Windows

This article describes the differences between Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Service Pack 1a (SP1a). Windows XP updates are distributed in service packs. You can use service packs to help keep Windows XP current and to extend and update the functionality of your computer. On September 9, 2002, Microsoft released Windows XP SP1. On February 3, 2003, Microsoft released SP1 again as SP1a.
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If you are not running Windows XP SP1, install SP1a to make sure that you have the latest security and reliability updates for Windows XP. Install any appropriate security updates and hotfixes that are already released or that will be released after SP1 on Windows XP-based computers that are running SP1a. Windows Update will continue to offer the same set of updates for Windows XP-based computers that are running either SP1 or SP1a.

To determine if you are running Windows XP SP1, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. If "Service Pack 1" appears under System, you are already running Windows XP SP1. There is no benefit to installing SP1a if you are already running Windows XP SP1. Microsoft does not recommend that you install SP1a if you are already running SP1.

Windows XP SP1a is the same as Windows XP SP1 except that the Microsoft virtual machine (VM) is removed in SP1a.
Technical Changes
Windows XP SP1a does not include or install the Microsoft VM, which provides support for running Java programs.

To determine e Microsoft VM, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type cmd, and then click OK.
At the command prompt, type jview and then press ENTER.

If you are not running the Microsoft VM, you receive the following error message:

'jview' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Unless you have it downloaded, I don't believe that you can get Windows XP SP1 from Microsoft.
They will only give you version 1a.

While you can still download Microsoft Virtual Machine via Windows update, I recommend that if you want / need JAVA support that you use JAVA 1.4SE from Sun
www.java.sun.com

I would go ahead and update an XP system to IE6 SP1. I have seen no problems.

Since I do not use Office XP, I can't provide a specific recommendation.
If I was using Office XP, I likely would install the service packs.

Also, for your XP system, install DirectX 9 and the security patch.
Plus, Microsoft just released a number of security patches for all versions of Office today (9/3/2003)

Chas

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