Well, the only solution that appears to me here is that my next system definately will be a pseudo-mac...
I doubt by the wy that the program that checks the integrity of your os will slow down your system. It's more something like a browser plugin. Never had a problem with that. Always updated XP via internet and never had any problems. Neither with software nor with anything else... It might be a problem if you own a 486DX4/100. and you must have a crutch like this or a pirated version of your os
Just kidding of course...