Win XP SP2 and FF, Ctool, FFedit

[tommyboy]

Ok, apologies if this has been covered before, but my current understanding is:
Win XP Sp2 requires the 1.3 patch to run FF. No problem so far.
Win XP Sp2 can cause Ctool not to work at all, or to be flakey.
Win XP Sp2 can cause FFedit not to work.

Now, this may display a level of ignorance and naivete sufficient to cause milk to shoot from the nose of an unwary drinker, but....
does anyone know exactly what parts, what files, in SP2 cause all the above problems, and if so, would it be possible to replace said files with their SP1 equivalents so that one ends up with a system that 'looks' like SP2 so new software (like AVG8 free) will install, but FF,ctool,ffedit will still function?

This is my question, and I stand by it.
Then run away...

Or, is it just easier all round to have a multi-boot system, and keep FF in a cosy little sp1 bubble somewhere?
Thats my other question.

[Epimethee]

AFAIK (my knowledge of XP tech is very limited, so take it for what it's worth), what causes SP1-friendly programs to break in SP2 is that the latter doesn't allow anymore some memory operations, since they could potentially cause security risks. As such, I don't think you can simply swap a few files. My guess is that your best bet would be to run a copy of XP SP1 using a virtualization program, such as MS' free Virtual PC (requires XP pro apparently, though).
VPC 2007: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/virtualpc/default.mspx
VPC 2004: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=6D58729D-DFA8-40BF-AFAF-20BCB7F01CD1&displaylang=en

Another free solution is VirtualBox: http://www.virtualbox.org/

[GogglesPizanno]

...run a copy of XP SP1 using a virtualization program, such as MS' free Virtual PC (requires XP pro apparently, though).

Unofficially, it will run on any version of XP. They only offer support for Pro or better.
I have it running on a copy of XP Home and it works just fine fine.

In fact Ive gotten a copy of 3d Studio Max running in the Virtual Machine just to try it out, so it should handle the FF editing fine... probably wont be able to play the game itself...