XP Service Pack 3 Released

[RobbL]

Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate Now Available To Public!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4c-8423-4386-ad98-36b124a720aa&DisplayLang=en

Is it for real this time?

 

[Tim Clark]

Please,

You shoud have stressed in your Subject line:
"XP Service Pack 3 RC Released"
or better still
"XP Service Pack 3 RC Available"

It should not be used by the average user.
"This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft
does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical
systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to
installing any pre-release software."

There could be a Release Candidate 2, or 3 before XPSP3 is "Released"

and Yes, it's for Real

Respectfully,
Tim

 

[Randy Knobloch]

Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate Now Available To Public!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4c-8423-4386-ad98-36b124a720aa&DisplayLang=en

Is it for real this time?

I checked the URL you posted, Rob - it is real.
**All** be advised that this is a /release candidate/ not a final release.
Go forward at your own risk, though, I'm not discouraging it.
Have your back-up software at-the-ready (prior to) using this RC.

Randy

 

[RobbL]

You are so right, the TITLE of the linkpage does clearly say: "Windows XP
Service Pack 3 Release Candidate" --

So sorry.

 

[Tim Clark]

So sorry.

No Problem ;-)
and Thank You for bringing this to our attention,
It will give us time to practice holding our breath as we await the "Mother
of All Downloads"...

Download Size: 336.1 MB
Estimated Download Time: Dial-up (56k) 13Hr 14min !!!

Yikes :-(

And I don't even want to think about the SRP ;-P

Tim

 

[Pat Willener]

Although it has been pointed out that this is not the final release, SP3
nevertheless will be coming in the near future. For those who do not
want to install it immediately when released, please check out the

Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d7c9a07a-5267-4bd6-87d0-e2a72099edb7

 

[Littlem129]

When the official release of XP Service Pack 3 is released will it be
available on CD like SP2 was?

I'm one of those on dial-up and I don't want to download 336.1 MB.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone!

 

[Stu]

Oh dear ! Good question though. One I have been wondering myself - not that
I`m on DU now. If they don`t , better take a day off work to downloadload and
install it. I recall being on DU when SP2 was released. What with `kick offs`
and family committments, it took me 6 hours and a lot of expletives - then
came the freebie CD - what a bummer! Turned out it was almost quicker to
order it from MS on the internet and have it dispatched to UK. I was very
impressed with how quickly it arrived - just a few days.

Stu

 

[Dave M]

It's a good possibility that it will be available on CD, though as this
service update should be cumulative, the actual download size may be less
than the full update size. All those updates that we've faithfully
installed for SP/2 over the past several years should help reduce that
download from whatever mega number the final release totals if it comes via
WU/MU.

 

[Stu]

<smile> I love your optimism Dave. Great stuff !! <smile>

Have a Great Chrissi & AHNY !!

Stu

 

[Littlem129]

Thanks for the replies Dave & Stu and the info.