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Is the SP3 update necessary ?


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Posted

Hello Group!

Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

experience of this particular update…?

Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

from experienced users…

Thanks in Advance!

Roy

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

Roy wrote:

> Hello Group!

> Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

> about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

> about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

> just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

> I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

> experience of this particular update??

> Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

> Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner?

> I don?t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

> from experienced users?

 

It is always important to keep your operating system patched. I have

installed SP3 on hundreds of systems with no problems and have experienced

no issues afterwards, either with my own XP machines or on clients'

computers. Proper preparation is key. Always back up data before doing a

big upgrade like a Service Pack.

 

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals

and Developers (Microsoft Download Center)

http://tinyurl.com/6k9zo3

 

Release notes for WinXP SP3 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3 -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

 

Prerequisites for a successful installation - MVP Harry Waldron -

http://tinyurl.com/6nf4k4

Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3 -

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

WinXP SP3 Installation -

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

The hard disk space requirements for WinXP SP3 -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311

 

SP3 Post-Installation Cleanup -

http://www.aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

>Hello Group!

>Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

>about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

>about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

>just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

>I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

>experience of this particular update…?

>Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

>Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

>I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

>from experienced users…

>Thanks in Advance!

>Roy

 

Depends. It brings a few new features as well as updates some

components of XP to current standards. It is a worthwhile update so

long as you read some of the caveats on the Microsoft web site. If you

have an Intel based PC, you'd not likely run into any issues. If you

have an AMD based PC from HP or similar, you might want to know about

the issue you might face if you update to SP3 with first running a

patch that will prevent a non-booting system after updating.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Steve Meyerson
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:03:47 -0700 (PDT), Roy <roybasan@gmail.com>

wrote:

>Hello Group!

>Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

>about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

>about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

>just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

>I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

>experience of this particular update…?

>Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

>Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

>I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

>from experienced users…

>Thanks in Advance!

>Roy

 

I've attempted to install SP3 twice on my Dell 8400 with XP Home &

Intel CPU. The first time it couldn't complete the install - no

problem. The second time it trashed somethint (boot record?) so I

couldn't boot the computer in ANY mode except DOS. I tried Fdisk /mbr

with no success. After several tries, the Dell reinstallation disk

booted, so I was able to reinstall the OS.

 

So I'm happy for Malke's perfect success rate upgrading hundreds of

computers, but I'd still suggest baking up your stuff before trying an

update to SP3. BTW, I had installed many other MS updates with no

problem.

 

Also, Microsoft actually has free telephone support for SP3

installation problems. Does that tell us something?

 

Steve

Guest db.·.. >
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

no, its not necessary and

having your pc functional

and operational as is, is

proof enough.

 

however, if you do choose

to install it then be advised

that your windows sp2 setup

cd, will be worthless except

for the recovery console.

 

therefore, if you want to have

sp3 and want to be prepared

to have a method to repair your

system in the future or reinstall

your sp3 os , then you will have

to create a slipstream installation

disk with sp3.

 

 

--

 

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

 

 

"Roy" <roybasan@gmail.com> wrote in message news:bded8f6b-334f-4100-ad25-f4e58865c511@z6g2000pre.googlegroups.com...

Hello Group!

Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

experience of this particular update…?

Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

from experienced users…

Thanks in Advance!

Roy

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

Thee Chicago Wolf wrote:

> If you have an Intel based PC, you'd not likely run into any issues.

 

I would amend the above into:

 

If you have an Intel-based PC and you are careful to turn off

anti-malware programs during the installation (best done via a clean

boot), you'd not likely run into any issues when upgrading to SP3. If

you have an AMD-based PC that still has the factory image on the hard

drive, it's important to look at this page first:

 

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

 

(or http://tinyurl.com/6zs52d )

Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

> ...As I have heard in the past

> about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

> just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

 

Users who have installed WinXP SP3 successfully and have not encountered any

problems after doing so usually do not post to these newsgroups about it!

<wink>

> I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

> experience of this particular update…?

 

See above. Anyone who's installed WinXP SP3 and hasn't encountered a

problem most likely will not reply to this thread.

> Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

 

Unlike WinXP SP2, SP3 is not a major upgrade. It's basically a roll-up of

post-SP2 security updates and hotfixes. See these KB articles:

 

List of fixes that are included in WinXP SP3

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

 

Release notes for WinXP SP3

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929

 

Please note:

 

1. Free installation and compatibility support for WinXP SP3 (and only WinXP

SP3) is available but only until April 2009.

 

2. Effective April 2010, you will not be offered ANY more security updates

if WinXP SP3 is not installed.

> I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

> from experienced users…

 

I've installed WinXP SP3 on several machines and haven't had a lick of

problems.

 

WinXP 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

 

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. Go to

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows

XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"

 

Good luck!

--

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

Roy wrote:

> Hello Group!

> Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

> about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

> about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

> just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

> I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

> experience of this particular update…?

> Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

> Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

> I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

> from experienced users…

> Thanks in Advance!

> Roy

Guest D. Spencer Hines
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

I installed SP3 as soon as it was released and have had no problems I

have been able to attribute to it.

--

DSH

Lux et Veritas et Libertas

Vires et Honor

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

>Unlike WinXP SP2, SP3 is not a major upgrade. It's basically a roll-up of

>post-SP2 security updates and hotfixes. See these KB articles:

 

It a bit of a misnomer to call it a security roll-up as it does come

with a few new documented features, a few undocumented new features,

and all the hotfixes that were not put out via Windows Update. There

were well over 1000 hotfixes put ito it.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest D. Spencer Hines
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

I wouldn't want to be running without SP3.

--

DSH

Lux et Veritas et Libertas

Vires et Honor

 

"Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in message

news:8q0gd4d033s93qdjc3rh6kglb1ut1almln@4ax.com...

>>Unlike WinXP SP2, SP3 is not a major upgrade. It's basically a

>>roll-up of

>>post-SP2 security updates and hotfixes. See these KB articles:

>

> It a bit of a misnomer to call it a security roll-up as it does come

> with a few new documented features, a few undocumented new features,

> and all the hotfixes that were not put out via Windows Update. There

> were well over 1000 hotfixes put ito it.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Sep 23, 5:12 am, "D. Spencer Hines" <pant...@excelsior.com> wrote:

> I wouldn't want to be running without SP3.

> --

> DSH

> Lux et Veritas et Libertas

> Vires et Honor

>

> "Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in messagenews:8q0gd4d033s93qdjc3rh6kglb1ut1almln@4ax.com...

>

>

>

> >>Unlike WinXP SP2, SP3 is not a major upgrade.  It's basically a

> >>roll-up of

> >>post-SP2 security updates and hotfixes.  See these KB articles:

>

> > It a bit of a misnomer to call it a security roll-up as it does come

> > with a few new documented features, a few undocumented new features,

> > and all the hotfixes that were not put out via Windows Update. There

> > were well over 1000 hotfixes put ito it.

>

> > - Thee Chicago Wolf- Hide quoted text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

Hmm..now I check the file size of the so called update and it was just

66.9-316.4mb, ..does this imply that my particular PC is only given

this size of file so that it will update only what is necessary?

Meaning the superfluous hotfixes which might be already in my PC is

not included anymore?

 

I thought before that the file size cound be so huge that it needs

roughly a Gigabyte of file size in the hard drive...

Needs more comments on this matter...

Thanks!

Guest D. Spencer Hines
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

My SP3 update was even smaller...

 

33 MB or so.

 

I had previously carefully installed all the hotfixes et al from

Microsoft Updates.

 

DSH

 

"Roy" <roybasan@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:156f7cd3-823b-4e00-9324-78c3949cb625@o40g2000prn.googlegroups.com...

> On Sep 23, 5:12 am, "D. Spencer Hines" <pant...@excelsior.com>

> wrote:

>> I wouldn't want to be running without SP3.

>> --

>> DSH

>> Lux et Veritas et Libertas

>> Vires et Honor

>>

>> "Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in

>> messagenews:8q0gd4d033s93qdjc3rh6kglb1ut1almln@4ax.com...

>>

>>

>>

>> >>Unlike WinXP SP2, SP3 is not a major upgrade. It's basically a

>> >>roll-up of

>> >>post-SP2 security updates and hotfixes. See these KB articles:

>>

>> > It a bit of a misnomer to call it a security roll-up as it does

>> > come

>> > with a few new documented features, a few undocumented new

>> > features,

>> > and all the hotfixes that were not put out via Windows Update.

>> > There

>> > were well over 1000 hotfixes put ito it.

>>

>> > - Thee Chicago Wolf- Hide quoted text -

>>

>> - Show quoted text -

>

> Hmm..now I check the file size of the so called update and it was

> just

> 66.9-316.4mb, ..does this imply that my particular PC is only given

> this size of file so that it will update only what is necessary?

> Meaning the superfluous hotfixes which might be already in my PC is

> not included anymore?

>

> I thought before that the file size cound be so huge that it needs

> roughly a Gigabyte of file size in the hard drive...

> Needs more comments on this matter...

> Thanks!

>

>

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

>Hmm..now I check the file size of the so called update and it was just

>66.9-316.4mb, ..does this imply that my particular PC is only given

>this size of file so that it will update only what is necessary?

>Meaning the superfluous hotfixes which might be already in my PC is

>not included anymore?

>

>I thought before that the file size cound be so huge that it needs

>roughly a Gigabyte of file size in the hard drive...

>Needs more comments on this matter...

>Thanks!

 

I do not know how the Windows Update version differs from the full

300+ MB version and nor have I seen any research or proof that it's

any different than the full SP3 package. It was designed for those

with a slow Internet connection is all I really know. The full package

backs up around 300-500MB of SP2 (and after) files before laying down

SP3.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Sep 23, 8:37 pm, Thee Chicago Wolf <.@.> wrote:

> >Hmm..now I check the file size of the so called update and it was just

> >66.9-316.4mb, ..does this imply that my particular PC is only given

> >this size of file so that it will update only what is necessary?

> >Meaning the superfluous hotfixes which might be already in my PC is

> >not included anymore?

>

> >I thought before that the file size cound be so huge that it needs

> >roughly a Gigabyte of file size in the hard drive...

> >Needs more comments on this matter...

> >Thanks!

>

> I do not know how the Windows Update version differs from the full

> 300+ MB version and nor have I seen any research or proof that it's

> any different than the full SP3 package. It was designed for those

> with a slow Internet connection is all I really know. The full package

> backs up around 300-500MB of SP2 (and after) files before laying down

> SP3.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

 

Hmm so what is the average size of the full SP3 package including the

SP2 back up?

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

>Hmm so what is the average size of the full SP3 package including the

>SP2 back up?

 

The FULL SP3 file is some 330MB and the backup, if I remember, is

around 400-500MB. So, it rounds out to a gig, give or take.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Sep 24, 9:02 pm, Thee Chicago Wolf <.@.> wrote:

> >Hmm so what is the average size of the full SP3 package including the

> >SP2 back up?

>

> The FULL SP3 file is some 330MB and the backup, if I remember, is

> around 400-500MB. So, it rounds out to a gig, give or take.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

 

Thats a cause for concern I just have 2.4 Gig left of free space in

the C drive

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Sep 22, 5:03 pm, Roy <royba...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello Group!

> Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

> about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

> about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

> just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

> I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

> experience of this particular update…?

> Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

> Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

> I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

> from experienced users…

> Thanks in Advance!

> Roy

 

I have updated several PCs with SP3 ,I had no problems in instaling

them.All the installation were smooth and successfull.Before you

install sp3 i would recommended you back up all the Important

Documents and files to a seperate backup media.then perform a clean

installation of windows xp .After the clean install perform sp3

update.

 

Also Check out Sipstreaming details for sp3 at below address

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Sep 25, 1:26 pm, windmap <wind...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Sep 22, 5:03 pm, Roy <royba...@gmail.com> wrote:

>

> > Hello Group!

> > Recently my PC notified me about the recent windows update which is

> > about the installation of the SP3 update. As I have heard in the past

> > about the bad performance of PC with such update I am reluctant to

> > just follow the suggestion of the windows update.

> > I would like to know the current consensus of the group that have

> > experience of this particular update…?

> > Is this for the better stability of my WinXP OS or for the worst?

> > Please help as I am in quandary regarding this manner…

> > I don’t believe what Windows is claiming and I want a frank opinion

> > from experienced users…

> > Thanks in Advance!

> > Roy

>

> I have updated several PCs with SP3 ,I had no problems in instaling

> them.All the installation were smooth and successfull.Before you

> install sp3 i would recommended you back up all the Important

> Documents and files to a seperate backup media.then perform a clean

> installation of windows xp .After the clean install perform sp3

> update.

>

> Also Check out Sipstreaming details for sp3 at below addresshttp://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

 

Hmm. that means lot of work just for upgrading for Sp3?

As my notebook pc comes with preinstalled win XP Sp2 that would too

much a hassle for me I think....

I was thinking having WinXP Sp2 already installed I just have to top

it with the SP3 and that it...

Is it not a simplier way of just following the windows update in my

PC where you can choose from express and custom install.

When youre finished, restart then your back to normal....?

Any comments?

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

>Thats a cause for concern I just have 2.4 Gig left of free space in

>the C drive

 

Yes, it could be. Do you have quite a few KBxxx folders in your

C:\Windows folder? Those take up a lot of space as well.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

I have tried many times to instal SP3 but could not. same error message

"Access Denied. Installation did not complete"

Any suggestions welc.

 

"Roy" wrote:

> On Sep 23, 5:12 am, "D. Spencer Hines" <pant...@excelsior.com> wrote:

> > I wouldn't want to be running without SP3.

> > --

> > DSH

> > Lux et Veritas et Libertas

> > Vires et Honor

> >

> > "Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in messagenews:8q0gd4d033s93qdjc3rh6kglb1ut1almln@4ax.com...

> >

> >

> >

> > >>Unlike WinXP SP2, SP3 is not a major upgrade. It's basically a

> > >>roll-up of

> > >>post-SP2 security updates and hotfixes. See these KB articles:

> >

> > > It a bit of a misnomer to call it a security roll-up as it does come

> > > with a few new documented features, a few undocumented new features,

> > > and all the hotfixes that were not put out via Windows Update. There

> > > were well over 1000 hotfixes put ito it.

> >

> > > - Thee Chicago Wolf- Hide quoted text -

> >

> > - Show quoted text -

>

> Hmm..now I check the file size of the so called update and it was just

> 66.9-316.4mb, ..does this imply that my particular PC is only given

> this size of file so that it will update only what is necessary?

> Meaning the superfluous hotfixes which might be already in my PC is

> not included anymore?

>

> I thought before that the file size cound be so huge that it needs

> roughly a Gigabyte of file size in the hard drive...

> Needs more comments on this matter...

> Thanks!

>

>

>

Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

Error message when you try to install WinXP SP3: "Access is denied" or

“Service Pack installation did not complete”

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

 

[Possible fix:

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/reset-the-registry-and-the-file-permissions-in-windows-xp/]

 

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

 

WinXP 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

 

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. Go to

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows

XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"

--

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

Jila0 wrote:

> I have tried many times to instal SP3 but could not. same error message

> "Access Denied. Installation did not complete"

> Any suggestions welc.

<snip>

Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

On Sep 25, 9:10 pm, Thee Chicago Wolf <.@.> wrote:

> >Thats a cause for concern I just have 2.4 Gig left of free space in

> >the C drive

>

> Yes, it could be. Do you have quite a few KBxxx folders in your

> C:\Windows folder? Those take up a lot of space as well.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

 

I have done desk clean up and it only managed to recover about a 100

mb of file space. Now I am planning to transfer some of these other

program file to the D drive, would the MSO cache be transfered to the

D drive,?

As much as I can remove what I think are unused softwares and other

unnecessary files, any comments about th importance of MSO cache

files?

TIA

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Is the SP3 update necessary ?

 

>I have done desk clean up and it only managed to recover about a 100

>mb of file space. Now I am planning to transfer some of these other

>program file to the D drive, would the MSO cache be transfered to the

>D drive,?

>As much as I can remove what I think are unused softwares and other

>unnecessary files, any comments about th importance of MSO cache

>files?

>TIA

 

Maybe it's time to get a bigger HD. ;-)

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

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