xp service pack 3?

[tony draper]

Upgrading a neighbors puter,he has a early version of WIN xp when I did this for him a while back I downloaded SP 3 for Win xp and updated his machine,now the normal Microsoft web sites I got sp3 from seem to be offline?,there are few of those phoney websites that preport to have it but are just a con if you click download you finish up with a utillity for running a driver scan and updating drivers that is nowt to do with microsoft.
Anywhere else I can get service pack 3 for XP?
:confused:

[green granite]

Service Pack Center - Microsoft Windows (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/service-packs)

[tony draper]

I keep getting 'Server not Found' Mr Granite.
Tried a few microsoft website and get that message:(

[spannersatcx]

This will take you to the direct download page click here (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en).

Just noticed that is for networks, sorry.

Or you could use windows update on said computer.

[green granite]

From those links: (I don't know why it doesn't work for you though)

Learn how to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is an important update that includes previously released security, performance, and stability updates for Windows XP.
How to get SP3

The recommended (and easiest) way to get SP3 is to turn on Automatic Updates, which can automatically download SP3 when it's available for your computer. You just need a few clicks to begin the installation and the rest of the process is automatic. If Automatic Updates isn't turned on, you can install SP3 by using Windows Update at the Windows website.

In order to install SP3, you must first have Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed. These are also available when you have Automatic Updates turned on. For more information about these and other Windows service packs, go to the Service Pack Center.

[Shunter]

If you're getting "server not found" I'd consider checking out the hosts file for any dubious entries. Malware has good reason to prevent updates which might detect/remove it.

[bingofuel]

I thought Microsoft had stopped supporting XP some tme ago which may explain why SP3 is unavailable

[bit-twiddler]

SP3 is available - I updated someones machine 2 days ago (by downloading the file directly and then slipstreaming the install into a boot disc).

It does sound like you have a malware infection to clear up first which is stopping access to microsoft, - download and run malwarebytes ( Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org) ) as well as a virus scanner. You could try an online one e.g. Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro UK (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/)

I remember fixing a computer that had similar symptoms a few months ago.

[Saab Dastard]

I thought Microsoft had stopped supporting XP some tme ago which may explain why SP3 is unavailable

Mainstream support for XP is over. It has now entered Extended support (security updates and paid support only), which will continue until mid-2014.

SP3 will continue to be available for at least that period.

SD

[P.Pilcher]

I have a truly ancient "recovery disc" which I got with a computer I bought about 7 years ago. I have used it to restore XP to numerous computers since then: it just takes forever to download the updates including SP 2 as well as SP 3, but they all download and install without problems.

P.P.

[vulcanised]

Does he really need SP3?

I downloaded it ages ago but I've never installed it and don't seem to be missing anything.

[tony draper]

Something strange going on,I've upgraded this machine a few times,stuck a new motherboard and cpu and using his existing Hard disk in,stuck the MB driver disk in in starts to load Nvidia chipset drivers ethernet graphics and other stuff then in stops and tell me to upload SP2?asks if it can search for updates but of course until the ethernet drivers are installed it cant access the tinternet,then the buggah freezes as far as I know his version of windows xp is fairly recent.
Tired of it tonight one shall continue tomorrow.
:(
Just had a thunk,think I may still have sp3 on my old hard disk,buggrit will look tomorrow

[Tarq57]

IIRC, SP3 requires a minimum of SP1 to be installed first.

Support for XP that does not have SP3 installed has, I believe, ended. SP3 will continue to be supported till 2014 (?).

So yes, most users would consider that SP3 is indeed necessary.

The link above provided by spannersatcx will download a file that can be saved (I have it on a dedicated MS folder, and a USB stick) and then the installer transferred to any computer for install.

The Windows installer may need to be updated to the latest version, if it's been a while since this was last updated.

[tony draper]

I've loaded windows XP on new hard disks twice on his machine always downloaded and run sp3 no probs because I was under the impression his windows xp installation disk had service pack 2 on board.
Tiz a mystery

[IO540]

SP3 does trash the occassional machine though. I have a nice Thinkpad x60s which won't boot after SP3. Tried it twice so far. First time I lost the whole HD. 2nd time, a year later, I had an image backup so it was OK.

Just something to watch out for... this was a major issue at the time ans M$ set up a special hotline for affected users. I spent some hours on it myself, on the first occassion.

However other machines I have built (many) updated to SP3 OK.

[PPRuNe Pop]

TD,

The site 'spanners' suggested works for me OK but I seem to remember that MS said that to load SP3 on to a single computer was unnecessary and providing automatic updates is on it will load only what a single machine requires - there is a piece to that effect. It is a large file - some 316mbs.

Don't know if it helps but thought it might be worth knowing. I checked my machine out and the K updates for SP3 are in fact loaded - I didn't know that I have to say!!!

PPP

[tony draper]

Progress report all three machine working fine now,odd thing,hooking the lads puter up to my broadband I got straight into the microsoft website,as it happened I didn't need SP 2 or 3, download some more recent drivers from the mother board manufacturers website and it's working fine now.
Mebee my machine is banned from Microsoft?:uhoh:
A lot of people had a problem with Realtek HD sound chips on motherboards that SP 3 cured Mr Pop,that was the reason I downloaded it origionaly :)