Formatting my PC, again

It's the time of year that my beloved PC tells me : Format me or I will continue piss in' you off. So I need some advice. My PC is quite uhm, what's the word, oh yeah, old. I have a Original Windows XP Home Edition SP1 2002. Everytime I format my computer, I need to re-install the updates. Now my PC has XP SP2. Is there's a form of downloading it for free, and saving it on a CD and format my PC that way (legally of course)? I know there's XP service pack 3. What disadvantages does it has over SP2 (I know that it has better security, stability, etc) disadvantages. Thanks -OH and just two more things, how can I make a clean installation, and some maitainace advice after the formatting process is completed.

#513837

If you reinstall after formatting, you can just download SP3 and everything will be up to date for you.

#513842

Hey I have to do that as well and...oh wait, I run all Macs.

#513919

service pack 3 runs pretty nice on my comp and its old too

#513926

Hey I have to do that as well and...oh wait, I run all Macs.

Lucky you.

#513939