XP update delayed over glitch

Microsoft on Tuesday said it is delaying the release of Windows XP Service Pack 3 because of a newly uncovered glitch.

The software maker said there is a "compatibility issue" between the XP service pack and Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System, a retail chain management program for small and midsize businesses.

Microsoft finalized the code for Windows XP SP3 last week and had planned to make it broadly available starting Tuesday.

"In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience, we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center," the company said in a statement.

The glitch also exists between Microsoft Dynamics RMS and Windows Vista Service Pack 1, though that product has already been broadly released. Microsoft started pushing out Vista SP1 last week via Automatic Updates.

"To help protect our customers, we plan to put filtering in place shortly to prevent Windows Update from offering both service packs to systems running Microsoft Dynamics RMS," Microsoft said. "Once filtering is in place, we expect to release Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Download Center."

Microsoft advised those running Microsoft Dynamics RMS to not install either service pack. The company said a "fix is currently in testing and will be available as soon as that process is complete."

[Penguinisto]

MSFT better treat XP with kid gloves...

...because XP seems to be the only thing keeping MSFT from imploding entirely.<br /><br />I mean, with Microsoft reporting that sales of Windows fell by (get this) 24% from this quarter last year? Windows is one of the two big products that keep MSFT afloat (the other being Office and associated apps).<br /><br />Obviously Vista is a massive flop, and XP seems to be the best, last hope for MSFT's Windows division.<br /><br />(evidence: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20080425/tc_usatoday/microsoftquarterlyincomefallsitmayaffectyahoobid;_ylt=AnkFE5Qo10hThOTChbwupBis0NUE" target="_newWindow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20080425/tc_usatoday/microsoftquarterlyincomefallsitmayaffectyahoobid;_ylt=AnkFE5Qo10hThOTChbwupBis0NUE</a> ... I'm sure you can find it elsewhere too).<br /><br />Long-term? They may want to jettison Vista post-haste, and do what they can to keep XP alive and their next version at least somewhat usable.<br /><br />/P

[Vegaman_Dan]

As a troll attempt, that wasn't bad.

Your comments were typical of your normal messages- ie: Microsoft is a complete and utter failure.<br /><br />It's strange that in the 20+ years that they've been around that your prediction hasn't come true yet. I figure they must be doing something right. Linux hasn't taken over the world- and in fact is retreating from the desktop market. <br /><br />Eh, it seems that the people who keep on saying that Vista is a flop are those that don't actually use it such as yourself. <br /><br />But it's a good troll attempt. You got high marks for that.

[mssoot]

Say What!!!

What in the world makes you think the next version will be any better. Thats not consistent with previous performance, quite the opposite!!

[developIT]

Dream on. Linux losers just keep the faith. Twenty more years isnt long

If Linux can stay relevant for that long that is.

[JesseThe]

Let me start the LINUX is better thread here...

Could NOT resist: Lets start it: This problem does not happens in Linux! By the Way, OpenOffice is better too ;-)

[Stormspace]

Don't wanna burst you bubble...

I did the 8.04 Ubuntu upgrade on my home server this weekend. It is so hosed, I'll have to start fresh to recover it, because it'll take less time than picking through it to see what still works. On another note however installed 8.04 on an old laptop with built-in wireless and other bells and whistles and 8.04 rocks that machine. Goes to show you that even Linux isn't consistent at times.

[daftkey]

Well of course not..

There is no Point of Sale software similar to Dynamics RMS available for Linux. So I guess you're right - this wouldn't happen on Linux, because nobody who needs a fully functional POS system would be running Linux.

[developIT]

Comparing a toaster (OSS) to a GPS (MS) is totally unfair...

You can't expect to see the same problems in both. The difference is just too great.

[SJ2571]

OpenOffice is not 100% compatible

With Word, anyway. Page breaks are all over the shop when opening a Word doc in them. Makes it useless for me to use it for existing documents.

[amadensor]

If it breaks their own stuff...

How many third part applications will cease to work after installing SP3? I think I will wait a while.

[timber2005]

Umm, none?

If you've kept up with updates you already have 95% of SP3. One of the new additions was that they added some security stuff from Vista, some networking stuff from Vista, the network management from Server 08 (that if your computer isn't up to date, you can't access network, etc). A combo of the new network and management tools is what caused this issue.

[Seaspray0]

Not uncommon for an OS

Linux has also been known for breaking software with an update. This isn't new or something that only happens with windows. Before you get too upset about it, first look at how much software has broken in the past with the 100 plus updates since service pack 2. Can you name any? Given the number of patches done by both linux and windows, I'd say both do a pretty good job of NOT breaking software, typically zero. In many cases, the software that's broken did not follow guidlines on calling API's or took some serious shortcuts in programming. So, out of the millions of programs available, how many exactly are going to be broken with SP3? Can you tell me that? Can you even estimate a percentage with some facts? Right now, I can tell you of one that will break, and atleast microsoft is taking it seriously.

[Stating]

Other Than Package Manager Breaking All The Time

Linux is clearly superior, other than the fact that in Ubuntu's latest release the package manager keeps breaking. It's a joy to keep running ap-get update and install. It's like being back to Windows 3.1.<br /><br />As for Open Office, the package manager complained because there was an unmet dependency on another piece of software. The manager decided to install that as the #4 update, behind Open Office, which required it FIRST! Pure genius.

[richto]

Windows Installer avoids all of that...

Windows Installer avoids all of that...<br /><br />Handles all of your dependencies, patching and uninstalls for you. <br /><br />And it can install different versions of the same library for different applications and manage the potential conflicts.<br /><br />Better upgrade to Vista!

[The_happy_switcher]

Windows

has been one gigantic glitch for about 20+ years.

[Seaspray0]

just another macboy

Stick to subjects you are familar with, like the mac you use. You'll do better. You're as much an expert on windows as the 3 stooges are in rocket science. When you open your mouth on the subject, you truely show your ignorance.

[macoverdose_dot_com]

lol

they are ridiculous

[daftkey]

Not surprised about RMS..

As with a good portion of the Dynamics software, RMS is, I think, coded using Dexterity. It's pretty ancient, and while pretty robust, it also shows a bit of stiffness in the joints these days.

[NewEnglander]

Free lunch

Even though there is supposedly no such thing, I just won one. A PC-head friend {I am a Mac-head} said he'd buy me lunch if Microsoft's 'last XP-hurrah' didn't work out. I know better. That's why I'm a Mac-head.

[richto]

Expensive Lunch

So you enjoy having zillions more security vulnerabilities and patches to install than Windows XP users then?<br /><br />Maybe Apple will bring out a real 64 bit OS one day...

[outsdr]

I'm surprised

Considering how complex operating system software is for ANY platform, I'm surprised that this sort of thing doesn't happen more often. But it's nice to see Microsoft delaying the service pack until there is a fix, instead of promising a patch at a later date. This is an action I'd like to see more often amongst software companies of all genres and application.

[AvenGinG_AnGeL]

was looking forward to it

had been using the latest release candidate with no problem. at least they're not being stupid about it and looking out for the consumers. on a side note it's amazing the sheer volume of OS bigots on this site that feel the need to tout their OS of choice and insult MS. the article is about the delay of the service pack not your Mac or Linux is perfect rant.

[zextron]

I agree

I'm tired of this kind of useless ranting. I'm a developer and the Microsoft platform for really complex applications has, by far, the best development tools. I'm an experienced LINUX user (my college education as all done with UNIX flavors). No OS is perfect but over time I've found that I'd rather depend on Microsoft and their expensive licensing schemes than on a nice guy who can leave the company at any time. As for open source I?m all for it if you work on the public sector and have free time. My clients don?t care if they can inspect and compile the application. They care on deadlines, quality of service and ROI. Open source developers have someone else who makes sure they get a salary. It makes sense on the academic world where people have their income assured. As always we should respect all points of view and let the market decide (something that?s inevitable). The only true virtue of LINUX and open source is that it made Microsoft a lot better. I?ll definitely move to open source as soon as I find a nearby open source restaurant.

[codevalley]

Windows evolves, but the bugs dont!

That's what I understood from this. Check this out. I think that will put it in a funny way.<br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://sillytech.blogspot.com/2008/04/myth-microsoft-announced-that-it-would.html" target="_newWindow">http://sillytech.blogspot.com/2008/04/myth-microsoft-announced-that-it-would.html</a>

[i_made_this]

XP SP3 Will Force VISTA On The Market

Just watch. All of the XP lovers who've been loath to get VISTA won't be loath too much longer after MSFT totally hammers XP machines with this SP3. It's all part of Redmond's master plan lol.

[timber2005]

LMFAO YOUR SO WRONG

Because the same issue was found with SP1 for VISTA so both were held back. <br /><br />And both SP's (SP1 for Vista, SP3 for XP) gave speed improvements... why not slow XP down if you think its their "master plan"

[JRude667]

The STORY is...

Why does EVERY story have to end in fanboys for OS's spamming the posts?! STICK to the topic, PLEASE! Get a room! lol! Discuss the ramifications of the glitch...not your personal preferences and prejudies. Like, if M$ can't make a functional SP for it's OWN software, where lie the rest? If M$ would quit spinning like a politician and GET TO WORK!

[The_happy_switcher]

I'm still searching

for a coherent sentence in your post.

[Ilgaz]

So it is GNU's fault

Did RMS stop Microsoft from releasing SP3? See? They are right! <br />Open Source, especially GNU run by RMS is against innovation.

[daftkey]

RMS?...

Sorry, we're talking about Microsoft Retail Management System. The "RMS" that actually DOES something.<br /><br />(sorry Richard - you fat, lovable communist, you!)

[ronwinship]

Why are we all becoming test rabbits?

*Balmer and Company must have changed the traditional Bill Gates approach to updates. Gates<br />at least figured that the updates should be stable<br />at least. Balmer seems to not care....look at the<br />Vista SP1....unless you machine is spot on....you<br />are dust. It cost us $200 bucks to upgrade our<br />Vista play machine. Now we are looking at messing up our (4) XP's....which is unacceptable.

[The_Decider]

This is new?

Microsoft has always treated its customers like beta testers.

[larryennis18466]

That is a crock of................

This is a Microsoft ploy to get us to switch to Vista. Vista will <br />never be right. I have a lot of that used Vista. Keyword here is <br />used. They either plunked down money to upgrade their PCs to <br />run Vista or bought new machines that is suppose to run Vista <br />out of the box. At he end of ripping their hair out by the roots <br />they either put XP back on or downgraded. They all told me it <br />was like night and day. They all now have great XP PCs. They say <br />that history repeats itself. In this case it is true. Windows ME was <br />not right until just before the release of XP. Vista will be the <br />same way until the next version of Windows will be out. While in <br />the meantime Microsoft will get richer.

[angeljeanne]

XP goof off,

I am so tired of all this updates and changes and gee my wallet is getting thiner. I think maybe I should have gone and taken those classes to use Apple after all. At least I would have all my work and files completed. Now what is going to be just Windows XP with a touch of yahoo, or just XP? No I am not going to spend anymore money to get something I do NOT want! Glitch oops yea sure?!