wise and/or necessary to SP3 ?

[Christie]

I recall big problems when machines were updated to SP2. My Dell works
great and I don't want to chance f'n something up. Is it really necessary
to upgrade to SP3? What if I don't? What do I have to gain by upgrading?

Lastly, if I upgrade, can I use System Restore to go back to SP2? Probably
not, ey?

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I recall big problems when machines were updated to SP2. My Dell
works great and I don't want to chance f'n something up. Is it
really necessary to upgrade to SP3? What if I don't? What do I
have to gain by upgrading?
Lastly, if I upgrade, can I use System Restore to go back to SP2?
Probably not, ey?

If it aint broke don't fix it. Why not wait untill others have downloaded
and installed SP3 and see if they experience any problems.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

XP at service pack level two will continue to be supported with updates and
critical patches for two more years, but after that only XP at service pack
level three will be supported. It is up to you when to upgrade to SP3.

No, you cannot use system restore to return to SP2. System Restore does not
work across versions of XP. You would have uninstall SP3 from Add/Remove
Programs.

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

I recall big problems when machines were updated to SP2. My Dell works

great and I don't want to chance f'n something up. Is it really necessary
to upgrade to SP3? What if I don't? What do I have to gain by upgrading?

Lastly, if I upgrade, can I use System Restore to go back to SP2? Probably
not, ey?

You can remove SP3 but it is very solid. I have tested on dozens of
machines and it is pretty solid.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

List of fixes that are included in WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

Sooner or later, you will have to have SP3 installed to be offered any
critical update. When you install it is up to you.

========================================

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-ca&prid=11273&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-uk&prid=11273&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-au&prid=11273&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3

========================================

WinXP SP3 Installation:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx

Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

 

[Bill in Co.]

No, it is NOT necessary. (But you can always join the sheep who are
blindly doing it, if you want!

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Bill, the ad hominems just aren't helpful. Users are not sheep. Show your
superiority with factual advice.

 

[Bill in Co.]

The "factual evidence" for wanting or needing SP3?? Well, you SHOW me.
Bottom line: there isn't any (except for wanting to "stay up-to-date"
(whatever that means) - and that's not *factual* evidence of anything.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

My point is the ad hominems, Bill.

The "factual evidence" for wanting or needing SP3?? Well, you SHOW me.
Bottom line: there isn't any (except for wanting to "stay up-to-date"
(whatever that means) - and that's not *factual* evidence of anything.

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

The "factual evidence" for wanting or needing SP3?? Well, you SHOW me.

Bottom line: there isn't any (except for wanting to "stay up-to-date"
(whatever that means) - and that's not *factual* evidence of anything.

The factual evidence is that if you believe SP3 only contains the
updates released to Windows Update, then you need to switch to using a
Mac or something. There were hundreds of updates that never were
released to the public that are included in SP3 that fix an inordinate
amount of issues. So yes, SP3 is a needed update. Last time I did a
fresh install of SP2, there were some 90+ updates. SP3 contains 1100+
updates in total. I'm sure no one needs those 1010 other updates
right? Please.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Bill in Co.]

The factual evidence is that if you believe SP3 only contains the
updates released to Windows Update, then you need to switch to using a
Mac or something. There were hundreds of updates that never were
released to the public that are included in SP3 that fix an inordinate
amount of issues. So yes, SP3 is a needed update. Last time I did a
fresh install of SP2, there were some 90+ updates. SP3 contains 1100+
updates in total. I'm sure no one needs those 1010 other updates
right? Please.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

I am sure not everyone needs (or wants) those updates. Of that, at least,
I am sure.

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

I am sure not everyone needs (or wants) those updates. Of that, at least,
I am sure.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[Bill in Co.]

OK, sorry. But I hate seeing everyone blindly jumping on the SP3
bandwagon as some (alleged) "necessity" (or in bringing "such great
benefits"), when it really isn't.
(I'll concede the point it likely tightens up a few more alleged potential
security leaks, but THAT is just a neverending story that seems completely
out of hand now). "True security comes from within": how YOU use your
machine, and what sites YOU visit. The responsibility should be placed
where it belongs: on the user, and his own habits. And if he ventures out
of there, that's on him. In short, you'll never make any computer
perfectly safe from the user's use or abuse. And what's worse, every time
they come up with a new "patch", problems *always* surface. (I've been
around the block just too many times on this one).

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

SP3 is not the security upgrade that SP2 was. There are some new and some
enhanced functionalities in it. It's actually very helpful in a network
with Vista computers, for example.

You aren't going to dam the tide of folks wanting the latest thing so all
anyone can do is advise moderation.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I am sure not everyone needs (or wants) those updates. Of that, at

least, I am sure.

Well, at least you are sure of not being sure.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Truth be told, the only certainty in this universe is .... uncertainty.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I dunno about that...

Truth be told, the only certainty in this universe is .... uncertainty.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Not from me. I live in Colorado also.

Bill - in case you've not noticed - lives in a different universe.

 

[WMB]

SP3 is not the security upgrade that SP2 was. There are some new and some
enhanced functionalities in it. It's actually very helpful in a network
with Vista computers, for example.

You aren't going to dam the tide of folks wanting the latest thing so all
anyone can do is advise moderation.

I don't think so, all my restore points were gone after the install of SP3

 

[Bill in Co.]

I don't think so, all my restore points were gone after the install of SP3

Besides which, it just seems that this would be one more of those things
that would (most likely) be a bit beyond the capabilities of System Restore,
due to the plethora of system file changes and overwrites.