Windows XP Updates

If you can get the machine on line you can report the systems shut downs in an error report to Microsoft--I know the is true with professional; I'd guess with home, too. For XP updates go to update.microsoft.com. Request automatic scan of your system to find out the updates you need. As said above, SP2 is available by download or phone order. Your questions are best answered by a call to microsoft or your computer vendor--possibly free if your service plans remain in effect. Typically with error reporting and/or updates, support from Microsoft is free...and very helpful.

Yes, there is a place:

http://www.microsoft.com

and choose download options

I wouldn't bet my head on it, and you'd better read what the "blue screen of death" says, but from accumulated experience, it usually mean you've changed something in the PC's Hardware configuration, before this happened. To avoid having to re-install XP from anew, try to re-figure this out, then, alternatively, Keep Pressing F8 until the "black-screen-of-hope" appears then choose "last good known configuration" or something to that effect, that is, if you took care of creating a restore-point (available in "Start/accessories/system-tools"), otherwise (as i usually do once a year anyway, just for keeping a fresh system) - re-install, preferably a version which already contain SP2 (the older version cannot relate correctly to the presence of a drive beyond 132 Gb - Was this the hardware change?...).

Buy a new computer they are so cheap now. You will get Vista and a faster machine.

Just think of it as an investment, if you have lived without your computer for 5 years you have an awful lot to catch up with.