Safe to take XP without any SPs online?

[Cyber Akuma]

I have an old copy of Windows XP that I am about to install, it doesn't even have SP1 on it.

I remember hearing that it is very dangerous to take an outdated copy of XP online without protection, that it will become infected within moments without even surfing to a single website, is this true? Should I install antivirus and firewalls before connecting the system online? I remember hearing that sometimes XP needs to install some small updates before installing an SP, is this true, or can I install XP offline, then download SP3 from another PC and install that offline without any problems?

What method would you recommend I do? (Other than slipstreaming)

[Rudy]

No it's not safe, there are a lot of viruses that will render the OS useless in minutes

[I am Reid]

Are you going to normal sites like yahoo, myspace, youtube, ect..., or are you going to hardcore scat porn sites?

[Pierce28]

Only if you go to hazardous websites and download every executable file you find.

[rajputwarrior]

download sp3 offline install, put it on a disk or a usb drive or something. install xp without an internet connection, install sp3 after xp is done installing then take it online. It will take mere moments for xp to get infected

[Martog]

From what I found out SP3 won't install unless you have at least SP1a installed. So you will need to download SP1a or SP2 as well as SP3 to get it fully service packed. You can safely install the OS, it won't get compromised in a mater of minutes even if just sitting there online long as you are behind a firewall and don't browse anywhere. Just download the SP1a or SP2 and SP3 network installs on another PC and copy them over anyway you want to.

[Madoshi]

first thing i think... get the installers for SP1 and SP3 and install them. as far as i know, you can skip SP2. install them offline (burn to CD), then put on an antivirus program of choice. then get online and do Windows Updates. it will save you alot of time and keep the outdated system off the internet till it is at least somewhat up to date.

[sundayx Veteran]

You won't ge infected sitting on an idle conenction can you?

[Martog]

You won't ge infected sitting on an idle conenction can you?

Unless it is directly connected to the internet without a router, no it isn't going to happen, people are just spreading a bunch of FUD.

[Dance.]

Unless it is directly connected to the internet without a router, no it isn't going to happen, people are just spreading a bunch of FUD.

[Vice]

Are you going to normal sites like yahoo, myspace, youtube, ect..., or are you going to hardcore scat porn sites?

haha :laugh:

[soumyasch]

You won't ge infected sitting on an idle conenction can you?

If the network (may be directly to the Internet, or even any other local network) has any machine infected with worms, there is a high probability that you will get infected. Windows XP pre-SP2 doesn't even have the firewall on by default. If you turn the firewall on manually, you will be a bit more safer.

[sundayx Veteran]

So you can then?!

[jimbo11883]

Just get an XP SP3 disc instead.

[Martog]

If the network (may be directly to the Internet, or even any other local network) has any machine infected with worms, there is a high probability that you will get infected. Windows XP pre-SP2 doesn't even have the firewall on by default. If you turn the firewall on manually, you will be a bit more safer.

Well if he has another machine on the local network that is infected that's a whole other issue. Point is if no machine on the local network is infected he's fine long as he doesn't really go anywhere, to be honest he could go to the Microsoft website on the XP non-SP install and grap the SP files that way as well and still be safe..

[John.D]

Can you install SP2 then 3?? Since SP1 / SP1a is a bit hard to find now (its no longer on the MS site - well the small file is, the network install isnt)). As someone has already said, you need SP1 or 2 (altho I dont know if SP2 works without SP1), before you install SP3

[Tech Star]

If you go on the normal sites like Yahoo!, Google, MSN, things that big you will be fine. Don't search for sites and click on links you don't know.

No you can't get a virus from having an idle computer running. That's BS.

[Martog]

Can you install SP2 then 3?? Since SP1 / SP1a is a bit hard to find now (its no longer on the MS site - well the small file is, the network install isnt)). As someone has already said, you need SP1 or 2 (altho I dont know if SP2 works without SP1), before you install SP3

You can install SP2 without SP1 or SP1a being installed, then install SP3 after SP2 is installed.

[random_n]

The issue with XP pre-SP2 was that the firewall didn't activate at the same time as the network connection, so there was a delay between network-on and firewall-on. This left a window of opportunity for the IP scanning worms to get in.

If you have a NAT router or firewall (any off-the-shelf router will do), then you will be safe to connect and make a visit to Windows Update.

[John.D]

Sweet thanks for that.

[trenzterra]

I don't know if it still applies now, but I don't think it's just a case of FUD.

When worms such as Blaster etc. were prevalent you could be infected without doing anything.

I remember once when I just reformatted as I was about to download SP2 immediately, bam, I received the Windows will shutdown in 60 seconds message.

But I believe if you have Windows Firewall enabled at the time when you configure your internet connection, you should be rather safe.

[neo1911]

I know this is gonna sound dodgy.. But if you have a genuine licence key then download XP SP3 integrated version from somewhere and use your key. But again be very careful and make sure that the one you download/borrow is clean version.

[redvamp128]

I don't know if it still applies now, but I don't think it's just a case of FUD.

When worms such as Blaster etc. were prevalent you could be infected without doing anything.

I remember once when I just reformatted as I was about to download SP2 immediately, bam, I received the Windows will shutdown in 60 seconds message.

But I believe if you have Windows Firewall enabled at the time when you configure your internet connection, you should be rather safe.

To avoid the blaster issue- you could offline go into services.msc (typed at the run) look for the Remote Procedural Call - then under the properties set the do not reboot option upon errors- (that used to be the way before a fix was applied) to allow you to stay online without it booting you offline until you could get SP1. I used to have a XP Gold around here until I slipstreamed service pack 1. Also setting the do not reboot upon erros in the system tab. As well as turning on the windows firewall.

But personally I would not trust a XP machine unless it had Service Pack 2 installed ... or Service pack 1 with a decent firewall.

[Rudy]

If you go on the normal sites like Yahoo!, Google, MSN, things that big you will be fine. Don't search for sites and click on links you don't know.

No you can't get a virus from having an idle computer running. That's BS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_%28computer_worm%29

get your facts straight buddy :rolleyes:

[Tech Star]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_%28computer_worm%29

get your facts straight buddy :rolleyes:

Get your facts straight. How do you get a virus from websites that are perfectly safe (the big ones: Yahoo!, Google, MSN)? If you don't visit any website that is shady then you can run the system idle while running Windows Update to update your PC.

My comment "No you can't get a virus from having an idle computer running. That's BS.", was meant towards running the PC and updating it while connected to the internet. Not visiting thousands of websites that are shady and then leaving it idle.