sp3

[Claire Brucker]

It seems a lot of people are having problems after intalling sp3. Do you
recommend that I install it?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

It seems a lot of people are having problems after intalling sp3. Do you
recommend that I install it?

There are no _reasons_ not to install SP3. I can show
_excuses_ and _things that need effort put into them_ - because
something is already wrong with the system in question - things
that Windows XP SP3 would exasperate if installed without first
fixing them - but that is not a _reason_ to stop the installation of
SP3 - that is a reason to fix what is wrong with *your* computer
(if any problems even occur - most of the time, they do not.)

When you say, "It seems a lot of people are having problems..." --> what
are you comparing to? Where did you get your count of *both* sides?

- Those who successfully installed SP3 (may bnot even know it.)
- Those who tried to install SP3 (or did) and had issues with it.

This is a Support Newsgroup - where people come *with problems* to
ask for assistance with said problems. Coming in here and deciding
from the number of postings on a particular thing that "a lot of people
are having problems" and that you should base your decision off that
is like going into the emergency room in a large city and deciding you
do not want to go outside there because a lot of people are there. ;-)

Go through these:

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

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

Prepare your computer and install SP3. If you want to respond with
"Why should I have to prepare for an update?" know that most of
the stuff that is being suggedted you do is something you should have
been doing all along (updating other software packages, disk cleanup,
disk defragmentation, CHKDSK, uninstalling unused applications,
scanning with updated antispyware, scanning with updated antivirus,
etc.) A few things have to do with particular software packages and
a few even have to do with the way a particular hardware reseller
might have 'installed' Windows XP on your system before selling it to
you.

And if you *do* end up having issues...

A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

.... good through April 2009 - when the support for SP2 also ends
(there abouts.)

 

[JS]

Most people have not had problems but there are some that do.
I still plan to hold off installing SP3 for a while.

Also if I where to install SP3 I would choose to download the
file and not use Automatic Updates.

Your PC must be at least SP1 or SP2 level as SP3 will not
install on XP Gold.

I would also create an "Image Backup" of my drive prior
to installing SP3 just in case you do have problems.
Don't have any Image Backup software:
Try "True Image" (has a 15 day trial version available)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

If you use Zone Alarm Firewall (Free or Paid) then update to
the most recent version.

Install SP3 in 'Clean Boot' mode:
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

Where to download the SP3 installation file:
(File is large but will only install components that your PC requires)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en
Be sure to download and read the file titled 'Overview of Windows XP Service
Pack 3'
Note: "You can run the SP3 update package on any edition of Windows XP SP1
or SP2."

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Discusses the hard disk space requirements for installing
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
"For a PC on which Windows XP is already installed"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311/en-us

Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/cc164204.aspx

Release notes for the Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929/en-us

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Recommends steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Also includes troubleshooting information.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/en-us

Internet Explorer: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version of
Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot uninstall
Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7 or a beta
version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before installing Windows XP
SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall Windows XP SP3,
uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media Center
Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may malfunction. To
avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install Windows XP SP3. If
this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP SP3, install Windows
XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

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

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of
Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/en-us

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support
(Via Email, Chat or Phone support)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

Availability of the .NET Framework 1.0 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix
Describes the .NET Framework 1.0 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix rollup package
for the Mscorwks.dll, Mscorsvr.dll, and Mscorlib.dll files.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896061/en-us

How to prevent SP3 from being installed on your PC
(Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...7A-5267-4BD6-87D0-E2A72099EDB7&displaylang=en
(Works for 1 year from date SP3 was released)

JS
www.pagestart.com