USEFUL: How to patch your Windows XP CD with the latest updates

XP with sp2 is probably all you need.

If you use Firefox most of the reasons for all the patches are unnecessary.

You can also pretty much bandit the Vista GUI and the SpyderBar is freeware (should you want the streaming RSS feeds, clock, weather and internals, running on the side).

Anyhow, best to get it now while you can locate the SP2.

Stick it to Gates and his DRM, cpu hogging Vista.

You'll switch eventually if you want DX10 and you DO want it.