no clear answer on SP3 install requirements

[John smith]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for the
supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to be. Well
after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just *HAD* to get back to
XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no SP updates).

Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

This question has never resolved itself for me. For example:

1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

tells me "Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes *all* previously released
updates for the operating system", making no mention of any prerequisite
SP1/2 install requirements.

2.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

tells me that "To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either Windows XP
Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) must already be
installed"

Thank you Microsoft for this conflicting information.

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Any help most appreciated.

JS

 

[M]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for the
supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to be. Well
after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just *HAD* to get back to
XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no SP updates).

Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

This question has never resolved itself for me. For example:

1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

tells me "Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes *all* previously released
updates for the operating system", making no mention of any prerequisite
SP1/2 install requirements.

2.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

tells me that "To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either Windows XP
Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) must already be
installed"

Thank you Microsoft for this conflicting information.

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Any help most appreciated.

JS

Yes.

M

 

[John John - MVP]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for the
supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to be. Well
after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just *HAD* to get back to
XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no SP updates).

Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

Yes, you need at least SP1 (SP1a) installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx

John

 

[JS]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for the
supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to be. Well
after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just *HAD* to get back to
XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no SP updates).

Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

This question has never resolved itself for me. For example:

1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

tells me "Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes *all* previously
released updates for the operating system", making no mention of any
prerequisite SP1/2 install requirements.

2.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

tells me that "To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either Windows
XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) must already
be installed"

Thank you Microsoft for this conflicting information.

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Any help most appreciated.

JS

I have slipstreamed a XP "Gold" (contains no service packs)
successfully with XP SP3, you might give it a try.

Create a "Slipstreamed" version of XP that incorporates SP3
AutoStreamer, it's easy to use and for the most part self explanatory.
After you create the CD then do a "Clean Install", see the last part
of my reply.

Auto Streamer Guide and Download Sites:
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.shtml
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1

Where to download SP3
(This file will be used in created the slipstreamed CD)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP using SP3
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm (Using AutoStreamer)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

The slipstreamed CD you create will not include any specific drivers
for your motherboard, audio, video, network, etc. Those you will
need to download from your PC manufacture's or motherboard's
web site.

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP
Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

How to optimize your chances of installing Windows XP SP3 successfully:
http://www.pagestart.com/windowsxpsp3p3pg8.html

 

[John smith]

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Yes.

M

cheers.

 

[John smith]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for the

Yes, you need at least SP1 (SP1a) installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx

John

Thank you

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for the
supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to be. Well
after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just *HAD* to get back to
XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no SP updates).

Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

Yes. Microsoft says SP1a, but that's because the legal situation with
Sun forced them to replace SP1 with SP1a. Either one is OK.

 

[John smith]

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

I have slipstreamed a XP "Gold" (contains no service packs)
successfully with XP SP3, you might give it a try.

Create a "Slipstreamed" version of XP that incorporates SP3
AutoStreamer, it's easy to use and for the most part self explanatory.
After you create the CD then do a "Clean Install", see the last part
of my reply.

Hi, thanks for that. I've never performed a slipsteream before. One question
though. Most of those guides slipstream XP Gold with SP2, or XP SP2 with
SP3. Can you perform a slipstream of XP Gold with SP3 directly? I think this
is the recurring issue of "you need sp1/2 installed, before you can install
sp3". So, seeing that I have XP Gold as my install CD; do i need to
slipstream XP Gold with SP2, prior to slipstreaming with SP3?

Many thanks!

JS

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for
the supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to
be. Well after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just
*HAD* to get back to XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no
SP updates).
Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

This question has never resolved itself for me. For example:

1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

tells me "Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes *all* previously
released updates for the operating system", making no mention of
any prerequisite SP1/2 install requirements.

2.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

tells me that "To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either
Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2
(SP2) must already be installed"

Thank you Microsoft for this conflicting information.

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Any help most appreciated.

Overthinking.

You can integrate Service Pack 3 for Windows XP directly into any service
pack level (RTM, SP1, SP1a, SP2) Windows XP (32-bit) media.

You must have at least SP1 installed on a working Windows XP install before
you can install SP3 onto that same system.

 

[Daave]

Hi, thanks for that. I've never performed a slipsteream before. One
question though. Most of those guides slipstream XP Gold with SP2, or
XP SP2 with SP3. Can you perform a slipstream of XP Gold with SP3
directly? I think this is the recurring issue of "you need sp1/2
installed, before you can install sp3". So, seeing that I have XP
Gold as my install CD; do i need to slipstream XP Gold with SP2,
prior to slipstreaming with SP3?

According to the page below, the slipstream may be done directly from
XP Gold (no service pack) to SP3, however one has "to enter the product
key during the installation procedure rather than have the option to
defer entering it until after installation is complete."

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm

 

[D. Kirkpatrick]

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Other answers will help but in my case I reinstalled XP Home from the
CD in August and took the position to allow MS/Windows Updates make
the decisions for me but also intervened to assure that SP1, 2, and 3
were taken in order.

I had to revisit updates several times to get everything up to date
but at least it was in order.

I've had no problems since.

 

[John smith]

According to the page below, the slipstream may be done directly from

XP Gold (no service pack) to SP3, however one has "to enter the product
key during the installation procedure rather than have the option to
defer entering it until after installation is complete."

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm

Ok sounds good. Thanks for that clarification!

 

[Daave]

Ok sounds good. Thanks for that clarification!

YW and good luck.

 

[John smith]

Overthinking.

You can integrate Service Pack 3 for Windows XP directly into any service
pack level (RTM, SP1, SP1a, SP2) Windows XP (32-bit) media.

You must have at least SP1 installed on a working Windows XP install
before you can install SP3 onto that same system.

That makes it very clear. So:

1) upgrading a physical machine to sp3 requires sp1/2 pre-installed
2) upgrading an XP 'gold' media cd to sp3 does not require sp1/2
pre-slipstreamed

Beautiful!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hi. So I took the bold step of wiping my XP install and going for
the supposed gold that most people claim Windows 7 (build 7600) to
be. Well after a full week of this self-forced exposure I just
*HAD* to get back to XP. So here I am, having installed XP Pro (no
SP updates).
Now onto my question: does SP3 require atleast SP1 installed?

This question has never resolved itself for me. For example:

1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

tells me "Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes *all* previously
released updates for the operating system", making no mention of
any prerequisite SP1/2 install requirements.

2.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

tells me that "To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either
Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2
(SP2) must already be installed"

Thank you Microsoft for this conflicting information.

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Any help most appreciated.

Overthinking.

You can integrate Service Pack 3 for Windows XP directly into any service
pack level (RTM, SP1, SP1a, SP2) Windows XP (32-bit) media.

You must have at least SP1 installed on a working Windows XP install
before you can install SP3 onto that same system.

That makes it very clear. So:

1) upgrading a physical machine to sp3 requires sp1/2 pre-installed
2) upgrading an XP 'gold' media cd to sp3 does not require sp1/2
pre-slipstreamed

Beautiful!

No Problem. Glad to help.

 

[John smith]

So what's the deal? Does it need atleast SP1 installed, or not?

Other answers will help but in my case I reinstalled XP Home from the
CD in August and took the position to allow MS/Windows Updates make
the decisions for me but also intervened to assure that SP1, 2, and 3
were taken in order.

I had to revisit updates several times to get everything up to date
but at least it was in order.

I've had no problems since.

Being cautious, your approach was similar to the one I most often progressed
along, but it just became too much of an effort. Now - I guess I just want
to do what's necessary and not overkill the process

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Other answers will help but in my case I reinstalled XP Home from the
CD in August and took the position to allow MS/Windows Updates make
the decisions for me but also intervened to assure that SP1, 2, and 3
were taken in order.

Then you did more than necessary (SP2 wasn't needed), but you didn't
do anything that would hurt you.

 

[JS]

I've tried it both by using Gold+ sliptreaming SP2 and then sliptreaming SP3
or Gold + slipstreaming SP3. Both methods worked fine.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c