If you have a name-brand computer, check the manufacturer's web site and download any software or driver updates they recommend.

For example, Dell recommends that its users update their BIOS before upgrading to XP SP2.

And while you may think your current antivirus software is doing a good job of scanning your computer for and protecting your computer from viruses, over 60% of broadband users aren't running the latest version of their antivirus program. c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs] So, just to be extra safe, before you even THINK about putting that XP SP2 CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive, let's have Symantec scan your PC for viruses online. [Unfortunately, Symantec's free online virus checker only works in Internet Explorer.] When the page loads, click on the orange Go button. Click on the red Start button under Virus Detection to start the virus scan.

You'll be asked if you want to install and run three small plug-ins. The scan will take a while, but it is well worth the wait.

part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 Once you have the latest version of your antispyware program, check for updates and then scan your computer. If you are running a software firewall like Zone Alarm or Sygate Personal Firewall, you may need to update your software firewall so that it will fully work with Windows XP SP2.

This usually involves downloading a simple patch that you can get from your software firewall’s manufacturer's website.

Again, if you follow steps one through eight, finding a local guru is probably completely unnecessary. After you have successfully installed XP SP2, immediately run Windows Update.

And, if push comes to shove, you can always uninstall XP SP2 and roll back your system to that restore point you created back in step seven.Finally, after you've installed XP SP2 and run Windows Update, point your favorite web browser to This page contains dozens of handouts and videos covering topics such as configuring Internet Explorer's new pop-up blocker, using the new Windows Security Center, and so on.Use the links on this page to get more information about the most recent updates, and then download the updates.After the December 2014 Cumulative Update (CU), all updates will be included in the Public Update (PU). For general guidelines about installing updates for a specific product, see the links in each version row.Plan on spending a little time here getting acquainted with the new security features in XP SP2.What if the XP SP2 installation doesn't go so smoothly on your computer?