Pre-release XP SP3

[titus12]

Has anyone installed the XP SP3 pre-release? If so, how is it working?

Thanks;
David

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Has anyone installed the XP SP3 pre-release? If so, how is it working?

Thanks;
David

Some people have and several have reported problems. You
should not install a pre-release version of a service pack unless
you're a member of a test group and have suitable facilities.

 

[John McGaw]

Some people have and several have reported problems. You
should not install a pre-release version of a service pack unless
you're a member of a test group and have suitable facilities.

So, is that the reason that MS made the pre-release-just-out-of-beta RC
patch available to anyone who wants to take the time to download it?

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

Has anyone installed the XP SP3 pre-release? If so, how is it working?

On the record, this is supposed to be discussed in the MSDN Technet
forums as this is not the place to discuss "He whose Service Pack
Shall Not Be Named." You can discuss you question here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17

Off the record, seems the current RC is getting to be of release
quality. It seemed to install on a test machine just fine. Hopefully
the speculated target of February will be when it is final.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Gordon]

So, is that the reason that MS made the pre-release-just-out-of-beta RC
patch available to anyone who wants to take the time to download it?

On Technet and MSDN I believe. That's hardly "available to anyone who wants
to take the time to download it".
You would have to know about either Technet or MDSN......which would imply
at least some computer savvy.....

 

[PA Bear]

<QP>
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.
</QP>
Source:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=75ed934c-8423-4386-ad98-36b124a720aa

WinXP SP3 RC builds are not supported in this newsgroup.

Limited support is available here only:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17
(Registration required)

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

So, is that the reason that MS made the pre-release-just-out-of-beta RC

On Technet and MSDN I believe. That's hardly "available to anyone who wants
to take the time to download it".
You would have to know about either Technet or MDSN......which would imply
at least some computer savvy.....

False false false. Microsoft public advertised it via the Download
Center on the 18th.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4c-8423-4386-ad98-36b124a720aa&DisplayLang=en

Previously (read: prior to the MSDN / Technet only release), it was
not on Download Center. There is no computer savvy required. The only
savvy required is visiting the download center. Any person who visits
the download center would have seen it and had the opportunity to
download it. Publicly.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Pegasus statement is true.
The fact Microsoft makes something publically available does not
conflict with that.
If it was not made available, there would be much complaining that it
was not more widely available so others who felt the need could
perform their own testing.

Microsoft has made the Beta available to anyone and everyone who wants
it.
Any takers should be willing to accept the additional risk associated
with a Beta.
Someone should not install a Beta unless they are prepared for total
data loss and the need to perform a Clean Installation of Windows to
resolve any problems.
While that is rare, it is part of the nature of installing Beta
software.
This applies to Beta anything from any source, not just Microsoft.

If the above risks are unacceptable, a Beta should not be installed.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

So, is that the reason that MS made the pre-release-just-out-of-beta RC
patch available to anyone who wants to take the time to download it?

No, of course not. The reason they made it available is because at
this stage in its development they want it tested by as many people as
possible,

Read
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6b124a720aa&displaylang=en#QuickInfoContainer

or http://tinyurl.com/2afxb7

where it clearly states

"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."

Installing beta software on any computer where you would be hurt if
everything were lost is foolhardy.

 

[philo]

Has anyone installed the XP SP3 pre-release? If so, how is it working?

Thanks;
David

I cloned my system...then gave sp3 a try and it worked very well for me...
but there have been quite a few negative reports.

Unless you have the ability to clone your drive first...
you should just wait until it's officially released...there are bound to be
a few add'l tweaks