XP SP3 Imminent
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Recidivist
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Essex, UK
XP SP3 Imminent
More details at http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1...9386036,00.htm
including the 'you're going to get it whether you want it or not' type message from M$.
How sweet.
including the 'you're going to get it whether you want it or not' type message from M$.
How sweet.
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South
If you really don't want it then turn off automatic updates. Easy.
SP3 isn't a major OS overhaul like SP2 was, so there shouldn't be as many problems for people this time.
I personally prefer all the hotfixes and security updates rolled into one service pack rather than tons of individual ones from Windows Update.
SP3 isn't a major OS overhaul like SP2 was, so there shouldn't be as many problems for people this time.
I personally prefer all the hotfixes and security updates rolled into one service pack rather than tons of individual ones from Windows Update.
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dublin, Ireland. (No, I just live here.)
Plastic PPRuNer
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Rochechouart, France
SP3 sounds good, but I'm a little concerned that MS may use it to stuff up XP installations in order to force folks onto Vista 
(or at least to make Vista feel less awful).
I certainly wouldn't put it past 'em - they've done that sort of thing before.
Maybe my tinfoil hat is on too tight....
(or at least to make Vista feel less awful).I certainly wouldn't put it past 'em - they've done that sort of thing before.
Maybe my tinfoil hat is on too tight....
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: EuroGA.org
Does the SP3 installation (I assume it is a single big .exe like SP2 was) check WGA?
SP2 didn't, and Office 2003 SP3 didn't check OGA either.
This is quite funny because people with systems which don't pass WGA (like that PC running a copy of XP from Amazon which turned out to be bootleg) don't get the auto updates.
SP2 didn't, and Office 2003 SP3 didn't check OGA either.
This is quite funny because people with systems which don't pass WGA (like that PC running a copy of XP from Amazon which turned out to be bootleg) don't get the auto updates.
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Australia
The main advantage of SP3 will be the integration of all previous updates and hotfixes, some of which are WGA updates, so if MS won't activate your install, then it might be wise to avoid it unless you are prepared to pay MS to activate it.
Slipstreaming SP3 into the XP SP2 disk should still be possible, which will save a lot of updating time on future installs.
Slipstreaming SP3 into the XP SP2 disk should still be possible, which will save a lot of updating time on future installs.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 62
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From: Switzerland
Hi,
Me think you must read more 
Read on many forums beta users with problems from small glitches to BSOD ... and with the beta CR2 ... !
Cheers.
The beta version has been around for a few months now, I've not heard of any adverse comments about it, so hopefully the shrink-wrapped version should be fine
Read on many forums beta users with problems from small glitches to BSOD ... and with the beta CR2 ... !
Hi all -
I installed SP3 a week or so ago - my system does seem to run faster.
Since then, a few problems - FSDiscover won't install - Traffic Toolbox won't install - may be a time to reinstall FSX.
Any one else have problems with anything after SP3?
I installed SP3 a week or so ago - my system does seem to run faster.
Since then, a few problems - FSDiscover won't install - Traffic Toolbox won't install - may be a time to reinstall FSX.
Any one else have problems with anything after SP3?
Yep, I've lost my time zones for the world except for 12 regions, no world map, no sliding bar, nothing
I also lost the ability to have an adddress bar in the task bar. 
Also, the new Beta Internet Explore 8 doesn't work - that may not be SP3, tho.
Is SP3 only for duo core systems? My sister (single core system) couldn't install it.
Also, the new Beta Internet Explore 8 doesn't work - that may not be SP3, tho.
Is SP3 only for duo core systems? My sister (single core system) couldn't install it.
Ive tried four times to install SP3 on a single core AMD and got a quick flash of the blue screen and nothing. Went back to SP2 fine no blue screen flashes.
I rang Microsoft Australia and they told me to remove SP3 for the moment because there was no support for it for now as it is a beta version, so I uninstalled it back to SP2 without any problems except that I still don't have my regions, apparently I'm in Central Pacific time ( Mexico ).
What a joke.
I even did a system restore, still no luck.
What a joke.
I even did a system restore, still no luck.
I installed it and had all sorts of problems with my WPA2 network. It was probably me, but I uninstalled it and will try again when the final version comes. Maybe I should have re-installed KB893357?
I installed SP3 about 2 weeks ago..All seemed well until I went to logon to the internet. The installation had completely messed with my internet connection and ISP account. I tried all sorts of tricks to no avail and eventually had to do a system restore.. I MIGHT try again in a couple of months after MS have sorted probs., but till then will make do with SP2... Just be carefull guys and make sure you have system restore turned on!!
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: land of the clanger
Me think you must read more
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South
Originally Posted by IO540
Does the SP3 installation (I assume it is a single big .exe like SP2 was) check WGA?
SP2 didn't, and Office 2003 SP3 didn't check OGA either.
This is quite funny because people with systems which don't pass WGA (like that PC running a copy of XP from Amazon which turned out to be bootleg) don't get the auto updates.
SP2 didn't, and Office 2003 SP3 didn't check OGA either.
This is quite funny because people with systems which don't pass WGA (like that PC running a copy of XP from Amazon which turned out to be bootleg) don't get the auto updates.
AFAIK, SP3 will only check for a number of blacklisted VLK keys, and will only refuse to install if it finds that your PC is using one.
There will always be problems with any service pack release, however I'll bet that SP3 has far less issues than when SP2 hit for the majority.
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: firmly on dry land
GG,
Thanks for that vote of confidence.
SP3 Beta did not work for me. The Beta version was about 370Mb whereas the release candidate was said to be a lot slimmer. I ran the install but the system then crashed. I had no need for SP3 so I reverted to SP2.
From what I was told, the only advantage of SP3 is for reinstalls as it sweeps up the earlier changes from SP1 and SP2 and the various patches since then. As it is patched to a recent standard reinstalls will be quicker.
If you have SP2 and are patched up to date then you are already at SP3 standard.
Well, that is what I was told.
Thanks for that vote of confidence.
SP3 Beta did not work for me. The Beta version was about 370Mb whereas the release candidate was said to be a lot slimmer. I ran the install but the system then crashed. I had no need for SP3 so I reverted to SP2.
From what I was told, the only advantage of SP3 is for reinstalls as it sweeps up the earlier changes from SP1 and SP2 and the various patches since then. As it is patched to a recent standard reinstalls will be quicker.
If you have SP2 and are patched up to date then you are already at SP3 standard.
Well, that is what I was told.
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,513
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From: land of the clanger
Wader2 Nothing personal I assure you 
, there will always be someone who has problems with installing something or another. I agree with you that if you have auto updates on so that you're up to date with the security patches etc then you don't really need SP3.
, there will always be someone who has problems with installing something or another. I agree with you that if you have auto updates on so that you're up to date with the security patches etc then you don't really need SP3.
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dublin, Ireland. (No, I just live here.)
SP3 has been "released to manufacturing" i.e. it's been locked down. It does contain a few new functions "which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system". More details in the documents here.
Microsoft never forced a SP1 or SP2 download, so I have no reason to believe they'll force a SP3 download. What I expect they will do is make it a condition of getting other updates, eventually - like a year later. By then it'll be on magazine cover CDs, if that huge download will be a problem.
Microsoft never forced a SP1 or SP2 download, so I have no reason to believe they'll force a SP3 download. What I expect they will do is make it a condition of getting other updates, eventually - like a year later. By then it'll be on magazine cover CDs, if that huge download will be a problem.
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From: Lincolnshire
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South
Maybe they didn't, but if you want the latest security updates from Microsoft, you can only get them if you have installed SP2.
For those who keep their PC's updated through WU or AU, then SP3 wont be a big deal anyway, as ONLY the files still needed will be downloaded.
Its not going to be a 330mb download unless you're going from an unpatched XP RTM, SP1 or SP2 PC.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 755
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From: Dublin, Ireland. (No, I just live here.)
That's what I said, just in different words. My point was that they do that much later, not straight away. Plenty of time to get SP3 at your convenience e.g. from work, or off a magazine cover CD.
Joined: Aug 2007
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do not bin old Kit if it still works
Just to keep things in context, the M/C that I'm posting this msg on, has just been upgraded from ME to XP (SP2) two days ago - from a purchased disk WGA enabled - broad band Update of 92 fixes - 40 mis to do and no probs - 310 MB of ram & a 10GB hard disk - Norton 2008 installed this morning - works just fine and only prob is a slow boot sequence re swap file creation - takes 6 mins - otherwise no issues - if you have old kit like my little Compaq lap top consider upgraging to XP (specs permitting) while you can. PS Windows firewall & free AVG anti virus seems to work OK as well - if you need a backup M/C - consider this option.
