How good is SP3?

[Ben Stevenson]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

TIA

 

[Bruce Hagen]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

TIA

I would say do it, but follow these precautions.

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com:80/kb/950717

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm

Download Windows XP Service Pack 3 here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gpr

 

[M.I.5¾]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I take it that these "many cases" are the dozen or so problems that have
appeared on this newsgroup (and probably others). The millions of people
who have installed SP3 haven't bothered to tell us of their success.

 

[Mick Murphy]

It is not better; it is not worse.
XP with SP3, still runs great.
It is only an acculumation of all the updates you have already downloaded;
if you update monthly.

 

[Peter Foldes]

SP3 for XP or for Office

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

It is not better; it is not worse.

XP with SP3, still runs great.
It is only an acculumation of all the updates you have already downloaded;
if you update monthly.

This statement is completely false. SP3 contain OVER 1000+ updates
which included out of band updates and hotfixes NEVER pushed to
Windows Update. Windows Update had a few hundred updates between SP2
and SP3 that were pushed out to users.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am

afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

The common misconception is that SP3 is just the updates from Windows
Update over the years since SP2 was released. It is that plus hundreds
of other updates not released publicly or available only via tech
support or via a hotfix. There is a little bit of performance to be
gained from SP3 but there are some precautions as was posted by
someone earlier. Some new features have been introduced, both
documented (NAP borrow from Vista, WiFi brought up to the most current
standard as of Fall 2007) and undocumented (RDP 6.1) features. It is
worth updating to it. Be wary if you have an AMD based system as you'd
need to run a patch to make sure you don't get stuck with a
non-booting system as a result. The usual caveats apply, backup what
you want to keep. I would recommend downloading the full service pack
3 file instead of doing things via Windows Update.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[smlunatick]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

TIA

SP 3 is good, as with any Microsoft product.

It is just that there is a specific "method" to recommend (at least by
me) is to deactivate all anti-virus software prior to its install.
These can block the update of several "core" files.

 

[Jim]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

TIA

And most of the problems are those of the cockpit. At least one major faux
pas was caused by an OEM.
Jim

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

With *any* software or any updates at all, you can always find some
people who will report problems and complain about it. That doesn't
mean you shouldn't install it.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

I have had no problems with it here, on several machines. In the great
majority of cases, those people who report problems have done
something wrong themselves.

Read the following and follow its advice before you install it, and a
problem is very unlikely:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Also:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3): Installation Guide
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33296

Windows XP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful
installation
-http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

Internet Explorer and WinXP SP3
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=33210

XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

XP SP3: IMPORTANT SUPPORT INFORMATION
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33244


If you run into problems during or after the installation, these may
help:

XP SP3: "Fixed" Reboot Loop / Safe Mode Only after Install
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33241

XP SP3 Installation Failure Troubleshooter
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33295

XP SP3: Registry Corruption & Norton SymProtect
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33522

XP SP3: Hotfix - Device Manager and Network Connections
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=34129

XP SP3: FIX -- Svchost.exe Uses 100% CPU Resources
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33303

XP SP3: Problems? How To Uninstall Service Pack 3
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33246

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

SP3 for XP or for Office

Although granting the possibility that he means Office rather than
Windows XP, it's a very reasonable assumption (and one that I always
make) that since he asked in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, he's
asking about Windows XP.

 

[Sunny]

This statement is completely false. SP3 contain OVER 1000+ updates
which included out of band updates and hotfixes NEVER pushed to
Windows Update. Windows Update had a few hundred updates between SP2
and SP3 that were pushed out to users.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

I have not installed SP3, however "hot fixes" listed in my PC include over
100 labelled as SP3.
(From Belarc Advisor scan))

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

I have not installed SP3, however "hot fixes" listed in my PC include over

100 labelled as SP3.
(From Belarc Advisor scan))

Perhaps it's a misnomer on Belarcs part. Hotfixes are normally
something a person requests from MS, not what you'd get via Windows
Update.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Perhaps it's a misnomer on Belarcs part. Hotfixes are normally
something a person requests from MS, not what you'd get via Windows
Update.

Not true. Many of the updates you get via Windows Update are called
hotfixes, and they are installed routinely; no request to Microsoft is
required to get them.

 

[Sunny]

Perhaps it's a misnomer on Belarcs part. Hotfixes are normally
something a person requests from MS, not what you'd get via Windows
Update.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Not correct.

 

[Ben Stevenson]

It just came in as SP3 for install which I have not done so far. I would not
know if it is for Office or XP. It came thru the normal automatic update
route.

 

[Ben Stevenson]

I use Avast anti-virus. On right click I do not see any means to deactivate
it. Would anyone know?

My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am
afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the
computer in many cases.

I would appreciate some expert advise.

TIA

SP 3 is good, as with any Microsoft product.

It is just that there is a specific "method" to recommend (at least by
me) is to deactivate all anti-virus software prior to its install.
These can block the update of several "core" files.

 

[Ben Stevenson]

Oh my god! So much to read up and do? Would I be disadvantaged if I don't
install it? How do I get the install icon out of my Systems Tray. It keeps
reminding me everyday to install.

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

Not true. Many of the updates you get via Windows Update are called

hotfixes, and they are installed routinely; no request to Microsoft is
required to get them.

Traditionally, and per Microsoft's own Technet statement, a hotfix is
something you usually obtain from Microsoft, not Windows Update.
http://blogs.technet.com/hot/archive/2007/12/27/something-about-hotfix.aspx

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

Not correct.

Traditionally, and per Microsoft's own Technet statement, a hotfix is
something you usually obtain from Microsoft, not Windows Update.
http://blogs.technet.com/hot/archive/2007/12/27/something-about-hotfix.aspx

- Thee Chicago Wolf