Windows XP Service Pack 3

Hi all!!! Now that SP3 is upon us (finally), I'm curious as to the experiences everyone is having/has had with it. I'm waiting to install it until I get some feedback. I plan on slipstreaming it into my current XP Pro disc and doing a full repair install this weekend. So, I'd just like to hear what some of you have to say about SP3, both good and bad and neutral observations. I remember when SP2 came out, there were some compatability issues with software and whatnot, and I'd like to avoid this as much as possible.

THANKS!

 

The thing i see on most forum right now it a booting issue, it keep rebooting after the installation is complete.the only fix i saw was to come back to SP2.

 

This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Thanks for the info. I don't plan on doing the install until this weekend, maybe Sunday afternoon, so perhaps some more info will come to light between now and then. So if anyone else out there has heard rumors or has first hand knowledge or experience with SP3, feel free to post. I want to hear all the 'dirt' so to speak in the next couple of days. I can then research what is posted and form my own opinions on what is fact or fiction.....

Thanks people!

 

This was an exact problem with one of the last RC2 candidates, RC2 was Beta, that's why I will just wait for the MS download to make sure I get what I am supposed to get.

 

Or it could be people are accidentally installing RC2 versus the final RTM build and that is why they are having boot issues.

Why don't you try installing it and see for yourself?

In my post regarding SP3, Major Attitude confirmed the file they host is indeed the final RTM version.

 

I have just installed the latest version of XP SP3 from http://www.majorgeeks.com/Microsoft_Windows_XP_Service_Pack_3_d4323.html without any problems over my much tweaked XP Pro SP2 and some updates.

Only tip I would give is to make sure that only your c:\ drive is open. I had my W: External drive open and the SP3 started installing on that drive. :confused Bazza

PS: I am going to do a FULL backup after installing SP3 (and validating it) using Acronis True Image v10 just to be sure. Must create a restore point as well. Baz

 

I also intalled the Service Pack 3 Major Geeks has hosted and am experiencing no problems whatsoever. Maybe it's psychological, but my system feels about 10% faster.

Best wishes,
James

 

Thanks for the reports folks! Keep 'em coming!!!!

 

i am running full blown version of XP Pro SP3 and it's great.
faster and better than SP2 (who needs vista)?

 

Only reason that I wanted SP3 for XP was for a reinstall if I ever needed it, it's basically a roll up AFAIC, a long overdue rollup at that! For those of you that feel it is quicker, it's not.

At least for me it isn't and the release notes don't mention anything about speed increases, if there was, the marketing machine would have already started, you can be sure of that! Now Vista's SP1 does make a difference.

 

I disagree. Why would Microsoft's marketing department want to mention speed increases at all with XP Service Pack 3 when they are trying as hard as they can to get people to move to Vista?

Look at how it's been thus far--they are downplaying SP3 as much as possible.

 

BTW, a friend with an MSDN subscription confirmed that SP3 weighs in @ 544.86MB so I have no idea of what's being served here.:confused

 

Hehe, what was I thinking? A marketing machine for XP!? I was on the tail end of an all nighter when I wrote that. Still, my main point stands, no speed increases.

 

I haven't noticed any speed increase, but haven't used it enough to really comment. Indeed my first download afterwards was much much slower. I will need to check out a larger download to see if this trend continues. It was probably co-incidental as 2 small downloads just now went through as per XP Pro SP2 speeds. Bazza

 

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

:confused

Don't turn this thread into an OS battleground.

 

Thanks, Halo. I know. I think it was just co-incidental, but it did happen just after SP3 installed. The speed was one of the worst ever from my ISP. Thinking further, my ISP might have been updating their site as yesterday was a public holiday (Anzac Day long weekend) in OZ.Baz

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.... and the one here at Major Geeks is 316mb :confused Is it that the 316mb extracts to 544mb after installation? How will this effect slipstreaming? Will I have to burn it to a DVD?

 

The ISO is actually larger, than the executable.

 

SP3 installed nicely on my dual boot XP Home SP2 and Vista (no SP1 on Vista) no issues so far. Did not really noticed any difference except heard somewhere that balloon tip are no longer hidden under the task bar an so far I found this to be true.
Ratz

 

XP Service Pack 3

My operating system is XP Pro, SP 2. What are the advantages of updating to the new SP3?

 

Thank you for the clarification Halo, much appreciated. That's why after 168K dl's and not one complaint.

 

Re: XP Service Pack 3

Thanks, Halo! I gonna load it right now.

 

Re: XP Service Pack 3

Will do. I'm downloading right now. Jud

 

Re: XP Service Pack 3

Well, my SP3 is up and running quite well. It loaded with ease and I've not noticed any problems thus far (knock on wood). One thing I did notice is my system's speed internet wise after the installation. It seems to be much quicker and reminds me of my old Windows 98 system in this respect. I've always been a little disappointed in my XP Pro, SP2, system regarding speed but I think that is a thing in the past now.

 

Re: XP Service Pack 3

PS: I downloaded from the MG site.

 

I am running full version and it won't let me do a screen shot but all it shows is

Microsoft windows
version 5.1(build2600.xpsp071227-1539:sevicepack 3,v.3282)
end user license agreement to
BILL
HOME

 

My screenshot attached. I have installed it on my Toshiba laptop, and DELL desktop, with no problems. Downloaded from MG, of course.

 

So that is the final version and the same as microsoft will release on 4/29?

 

Can anyone confirm what version this is? After installing it, I see version 3311

Thanks

 

I thought it was supposed to be 5512 or something like that.

 

W O W ! ! ! Thanks to everybody who has posted their experiences with SP3. This has turned out to be much more than I had hoped for!!! So, overall it seems to be stable and compatible with most (if not all) software; few to no issues....

So- I guess I will slipstream it into my SP2 install CD!
Thanks for all the great input- keep it coming!!!!

:major
[dlb]

 

I had a few issues with SP3 when I implemented it on the computers at the primary schools I work at. Not only did it slow down all the computers drastically (even the new ones), after a period of time I got an error message saying that the license for remote desktop has expired, and remote desktop for me (who works at multiple schools as IT support) is essential. I've also read about other "time bombs" as they have been called where certain services are being shut down by SP3 rendering many installations useless.

 

I'm reading good and bad reports about SP3, i think i'll wait a while.

 

My version is 20080414.031525

 

I see different versions. Is the 4/29 release going to be a later version or is MG's download the latest?

 

Nearly forgot to post it. Bazza

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We'll see how it goes for me... I'm going to wait a while longer and see how it goes for you all... Lmao.

 

I don't know but MG is where I got mine.