Guest Fishermun Posted June 18, 2008 Posted June 18, 2008 Wondering if I need the Service Pack 3 upgrade. I have Windows XP currently, and the only upgrade I see is this one. I am not sure if should download/install it or not. It is confusing to me. Can someone help please, thanks.
Guest R. McCarty Posted June 18, 2008 Posted June 18, 2008 Re: WindowsXP Service Pack 3 Service Packs over the years have developed a reputation for causing new issues. That isn't as true today as it was in the past. Basically a Service Pack rolls up all the Windows Updates and reported issues in a large update package. A Service Pack 2 setup of XP will require up to 98 individual updates to bring it up to date. SP3 bypasses those updates and brings the OS up to date. Service Pack 3 also adds a couple of new features not present in the previous versions on XP. There is always some risk when you make a change like a Service Pack install. Usually if the system has problems after a SP you can uninstall it and revert back to the previous version. You don't have to install SP3 but Operating Systems are always evolving and many things depend on it being fully updated. "Fishermun" <no.spam@llowed.invalid> wrote in message news:E14C6853-9F7E-4E3E-A8C4-E20C33313348@microsoft.com... > Wondering if I need the Service Pack 3 upgrade. I have Windows XP > currently, and the only upgrade I see is this one. I am not sure if should > download/install it or not. It is confusing to me. Can someone help > please, thanks. > >
Guest JS Posted June 18, 2008 Posted June 18, 2008 Re: WindowsXP Service Pack 3 Service Pack 3 (SP3) is relatively new and for some PCs can cause problems. I'd wait a while before installing, hopefully in a few months all the bugs will have been identified and work around(s) or fixes will be available from MS and others. Also check with each manufacture of the software you have installed to see if they have posted any known issues and patches. Meanwhile here is a list of articles you may want to look at in your free time. How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389 Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68c48dad-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/windowsxp/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 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 Install SP3 in 'Clean Boot' mode: How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353 Where to download SP3 SP3 file download: (File is large but will only install components that you PC requires) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en ISO image - used to create install CD: (You must have CD burning software that can use an ISO as source) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en SP3 Issues: Windows XP SP3 Issues and Fixes Continued: (Note: there is a section of this article devoted to System Restore points, read it!) http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2008/05/25/pitstop-news-flash-sp3-still-no-go-flash-xp-sp3-still-not-ready-news-flash-do-not-install/ Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Access is denied" or "Service Pack installation did not complete" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377/en-us You do not have enough free disk space on %SystemDrive% to install Service Pack 3 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949385 You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a non-Intel-processor-based computer http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372 Error message after you upgrade a computer that uses a processor other than an Intel processor to Windows XP Service Pack 2 or to Windows XP Service Pack 3: "STOP: 0x0000007E" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=953356 This is the patch to fix the above issue "For non-Intel processors" ***Must be applied before installing SP3*** http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=230796A7-54D6-4C31-BDA3-EFD2F7E87A8C&displaylang=en From: Jesper Johansson's blog Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3? (Affects AMD-based computers with OEM images, primarily HP Desktops) http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP installation (This KB article may also solve SP3 Windows Update will not work problem) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 Some third-party programs may experience a change in functionality after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947309 Problems occur after installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 with a Norton 2008 product installed: Info and Fix: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/norton2008.nsf/docid/2008051623552079 The print operation fails, or partial pages are printed when you try to print to a Citizen printer or to an Alps printer http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;951822 Restore the Address Bar in Windows XP SP3: http://blog.ryantadams.com/2008/05/08/restore-the-address-bar-in-windows-xp-sp3/ Note: I have not tried this as I'm still at SP2, so run at your own risk! How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249/en-us JS "Fishermun" <no.spam@llowed.invalid> wrote in message news:E14C6853-9F7E-4E3E-A8C4-E20C33313348@microsoft.com... > Wondering if I need the Service Pack 3 upgrade. I have Windows XP > currently, and the only upgrade I see is this one. I am not sure if should > download/install it or not. It is confusing to me. Can someone help > please, thanks. > >
Guest SK Posted June 18, 2008 Posted June 18, 2008 Re: WindowsXP Service Pack 3 I wouldn't do it. I installed SP3 and regretted it. My PC would not boot up even in safe mode. That so called upgrade cost me $130 in repairs. The PC repair shop I took it too said they have seen this happen several times with SP3. "Fishermun" <no.spam@llowed.invalid> wrote in message news:E14C6853-9F7E-4E3E-A8C4-E20C33313348@microsoft.com... > Wondering if I need the Service Pack 3 upgrade. I have Windows XP > currently, and the only upgrade I see is this one. I am not sure if should > download/install it or not. It is confusing to me. Can someone help > please, thanks. > >
Guest Big_Al Posted June 18, 2008 Posted June 18, 2008 Re: WindowsXP Service Pack 3 Fishermun wrote: > Wondering if I need the Service Pack 3 upgrade. I have Windows XP > currently, and the only upgrade I see is this one. I am not sure if > should download/install it or not. It is confusing to me. Can someone > help please, thanks. > > My suggestion would be to do it but do it with a bit of smarts behind it. JS has given great links. You should also have a good backup already in place right?, well make an image of your HD and then if something happens, it will be real simple to go back to what you had. I had no problem. And so have a lot of others. You read a lot of complaints here but realize that is what this place is for. This is a place for problems and complaints. Also there will come a time when you will have to upgrade, granted maybe a year from now from what I've heard but that is hearsay. Still you may have to do it someday, just do it with a bit of smarts, backup!
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