copies at home, since it creates a client base of people used to windows in businesses. and MS is even happier when people use pirated software at businesses, because that gives them huge amounts of money in legal fines, and creates loud processes advertised all over the world, and those frighten bigger potential pirates.

there was a story about RedHat actually being happy with CentOS on the frontpage here, this is more or less the same case

but centos isnt a pirate

centos is a copy of rh, minus the logos. that's basically all they do - replace logos and maintain the repos and that actually gives redhat business, since any serious company can try out centos, decide it is good for them, and then go and buy redhat for support

oracle are doing it but in a bad way for RH

Oracle ubreakable is a copy of CentOS, oracalised, and with support thats cheaper than RH