XP Home SP1 to SP3

[John Q. Smith]

I know that there were MANY problems upgrading Windows XP from SP1 to SP2.
My dad has a Dell desktop computer that is still running XP Home with SP1
and needs to update his Service Pack for software needs.
How does XP do when going directly from SP1 to SP3?? Does it have the same
problems as going from SP1 to SP2?

 

[Jim]

I know that there were MANY problems upgrading Windows XP from SP1 to SP2.
My dad has a Dell desktop computer that is still running XP Home with SP1
and needs to update his Service Pack for software needs.
How does XP do when going directly from SP1 to SP3?? Does it have the
same problems as going from SP1 to SP2?

I had no problems going from SP1 to SP2. I did however follow all of the
guidelines toward getting the system ready for the update.
And, one of the prerequisits for updating my Dell was a BIOS update.
Updating the BIOS can get a bit scary, but I also had no trouble with this
update.
Jim

 

[Mick Murphy]

The only reason that you need to update your BIOS, if there is a very special
reason to use a particular feature on your computer, which you have to
install.

Updating BIOS, just for the fun of it, is not needed.

I am running Vista on 1 of my comps, and it still has the original 6yo Bios
on an old Packard Bell.

The best way to do install of Service Packs, is when you do a clean install.
SP3 includes all updates which were in SP2

Here is some info about SP3, and where to download from.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

 

[MAP]

The only reason that you need to update your BIOS, if there is a very
special reason to use a particular feature on your computer, which
you have to install.

Updating BIOS, just for the fun of it, is not needed.

I am running Vista on 1 of my comps, and it still has the original
6yo Bios on an old Packard Bell.

The best way to do install of Service Packs, is when you do a clean
install. SP3 includes all updates which were in SP2

Here is some info about SP3, and where to download from.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

It was the "prescott processor" my dell needed the same thing.

P.S. I read someplace that installing SP3 goes much better if their is at
least SP1 pr SP2 already installed.

 

[Gerard Espinas]

I know that there were MANY problems upgrading Windows XP from SP1 to SP2..
My dad has a Dell desktop computer that is still running XP Home with SP1
and needs to update his Service Pack for software needs.
How does XP do when going directly from SP1 to SP3??  Does it have the same
problems as going from SP1 to SP2?

Hi John,

You can check additional information about upgrading to SP3 in
microsoft website which tell you
the steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

 

[Mick Murphy]

If you had read the MS link I supplied, it states you must have XP SP1a or
SP2 to install SP3

It is NOT much better to have these(as you state); it is totally necessary!!!

 

[Big_Al]

I know that there were MANY problems upgrading Windows XP from SP1 to SP2.
My dad has a Dell desktop computer that is still running XP Home with SP1
and needs to update his Service Pack for software needs.
How does XP do when going directly from SP1 to SP3?? Does it have the same
problems as going from SP1 to SP2?

Whatever you do, just make backups of any valuable data.
Things happen, if they didn't then there would be no problems discussed
on these boards. I've upgraded 3 PC's here from SP1 to 2, SP1 to 3,
SP2 to 3 etc. Intel and AMD, and none have had issues.

Most people download the SP's then run them manually rather than doing
it via auto-update. And I've seen it suggested to turn off Anti-Virus
software as it stops some files from loading.
I'll add these links just in case others didn't:

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

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

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

 

[MAP]

If you had read the MS link I supplied, it states you must have XP
SP1a or SP2 to install SP3

It is NOT much better to have these(as you state); it is totally
necessary!!!

Why would I read it when I have no intention of installing SP3?

 

[Mick Murphy]

If you had read it, you would have given the correct info.
It is your loss, not installing SP3.
Woo-Hoo; fear of the unkown, eh?

 

[MAP]

If you had read it, you would have given the correct info.
It is your loss, not installing SP3.
Woo-Hoo; fear of the unkown, eh?

Having the latest update (notice I didn't say best) is not some type of
merit badge.

 

[Plato]

How does XP do when going directly from SP1 to SP3?? Does it have the same
problems as going from SP1 to SP2?

depends on how healthy your system is to start with...