XP SP1 or RTM?

[Mike Hagerty]

Greetings, What is the difference between XP pro SP1 and RTM ? The
MS update catalog lists XP-SP1 and XP-RTM. I would like to download the
correct files for a reinstall of XP-PRO, however there is nothing on the
XP packaging that makes the distinction between the two flavors.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration
Mike H.

[Thorsten Matzner]

Mike Hagerty > wrote:

>Greetings, What is the difference between XP pro SP1 and RTM ? The
>MS update catalog lists XP-SP1 and XP-RTM. I would like to download the
>correct files for a reinstall of XP-PRO, however there is nothing on the
>XP packaging that makes the distinction between the two flavors.

Check your version in the Control Panel > System.

--
(tm)

[Walter Hawn]

Mike,

I see you're still waiting for an answer to your question. Here it is:

"RTM" is MicroSpeak for "Release To Manufacture." It is the first shipping
version of an MS product after all the beta-testing and previews are done.
It is NOT a bug-free release. The worst of the bugs are often fixed in a
"Service Pack" or SP1. The remaining bugs are sometimes squashed by an SP2.
Seldom does MS bother with an SP3. Instead, you to shell out more bucks for
a 'new version' which begins the cycle all over again.

You can check which version you have by clicking 'help>about windows' in 'my
computer.' The first release will simply say "Windows Version 5.1 (Build
2600)". An SP1 will follow that with "Service Pack 1" on the same line.
There may be other numbers listed; the result of applying updates from the
update site.

If your WinXP install disk is RTM, you can DL SP1 free from the update site
and apply it. It fixes some security problems and other bugs, but has been
known to slow some systems 'way down. Most new 'hotpatches,' as updates are
called, require SP1.

Easiest way to do it: Install WinXP from disk. Go to update site and, if
necessary, install SP1 and nothing else. Revisit the site to install
hotpatches issued since the release of SP1. The site will find those you
need automatically.

Regards,

Walter Hawn


"Mike Hagerty" > wrote in message
...
> Greetings, What is the difference between XP pro SP1 and RTM ? The
> MS update catalog lists XP-SP1 and XP-RTM. I would like to download the
> correct files for a reinstall of XP-PRO, however there is nothing on the
> XP packaging that makes the distinction between the two flavors.
> Thank you in advance for your time and consideration
> Mike H.
>