windows service pack 4.0 - do i really need it?

[Asma Azmat]

i just got my ipod mini and before setting it up on my PC, i upgraded it to windows 2000...now im currently trying to download the service pack 4.0 as the back of the box says 4.0 or more...but its taking AGES because i have a bad internet connection...shud i risk it and try it without the new service pack, or will something go horribly horribly wrong?
anybody running their ipod on windows 2000?pls reply

thanks

Asma

[aje]

If it is taking a long time to simply download the service pack, I think you can order it on CD from microsoft.

As far as trying to run iPod software without SP4, I can't help you. Upgrading to SP4 will be a generally good thing for your computer though, it's always good to keep your OS up to date.

[toothpaste]

how is this related to the ipod?

[AndyH]

toothpaste: According to Apple's specs, the iPod requires Service Pack 4 for Windows 2000 users. Seems like an iPod-related question to me.

[Delije]

Hi guys, i just placed an order for a 4G iPod and should be a proud & happy owner sometime next week.

However, this was an issue i was wondering before. Both my PCs are running Windows 2000 with SP 3. Is it a must that i have to install SP 4 in order to use the iPod or can i do along fine with SP3?

Yeah i know i'm going to have to download SP4 or upgrade my OS someday. However, for the time being, i'm just going to stick with my SP3 (it turns out i need to free some space to upgrade, so that's not an option right now).

Thanks!

[toothpaste]

andyH........sorry man, i just run thru this stuff mindlessly, so when i see questions of people asking about whether they should install a service pack when according to apple's specs (as you pointed out) it says to do so, why are they asking then? It's not really a problem with the hardware or software is it now? appears to be a user that's lost. my bad.

[Delije]

Originally posted by toothpaste
andyH........sorry man, i just run thru this stuff mindlessly, so when i see questions of people asking about whether they should install a service pack when according to apple's specs (as you pointed out) it says to do so, why are they asking then? It's not really a problem with the hardware or software is it now? appears to be a user that's lost. my bad.
Lost is clearly the right word here. Apart from installing SP4, i just wanted to know if it was imperative for the latest SPs to be loaded in order for the iPods to work with the PC.

[Ashex]

usually if you don't have the SP it asks for then when you try to install it'll notice and refuse to continue. usually they say this because there may be java runtime environments, aps.net frameworks and what not that are updated in Service Packs and by using the latest updates, allows whatever programs use them to run cleaner and faster.
but that's just my opinion and from some experience with various windows OS's

[Orguss]

Hey Ashex, you really should take that "free ipod" out of your signature as it is not allowed here and can be cause to get banned. Plus, an admin has already edited it anyway.

[Ashex]

I wish I'd remembered that before the admin did it for me, I was lucky and only got a warning. :)

[pcman1985]

I fail to see why it wouldn't work without Service Pack 4. Itunes says that it needs service pack 4, and when I reinstalled windows 2000. I installed iTunes with no service pack - and it comes with the iPod files with the installation (something like iPod.exe, iPodupdater.exe and iPodService.exe). Well we'll find out in a couple weeks when my iPod arrives. Plus I cant downlaod service pack 4 at the moment cos we are changing internet providers for broadband - and the old provider still hasnt removed the marker off the line. But it should be finally removed tomorrow then We can order the new broadband.
Im actually typing this on my Institute's PC.