Windows XP question

You can indeed keep the SP2 upgrade as a separate program and install it as you like. But: You cannot install WinXP on as many computers as you like without running into Windows activation problems. If you have not properly activated WinXP the Microsoft update site will no longer let you download the latest updates. You have to install an active X control, source of most of Windows security problems, so that Microsoft will allow you to continue to try to repair the insecure operating system they sold you. This is the Microsoft version of Catch 22. There are ways to finesse, get around and legitimately get new activation codes for old, mulitply used copies of WinXP that are familiar to people who frequently upgrade their computers. For example, I have several computers that have gone through multiple motherboard upgrades and every time WinXP is reinstalled the automatic activation fails and I have to call the Microsoft activation center (it is in India: Microsoft is just as patriotic as every other multi-national, nominally American company). Eventually Microsoft will be less cooperative about giving out new activitation codes although they are required to if that copy of the operating system is only installed on one computer at a time.