Load Windows Explorer (Not Internet Explorer), click on Help>About Windows. If it says "Version 5.1 Service Pack 3" you have the latest version of Win XP.
If your version is earlier than that, you need to update it. Review the information at this Microsoft web page to update the machine:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389
Make sure and keep Automatic Updates turned on and set to a time when the machine is turned on to receive later security updates.
While you can get "Free" Windows updates from other web sites, make sure you download it from a trusted source. If you can get them from Microsoft, that's the best choice.
Answered Sep 07, 2011
Edited Sep 07, 2011