Service Pack 3. Another dud?

[Walter R.]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware, like
Windows Vista, or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

 

[Alias]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware, like
Windows Vista, or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

I would download the .ISO and burn it to a CD and install it that way.
There aren't any noticeable improvements.

Alias

 

[philo]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware, like
Windows Vista, or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

I've used it an several machines with no problems.

It actually gives a slight boost in performance...
so I'd consider it quite opposite of bloatware.


http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/11/27/windows_xp_sp3_brings_performance_boost/1

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware, like
Windows Vista, or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

XP/SP2 will only be supported until April 2010. XP/SP3 will be supported
until April 2014.

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

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware, like
Windows Vista, or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

BTW. From your message headers:

X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180

You are not only running SP2, but a very old and less secure version. It
shows absolutely no updates since the 2004 release.

I would download SP3 now and then configure automatic updates.

 

[db ·´¯`·.¸. .>]

don't bother with sp3.

if you do update your o.s.
to ver sp3, then your sp2
win cd cannot provide you
with the repair feature, thats
if you need it in the future.

further, simply ordering and
having the sp3 file/update
on a cd or harddisk is not
sufficient to repairing your
system, like you could with
your winxp sp2 cd.

ultimately, you will have to
merge sp3 with all the files
comprising of winxp sp2
in order to make a
slipstreamed cd.

the slipstream will then be
your new winxp sp3, as though
you bought it from the store and
provide the repair feature.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware,

No.


like Windows Vista,

That's not bloatware either.

or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

My view is that everyone should install it, because you should always
keep up with the latest updates to your operating system. Yes, SP2 was
good, but SP3 addresses newer security issues, etc.

But first read at least some of the following:

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

 

[philo]

don't bother with sp3.

I still recommend sp3

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

Note: there are plenty of tutorials out there for creating a slipstreamed
XP_sp3 cd,
that part is not a big deal

 

[Jim]

Service pack three is a pretty big download. Is it more bloatware, like
Windows Vista, or is it worthwhile installing on a family computer? I
dislike clogging up my computer with a lot of unnecessary "improvements".
Win XP Sp2 is pretty good, with a reasonable footprint.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

Nope it isn't a dud here.
Jim

 

[db ·´¯`·.¸. .>]

that is true in that there
are plenty of tuturials.

but in all fairness, most people
don't have the time or the technical
patience in creating a slipstream,
especially if a family is involved
and the family is always a priority.

the reason the issue of installing
sp3 was brought forward is because
it is automatically installed.

unfortunately, this convenience
is not without issues, especially
if the family computer is less
that optimal and the installation
fails or the system becomes
unstable.

to reiterate, if the system does
become unstable, the winxp sp2
cd wont be of much help to repair
it.

 

[philo]

that is true in that there
are plenty of tuturials.

but in all fairness, most people
don't have the time or the technical
patience in creating a slipstream,
especially if a family is involved
and the family is always a priority.

the reason the issue of installing
sp3 was brought forward is because
it is automatically installed.

unfortunately, this convenience
is not without issues, especially
if the family computer is less
that optimal and the installation
fails or the system becomes
unstable.

to reiterate, if the system does
become unstable, the winxp sp2
cd wont be of much help to repair
it.

Correct. One would have to create a slipstreamed cd

All one needs to do is google for instructions
then follow them

Yet in another newsgroup you advised someone who had installed SP3 and had a
problem with it...
to boot up with their XP cd which was sp2


(see microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)

 

[db ·´¯`·.¸. .>]

yes,'

the repair recovery console
is version friendly and can
help fix some disk and file
issues.

however, I emphasize on
the word "some".

but other than the tool above,
the other tools provided on
an installation disk, ie, install
and repair install will not
function if the cd is a different
version than what is installed
on the disk.

by far, the repair installation
is the one tool that fixes a
wide array of issues with
an o.s.

 

[Unknown]

Why don't you just go sit in a corner.

 

[N. Miller]

Why don't you just go sit in a corner.

He thinks he is drunk, but he is really just crazy.

 

[N. Miller]

DO NOT under any circumstances INSTALL WinXP SP3 without first checking and
making certain that all of your computer's components are SP3 certified.

Particularly, DO NOT INSTALL if you have any Intel components as they are
choosing NOT to get their drivers SP3 certified.

And, last but not least, determining whether or not your motherboard or
network adapter drivers are SP3 compliant is nearly impossible.

Installing or using already installed non-compliant drivers will make
certain catastrophic computer failure.

Sounds like a bunch of bunk. Got an Intel "Pentium(R) D CPU, 3.20 GHz"
processor, and an "Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection", and an "Intel(R)
82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controller". Not inclined to look any
further for other Intel stuff. I have Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005,
and have successfully inst

The problem has arisen since 17Dec2008 when MS issued security update
KB960714. Unfortunately, it exacerbated bad or faulty network adapter
drivers issued by Intel that are NON SP3 compliant. Additionally, Intel
will not be making available SP3 compliant drivers on many of their
products. To aggravate the situation, Intel has remained mute on this
subject and has issued absolutely no warnings or notices.

You have been warned!

I have KB960714 installed. That is an MS Internet Explorer security update.
It has not caused any problems, here. Suggest you check your MSIE
installation; something is wrong, or corrupt with your browser.

 

[Twayne]

DO NOT under any circumstances INSTALL WinXP SP3 without first

checking and making certain that all of your computer's components
are SP3 certified.

Not true, not necessary, certifying is done to XP, not to SP.

Particularly, DO NOT INSTALL if you have any Intel components as they
are choosing NOT to get their drivers SP3 certified.

Do you even know who Intel is?

And, last but not least, determining whether or not your motherboard
or network adapter drivers are SP3 compliant is nearly impossible.

Not at all.

Installing or using already installed non-compliant drivers will make
certain catastrophic computer failure.

How so?

The problem has arisen since 17Dec2008 when MS issued security update
KB960714. Unfortunately, it exacerbated bad or faulty network adapter
drivers issued by Intel that are NON SP3 compliant. Additionally,
Intel will not be making available SP3 compliant drivers on many of
their products. To aggravate the situation, Intel has remained mute
on this subject and has issued absolutely no warnings or notices.

No, that's wrong.

You have been warned!

You act as though SP3 is new: it's already installed on many millions of
machines. You are totally wrong. YOU have been warned. But please
don't load SP3. In fact, you need to uninstall SP2 and SP1 too if you
have it! They are even more dangerous!

Have another drink, then remove them. NOW! You've been warned!