Is WinXP Sp3 update necessary?

[Roy]

In relation to my post here is the windows update prompt that I found
more attractive than getting an Iso copy of WinXPSP3 to install.
I would like to hear your feedbacks regarding this

In the windows update icon with a exclamation mark in it,if I click it
to open :

AUTOMATIC UPDATES

How do youinstall updates
Windows found 1 update. This update requires that you first
accepts license terms.

Express install( recommended)
The easy way to install updates that are applicable to your
computer. This will ensure that your computer is up to date
with the latest software.

Custom install( advanced)
Note: you many need to restart your computer for the updates
to take effect

I selected custom install and the next prompt is like this

Windows XP Service Pack3(KB936929)

Details
Size 66.0-316.4mb
Windows XP Service Pack3(SP3) is an update to Windows XP that
addresses
key feedback from our customers and is cumulative update that
includes
all previously released updates and should not significantly
change
the Window XP experience. After you install this item, you may have
to
restart your computer.
More information can be found at
http://support.microsoft. Com/kb936929

Now having this information which to my assumption is much easier to
install the SP3 than finding and Iso file of the complete SP3 update
then what is the difference
if I follow the easy part of just following the windows update
portion?

 

[Daave]

There may not be any difference at all. And your way could very well be
much quicker. The best-practices method is the most foolproof one. But
if you want to install the update you downloaded, go for it. Just
remember you don't want any pesky programs running that may interfere
with the installation. And make sure the only things connected to your
PC are the mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

It's also a good idea to back up your data (then again, it's *always* a
good idea to do that). Personally, I prefer to make an image of C:.

Your PC is not one of those weird HP ones, is it? I'm referring to the
problem discussed here:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

Keep us posted!

 

[Roy]

There may not be any difference at all. And your way could very well be
much quicker. The best-practices method is the most foolproof one. But
if you want to install the update you downloaded, go for it. Just
remember you don't want any pesky programs running that may interfere
with the installation. And make sure the only things connected to your
PC are the mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

It's also a good idea to back up your data (then again, it's *always* a
good idea to do that). Personally, I prefer to make an image of C:.

Your PC is not one of those weird HP ones, is it? I'm referring to the
problem discussed here:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/07/does-your-a...

Keep us posted!

I am still wary of following the update, I am unsure if many of the
older softwares installed in that PC would still function after the
SP3 is installed. It’s still murky to me if there is an easy way to
uninstall the SP3 once its installed or will the system restore be
able to resolve it and get back to its former glory?
Its rather messy reinstalling the OS if anything goes wrong and I have
no time for it now with my favorite PC which I used for my work most
of the time.
I just want an easy way out that is why I want to learn as much
information about past experience of other people. If the installation
will likely cause problems then better postpone it until I feel
satisfied with my knowledge about the spectrum of ramifications

With all the information provided I have stil to make further
consideration about the niche softwares installed whom I have never
been aware if their drivers were updated. or were they made ready for
SP3?
One of those guys who cautioned me about the Sp3 update was sharing
the same experience that two of his softwares useful for his work
won’t function anymore. And unfortunately the reinstallation of the
softwares with the SP3 did make the software problematic.
What he did was he reformatted his drive and reinstalled everything
was back to the glory of Winxp Sp2.
I have to think about it further, but anyway If I go with the
installation I will let you know how it goes…
Thanks for your generous comments, but still eager to hear more
feedbacks related to this topic.
Roy

 

[Daave]

I am still wary of following the update, I am unsure if many of the
older softwares installed in that PC would still function after the
SP3 is installed. It’s still murky to me if there is an easy way to
uninstall the SP3 once its installed or will the system restore be
able to resolve it and get back to its former glory?
Its rather messy reinstalling the OS if anything goes wrong and I have
no time for it now with my favorite PC which I used for my work most
of the time.
I just want an easy way out that is why I want to learn as much
information about past experience of other people. If the installation
will likely cause problems then better postpone it until I feel
satisfied with my knowledge about the spectrum of ramifications

With all the information provided I have stil to make further
consideration about the niche softwares installed whom I have never
been aware if their drivers were updated. or were they made ready for
SP3?
One of those guys who cautioned me about the Sp3 update was sharing
the same experience that two of his softwares useful for his work
won’t function anymore. And unfortunately the reinstallation of the
softwares with the SP3 did make the software problematic.
What he did was he reformatted his drive and reinstalled everything
was back to the glory of Winxp Sp2.
I have to think about it further, but anyway If I go with the
installation I will let you know how it goes…
Thanks for your generous comments, but still eager to hear more
feedbacks related to this topic.

I understand your trepidation, Roy, but seriously, if someone does the
necessary legwork prior to the upgrade, the odds are over 99% that it
will be successful. Are there certain programs that might not work with
SP3? Perhaps a handful. I wouldn't let that stop you from the upgrade.
Besides, you'll learn immediately if that's the case or not.

If you want to uninstall SP3, it's just a matter of using Control Panel
| Add or Remove Programs (make sure the "Show updates" box is checked).
Windows System Restore is another method. Just make sure there are no
pesky programs like Norton or Zone Alarm that may interfere with it.
Then again, if you image your drive beforehand, that is the best way to
go. Then if you want or need to, all you need to do is restore the image
and everything will be as it was. If you don't have Acronis True Image
(my favorite), you may use a freebie called DriveImageXML:

http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

 

[Bob I]

In db typed on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:12:38 -0500:



Which begs the question, why bother?

Service Pack Support Policy

The Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy requires that the product’s
supported service pack be installed to continue to receive support
(including security updates).

You have 24 months, which translates to 13-Jul-2010.

see
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps

 

[BillW50]

In Bob I typed on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:59:27 -0500:

Service Pack Support Policy

The Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy requires that the product’s
supported service pack be installed to continue to receive support
(including security updates).

You have 24 months, which translates to 13-Jul-2010.

see
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps

I don't have support now. What difference will it make when July 2010
rolls around? I don't have support for MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, 95, 98, nor
2000 either. So what else is new?

Remember DR-DOS selling point? Full lifetime support! And that lasted
until they had your money and then dropped the support. Funny how that
works, eh?

 

[Doug W.]

Go for it if you have an Intel processor. Otherwise check for
solutions for AMD chip problem before starting. It will take
about a half an hour or so but what the hay...no big deal. Have
a moist towel to wipe away the sweat from your brow as your
computer grinds away installing the update. After it updates and
your computer restarts NORMALLY, you can shout a hurrah and
relax.
-
Doug W.
-----------

There may not be any difference at all. And your way could
very well be
much quicker. The best-practices method is the most foolproof
one. But
if you want to install the update you downloaded, go for it.
Just
remember you don't want any pesky programs running that may
interfere
with the installation. And make sure the only things connected
to your
PC are the mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

It's also a good idea to back up your data (then again, it's
*always* a
good idea to do that). Personally, I prefer to make an image
of C:.

Your PC is not one of those weird HP ones, is it? I'm
referring to the
problem discussed here:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/07/does-your-a...

Keep us posted!

I am still wary of following the update, I am unsure if many of
the
older softwares installed in that PC would still function after
the
SP3 is installed. It’s still murky to me if there is an easy
way to
uninstall the SP3 once its installed or will the system restore
be
able to resolve it and get back to its former glory?
Its rather messy reinstalling the OS if anything goes wrong and
I have
no time for it now with my favorite PC which I used for my work
most
of the time.
I just want an easy way out that is why I want to learn as much
information about past experience of other people. If the
installation
will likely cause problems then better postpone it until I feel
satisfied with my knowledge about the spectrum of ramifications

With all the information provided I have stil to make further
consideration about the niche softwares installed whom I have
never
been aware if their drivers were updated. or were they made
ready for
SP3?
One of those guys who cautioned me about the Sp3 update was
sharing
the same experience that two of his softwares useful for his
work
won’t function anymore. And unfortunately the reinstallation of
the
softwares with the SP3 did make the software problematic.
What he did was he reformatted his drive and reinstalled
everything
was back to the glory of Winxp Sp2.
I have to think about it further, but anyway If I go with the
installation I will let you know how it goes…
Thanks for your generous comments, but still eager to hear more
feedbacks related to this topic.
Roy

 

[Daave]

In Bob I typed on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:59:27 -0500:

I don't have support now.

You *do* have support now. Not the kind of support you're talking about,
but the kind of support Bob I is talking about -- regular critical
updates are still coming out.

 

[Roy]

You *do* have support now. Not the kind of support you're talking about,
but the kind of support Bob I is talking about -- regular critical
updates are still coming out.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hello Guys, after must trepidation I installed the WinXP3 update
now,,,,as of now I noticed not much an peculiarity except
1) Drastic decrease of free space in the C drive,( by1.4 gb)
2) Slow boot up time..
The installation took about an hour.... and I have to reboot it and
then thats it.
I am keeping my fingers crossed while I have to see what are the other
changes that it may have done to my PCs performance...
Regards

3)

 

[Daave]

Hello Guys, after must trepidation I installed the WinXP3 update
now,,,,as of now I noticed not much an peculiarity except
1) Drastic decrease of free space in the C drive,( by1.4 gb)
2) Slow boot up time..
The installation took about an hour.... and I have to reboot it and
then thats it.
I am keeping my fingers crossed while I have to see what are the other
changes that it may have done to my PCs performance...

SP3 should not increase bootup time. Do you mean the first bootup was
slow but subsequent botups are fine? Or do they continue to be slow?
What method did you use to install it?

 

[Roy]

SP3 should not increase bootup time. Do you mean the first bootup was
slow but subsequent botups are fine? Or do they continue to be slow?
What method did you use to install it?

Thanks for your reply Dave..
First I tried the windows update, but it failed due to error
notes...so what I did I downloaded the complete file ( about 316 megs
IIRC) and backed up my files dually using the Acronis tru image, as
well as by using the System tools in a separate hard disk. Then re
read all the given salient steps from this thread , shut down
temporarily the Kaspersky Internet Security and Installed the Sp3.
Well it took me almost an hour as if my PC freezes( which gave me some
goosebumps earlier<grin>). Then when the installation is complete I
restarted the PC which normallytook quite a time to boot up ( about 5
minutes?) Then to check the boot up time, I restarted it and it still
took me about 3 minutes....
Before the SP3 installation, the boot up time was just slightly above
a minute.
I did some post clean up but just careful not to touch yet the
restore points and windows back up folder .
I did compress the C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles. but reluctant to
clean the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download, and the old hot
fix storage,worrying that if this Sp3 will give problems this might
come handy? Or is still so?
I have noticed that there are 7 restore points but is worried also
that If I remove the 6 and retain the last one, it might be difficult
to get back to do the system restore if the upgrade plan turns awry in
later time?
Any more ideas and suggestion to further remove all the excess files
during the installation?
TIA
Roy

 

[Daave]

Thanks for your reply Dave..
First I tried the windows update, but it failed due to error
notes...so what I did I downloaded the complete file ( about 316 megs
IIRC) and backed up my files dually using the Acronis tru image, as
well as by using the System tools in a separate hard disk. Then re
read all the given salient steps from this thread , shut down
temporarily the Kaspersky Internet Security and Installed the Sp3.
Well it took me almost an hour as if my PC freezes( which gave me some
goosebumps earlier<grin>). Then when the installation is complete I
restarted the PC which normallytook quite a time to boot up ( about 5
minutes?) Then to check the boot up time, I restarted it and it still
took me about 3 minutes....
Before the SP3 installation, the boot up time was just slightly above
a minute.

I wonder what's happening...

Keep in mind that since you imaged your hard drive, you can certainly
restore your most recent image. If it were me, I'd be tempted to do that
and then reinstall SP3, but only after configuring a Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

I'm guessing there was *still* something running in the background when
you installed SP3. If you have time to experiment, it may be worthwhile
to try it again, using the Best Practices method outlined by Shenan in
an earlier post.

I did some post clean up but just careful not to touch yet the
restore points and windows back up folder .
I did compress the C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles. but reluctant to
clean the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download, and the old hot
fix storage,worrying that if this Sp3 will give problems this might
come handy? Or is still so?
I have noticed that there are 7 restore points but is worried also
that If I remove the 6 and retain the last one, it might be difficult
to get back to do the system restore if the upgrade plan turns awry in
later time?
Any more ideas and suggestion to further remove all the excess files
during the installation?

Bookmark this page:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

But I wouldn't do that right away!

What are the dates of your Restore Points? What date did you apply SP3?

Once you are satisified with your SP3 installation and you tidy up
(removing the tons of files outlined in the link above as well as
deleting old restore points and temp files and even your hiberfil.sys
file if you don't use hibernation -- and you still might have the
Automatic Updates SP3 installation file in that downloads folder!... you
can delete that, too), a defrag would be a great idea.

Last question: what mode do you run Automatic Updates in? For most
people, I recommend "Notify me but don't automatically download or
install them." Actually, I turned mine off and I visit Windows Update
twice a month!

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

See http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

Ideally, you would have seen
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm before you installed
SP3.

 

[Roy]

I wonder what's happening...

Keep in mind that since you imaged your hard drive, you can certainly
restore your most recent image. If it were me, I'd be tempted to do that
and then reinstall SP3, but only after configuring a Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

I'm guessing there was *still* something running in the background when
you installed SP3. If you have time to experiment, it may be worthwhile
to try it again, using the Best Practices method outlined by Shenan in
an earlier post.


Bookmark this page:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

But I wouldn't do that right away!

What are the dates of your Restore Points? What date did you apply SP3?

Once you are satisified with your SP3 installation and you tidy up
(removing the tons of files outlined in the link above as well as
deleting old restore points and temp files and even your hiberfil.sys
file if you don't use hibernation -- and you still might have the
Automatic Updates SP3 installation file in that downloads folder!... you
can delete that, too), a defrag would be a great idea.

Last question: what mode do you run Automatic Updates in? For most
people, I recommend "Notify me but don't automatically download or
install them." Actually, I turned mine off and I visit Windows Update
twice a month!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Now the boot up time took me about 3.5 minutes....
I did the same thing about that Automatic Updates notification.
Regarding restore points the tune up utilities 2009 told me that there
are 7 restore points but when I look at the system restore there are
only threee.
I installed SP3 just yesterday( April 17)..

BTW I remember that the command prompt box opened during the first
reboot after the installation and seems to emply errors? as I was
unable to do a print screen of it as it just appeared and vanished
quickly....
Hmm maybe its time to roll it back...?
BTW before I did this Sp3 installation on my current PC I did some
practice using other Pcs but that using the windows update
installation of the Windows Update and the update ran smoothly and the
boot up time never changed.....

 

[Roy]

Seehttp://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

Ideally, you would have seenhttp://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htmbefore you installed
SP3.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

Roy wrote:

<snip>




- Show quoted text -

Thanks for that ,,,but there is a notification that it needs a license
that must be purchased?

 

[Roy]

I wonder what's happening...

Keep in mind that since you imaged your hard drive, you can certainly
restore your most recent image. If it were me, I'd be tempted to do that
and then reinstall SP3, but only after configuring a Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

I'm guessing there was *still* something running in the background when
you installed SP3. If you have time to experiment, it may be worthwhile
to try it again, using the Best Practices method outlined by Shenan in
an earlier post.


Bookmark this page:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

But I wouldn't do that right away!

What are the dates of your Restore Points? What date did you apply SP3?

Once you are satisified with your SP3 installation and you tidy up
(removing the tons of files outlined in the link above as well as
deleting old restore points and temp files and even your hiberfil.sys
file if you don't use hibernation -- and you still might have the
Automatic Updates SP3 installation file in that downloads folder!... you
can delete that, too), a defrag would be a great idea.

Last question: what mode do you run Automatic Updates in? For most
people, I recommend "Notify me but don't automatically download or
install them." Actually, I turned mine off and I visit Windows Update
twice a month!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well I am unsatisfied with the installation as the boot up time
gradually increased , so there must be something wrong with the sp3
installation, So I went to control panel and Uninstal the sp3, but it
said that is erroneously uninstalled? how was that??? Anyway I went
with the uninstallation, but it seems that the removal from that Add
remove list did not sort the problem as when I checked the system
information there was still Sp3. So what I did was to do the system
restore , few days before I installed the Sp3. But there was one
pecularity after that restore, some softwares just malfunction, like
for example the kaspersky internet security which says that the file
was corrupted.
Anyway I was able to repair it by updating the files twice.
Now , I would like to replace the back up files to what I believe was
an already corrupted system files due to theinstallation and
uninstallation of Sp3 but would want to do it carefully and safely, is
there any simpler way to do it as even if I follow the wizard
Hope somebody could give me some advice on this area.

TIA

 

[Daave]

Well I am unsatisfied with the installation as the boot up time
gradually increased , so there must be something wrong with the sp3
installation, So I went to control panel and Uninstal the sp3, but it
said that is erroneously uninstalled? how was that???

Control Panel said this?! I don't follow. Perhaps Add or Remove
Programs? What and where is the *exact* message? This is why I always
recommend configuring a clean boot first!

Anyway I went
with the uninstallation, but it seems that the removal from that Add
remove list did not sort the problem as when I checked the system
information there was still Sp3.

Something (perhaps Kaspersky) must be interfering. Again, a Clean Boot
would eliminate this possibility.

So what I did was to do the system
restore , few days before I installed the Sp3. But there was one
pecularity after that restore, some softwares just malfunction, like
for example the kaspersky internet security which says that the file
was corrupted.

Which file was corrupted? Also, Kaspersky can interfere with System
Restore as well:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

Anyway I was able to repair it by updating the files twice.

Repair what? Which files did you update and how did you update them?

Now , I would like to replace the back up files to what I believe was
an already corrupted system files due to theinstallation and
uninstallation of Sp3 but would want to do it carefully and safely, is
there any simpler way to do it as even if I follow the wizard

I'm a little confused. Which backup files? In an earlier post, you
stated that you:

backed up my files dually using the Acronis tru image, as
well as by using the System tools in a separate hard disk.

I'm not sure what you mean by the phrase "using the System tools in a
separate hard disk." And did you not make an image? Backing up files,
although better than doing nothing, is not good enough! You needed to
image your hard drive! Then all you would need to do is restore the
image. Did you not make an image?

If you didn't make an image, configure a Clean Boot environment:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

and uninstall SP3 and or run Windows System Restore to the point in time
before the SP3 upgrade.

And make an *image*!

 

[Daave]

Thanks for that ,,,but there is a notification that it needs a license
that must be purchased?

The clickable "Download" link is for the free version. As the page
states, "The licensed version allows for *selective deletion* [emphasis
mine] of Hotfix files and Registry entries." The clickable "Here" link
is for that.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

So? Use the free version, purchase the licensed version, or leave the files
in-place.

Thanks for that ,,,but there is a notification that it needs a license
that must be purchased?

The clickable "Download" link is for the free version. As the page
states, "The licensed version allows for *selective deletion* [emphasis
mine] of Hotfix files and Registry entries." The clickable "Here" link
is for that.

 

[Daave]

Did you mean to reply to Roy?

I was merely pointing out to him that there is no need to purchase the
license.

So? Use the free version, purchase the licensed version, or leave
the files in-place.

On Apr 18, 3:37 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <[email protected]> wrote:

Seehttp://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

Ideally, you would have
seen http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm
before you installed SP3.

Thanks for that ,,,but there is a notification that it needs a
license that must be purchased?

The clickable "Download" link is for the free version. As the page
states, "The licensed version allows for *selective deletion*
[emphasis mine] of Hotfix files and Registry entries." The clickable
"Here" link is for that.