How can I downgrade BACK to ser pac 2?

Hello All.
My old computer ran windows xp prof ser pac2. I recently upgraded to ser pac3 because I wanted to get a printer that would service both the old and the newer computers. That printer requires ser pac3.
Well, now my old computer is often sluggish and hangs a lot. I do alot on the old computer and don't want a new printer for it if I have to compromise performance. I want to go back to ser pac 2. How do I uninstall ser pac3? When I uninstall 3 won't ser pac 2 be left on my computer?
Thanks,
alterintel

 

Open Add or Remove Programs. At the top of the window check the box next to Show updates. If Service Pack 3 is listed, uninstall it from there. If it's not listed you can repair Windows XP which will remove SP3 and all updates. But your files and programs will be intact.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

Scroll inside the page.

 

Eldon,
But will I still have service pac 2, which is what was on there before I went to serpac3?
alterintel

 

If SP2 was installed with Windows XP, you have to do a repair with the Windows XP SP2 CD. That'll remove SP3 and all updates.
If SP2 was installed after installing Windows XP, and you remove SP3, I have no idea what will happen because SP3 includes SP2.

I have finally been able to access the correct page on Microsoft's website. Here's detailed info on how to remove SP3. Follow the instructions word for word.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/950249

FYI I strongly advice against removing SP3. Something else is causing your PC to be sluggish - it's not SP3. I have both Windows XP Professional SP3 and Windows 7 Ultimate on a partioned hard disc with just a 1.8 GHz Celeron CPU, 3 GB RAM @ 667 MHz, and a 10 year old 80 GB IDE HDD.

 

See if you can increase the amount of RAM in your old 'puter. I've found that if my available RAM drops below 50%, things slow down considerably. You're vulnerable enough running XP as it is. Rolling back to SP2 would make you even more so.

 

Eldon,
So why shouldn't I uninstall serpk3? I don't have a serpac2 video; couldn't I just download another serpac2 if it doesn't reappear after uninstalling 3? What is the danger if I just go ahead and uninstall 3?
What could be another reason for sluggishness? I did think the computer ran better before reinstalling 'flash', which I now have on 'ask to activate'. My computer is almost a collectible and I need to take care that things I put on it don't stress it. Companies suggest all this stuff for it without taking into account its limitations, as I have learned the hard way.
What will happen that is bad if I simply uninstall Serpac3?

Thanks,
alterintel

 

Mdonah, I am not down to 50%.
I try hard daily to be careful. Serviceguy came out some days ago and declared it clean. I run various scans, defrags, and cleanings daily. I have good MG recommended programs on it. My downloads are from MG whenever possible.
alterintel

 

Eldon,
I bought the computer second hand years ago. I don't know if xp prof ser pac2 was original with it or not. EEk.

alterintel

 

No offense meant, but you didn't read my last post.
*See post #4. Yes you can download SP2. See post #4.

*You need to tell us more about your PC. Download Speccy, take a snapshot of the Summary info and post it.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/speccy.html

Also run Disk Defragmenter in Windows XP, take a snapshot and post it. And no, your computer is not almost a collectible, sorry.

 

Hi Eldon.
No offense taken. I have reread your post. My take away from it is that you don't think serpac3 is the cause of the sluggishness. It also hangs a lot. So no one knows what will happen if I remove serpac 3. I get it, at least I think I do.
Since I now have serpac3 do I need to get new drivers? Would that improve speed?
alterintel

 

Plodr,
Why does running a defrag and cleaning cause the hard drive to die sooner? Remember, I am pretty computer illiterate so please try to forgive me if this is a dumb question.

alterintel

 

Now we're talking. I installed SP3 for Windows XP Home Edition. It had no negative effect on performance. At the time, I had just 384 MB DDR RAM and a 2.4 GHz Celeron D CPU.
And no, you don't need new drivers. SP3 includes many updated drivers for many devices. And new drivers will not improve the speed of the PC.

You need to share with us the specs of your PC. Then I might be able to pinpoint the reason for the sluggishness. That it happened after installing SP3 is just a coincidence.

Also, do you have the Windows XP installation disc?