Comments on: Don't install Windows XP Service Pack 3, yet

The pluses don't outweigh the risk of software incompatibilities

[RicABlair]

This "wait and see" policy is purely arbitrary. There's no rhyme or reason to it...if you really think about it. Who's to say after waiting several months after SP3 is first put out that the so-called maturity safety factor kicks in? No one can say that there won't be a major hack attack 6 months after SP3. So, then the theory says to wait for SP4 and let that mature.. So, when does it end? While SPx fixes bugs right up to the time of SPx issuance, waiting 3 more months won't prevent future bugs (or even old bugs discovered later on) and waiting just creates a bigger hole in the safety net . It is bad advice to delay installing SPx, and especially for the absurd reason given. [http://ROTFL a "tenant" lives in an apartment. I should've waited for SP1 (spelling patch) on this blog]|http://ROTFL a "tenant" lives in an apartment. I should've waited for SP1 (spelling patch) on this blog]].

[mhinnewyork]

I get it. You just want to argue. If I said the sun would rise in the morning, you'd argue that. Give the rest of the world a rest and don't make any more stupid comments.
Michael Horowitz

[DDUBOWITS]

He's right. I installed SP3 on my up-to-the-minute XP sp2 and discovered a number of previously done updates were rolled back. For example, IE7 was rolled back to IE6 and Mediaplayer 11 was also rolled back. Nice going Microsoft. What the hell is going on in Redmond these days?

[mhinnewyork]

From what I read this is not supposed to happen. SP3 is supposed to update IE7, if you have it, not roll it back to IE6. I would contact whoever provides support for your copy of Windows. Michael Horowitz.

[dawnshipman]

hi there, i have sp3 on my pc and i have to say its crap when it comes to updates, i have 14 updates that i cant install since i have had sp3.
come on guys when you gunna wake up and smell the coffee? please give us the updates pronto.
other than that i have no complaints lol

[nalagee]

Soon after installing SP3 I noticed that my free memory was constantly sagging to virtually nil (I have 1gig on a 2.4MHz machine). After I came to suspect SP3 might be a factor I uninstalled SP3 and now have a fairly constant 500Mb free even with OE, IE7 and a graphic editing program running.

I think I'll leave SP3 for some time yet. Nalagee

[mhinnewyork]

Windows XP SP3 has not yet been officially released by Microsoft, thus the code you are running is either a beta version or you didn't get it from Microsoft. Also, what are you looking at to determine "free memory"?

[conchchowder]

check your virtual memory settings.

[ohsama]

An IT friend gave me SP3 on a CD he made. I installed it and XP seems to work fine with no slowing down, IE7 updated and nothing close to a problem (yet). But it seems In your reply to DDUBOWITS you don't mention that SP3 is a beta at this time as you told nalagee. I got the CD 4/20/08--is it definitely a beta? If its a beta what were the changes made in the final version?

[mhinnewyork]

You should never install a service pack from CD given you by a friend. What you were given is not the final version of SP3.

[conchchowder]

REMEMBER! SP3 is ONLY for x86 machines. SP2 for x64 is equivalent to SP3 for x86 machines.

[mhinnewyork]

Good point, thanks.

[Arlette Harcourt]

<<Don't install Windows XP Service Pack 3, yet>>

Don' t worry, I won' t !!
I still remember the nightmare of IE7 upgrade (and I waited two months before giving in.)
I suddenly was unable to open most of my "favorite" websites and I was on a very reduced internet usage for seven weeks.

Trying to uninstall the beast was useless as IE6 had been banned from MS downloads and the band-aid provided by MS which was supposed to make IE7 mimic IE6 and fool the non compatible websites, did not work at all.

XP works fine for me as it stands and the Vista gimmicks do not impress me whatsoever, but then, my computer is a work tool not a play station.

Anyway, thanks for the warning - and I concur.

[mhinnewyork]

I waited a year before installing IE7, but I'm mostly a Firefox user and more conservative than most. But, I share you mind-set, viewing the computer as a work tool not a play station. Michael Horowitz

[jledv]

I think you meant "tenet" (a principle) instead of "tenant" (a renter).

[Tony Burke]

Seems like fairly sensible advice. Apart from 'tenant' instead of 'tenet' there is another Freudian? slip - "SP3 has 'underdone" much testing! Undergone??

[SP3Victim]

I had to do a system restore after installing the sp3.

Thanks for wasting my time, MS!

[lifeboatpres]

I also had to do a system restore. I was very disappointed as I do know what I'm doing and have been using Microsoft operating systems since 1986. I tried a few things and researched a bit on the internet but couldn't find a solution.

This type of crap is making me consider switching to a Mac as I have heard nothing but horror stories about Vista.

Eric Klien
http://lifeboat.com

[nemosdad]

Add me to the list of having to do a system restore. Like an idiot I tried to install it again, same thing. When I checked my update history lo and behold SP 3 has both installed AND it has failed, twice. When checking to see if I have the latest updates I'm told that the info has downloaded, it's just waiting to install.Checked the report and it has a different code for each failure. My next computer will be a Mac.

[perfumfree]

I'm really glad, I had heard windows xp sp3 was going to be a problem. That is why when I just had to add a new hard drive to my Gateway I used the restore dvd which loaded sp2. I've been spending the last 3 days reloading all my software and constantly being interrupted with updates for sp2. Finally I figured out how to stop the updates from being automatic and letting me know first before any downloading or installing. Because this evening they were going to try and update my new system which has no problems except when MS updates my system, was going to download and install SP3. Thank goodness I had just changed my auto update so I could control when I wanted them to notify me when the updates were available to download. This method allows you to view what it is "they" want to update your system with, so you can say NO Don't download that on my system and don't ever try to download this specific download until I'm ready to have you. Phew! Just in time.

Thought I'd mention that in case anyone else wasn't aware they can control how you want your updates sent to your system.

I had to fight with Norton Internet Security for a while until I figured I can tell Norton to Ignore my choice for Windows Updates. Once I figured that out, Norton stopped turning itself off.

So, beware of Windows XP sp3!

[bearport]

Windows XP, Service Pack 3 (revised version of VSS) cripples many backup programs when trying to make shadow copies of open files. Such backup programs include Roxio Backup MyPC 2006 Deluxe and NovaStor NovaBackup 8.0.

Leave it to Micro$oft!

[hd600s]

Bearport do you have any documentation to verify SP3 causes issues with these backup softwares?

[bugzy0121]

I downloaded service pack 3 from windows catalouge and it installed fine but some programs stopped working like flash player, corel draw 12 (still not working), and my TP LINK wireless adaper.

i had to REINSTALL the to get them working apart from coreldraw 12 which still dosent work.

STAY AWAY from sp3 il have to format my pc and back to sp2 with less updates as microsoft have stopped issuing all of the update/hotfixes only juts a few (10 or so).

il install sp3 in about 6 months


PLEASE TELL ME YOUR EXPERIENCES OR WAYS TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS

[e-mail]

[p3x744]

My XP machine has run perfectly now for close to a couple of years or so now. With recording studios & so much custom software & games installed, I'm amazed it's run so perfect for so long.
I went ahead & paid the $10.68 for the SP3 CD ($3.99 + $5.99 shipping & even .70 for tax) from Microsoft.
Thank God I researched SP3 issues & stumbled onto this site. Now I'm scared to death to chance screwing up my perfect XP machine with installing this thing.

Yea I'm out the10 bucks, but thats a drop in the bucket compared to ruining my computer.

Thanks to all of you for the postings & the intel. I just got the disc in the mail yesterday (ordered 7/10, recieved 7/28) but does anyone know if this is the Beta version? The part no. is X14-60166-02.

I'm waiting to install it until I'm more comfortable with reports on fixes...

[chiucla]

yes!Don't install sp 3.I installed before.It rejected my dlink router driver,.tv tuner,.motherboard xpress recovery ,etc.I have to reformat my hd.reistall sp1 and sp2 to make the existence hardware working again! hour and hour of hard
work.MS doing that is trying to control the whole computer industries .Everyone have to pay them for the digital signature right to let you use the computer properly.what that mean ? Any invention in computer industies,hardware or software have to pay them to approve it to make it work on their windows.GoD!

[voudrais]

[dbh369]

The windows update breaking is easily fixed, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144. Yep, this should have been included as a safety measure IN sp3, but so be it. Still it works fine after executing the instructions in that kb.

[dbh369]

A PS to my comment, my XP was getting a little buggy when I installed SP3 and it gave me blue screen on boot up. I inserted the XPSP2 disk in, did a install/repair and then did the SP3 update. Windows update will NOT work when you do this because if hasn't been registered properly yet, so following the instructions in the above KB resolves the problem. Still, the first crash was a bit frightening, but I blame that on already being a bit squirrely.

Note, there are a few minor changes to windows in SP3 you won't get any other way, and if you do a clean XPSP2 install, you will have to use SP3 or manually download about 100 fixes and install them.

[john5095]

help i am busy using a laptop as my packard bell with windows xp has done an update at beginning of june and cant even turn the computer on without a blue screen with error codes coming on. still geting nowhere with microsoft helpline been waiting for 2months for a new xp professional edition and guess what still no disk help where do i go from here

[ms_brytta]

Tiger Direct is still selling Windows XP CDs

[john5095]

help i am busy using a laptop as my packard bell with windows xp has done an update at beginning of june and cant even turn the computer on without a blue screen with error codes coming on. still geting nowhere with microsoft helpline been waiting for 2months for a new xp professional edition and guess what still no disk help where do i go from here