WinXP Service Pack 3 "To do, or not to do: that is the question?"

[conus00]

Hi guys,
I have recently experienced a complete system crash and formatted my C: partition. After re-installing and updating my XPs I am currently running SP2 and facing the decision to "upgrade" to SP3.
I have read a lot about SP3 and I can't decide if to do it or not? So far the amount of bad vs good is about 50/50. I wish I knew how to start "poll thread" but anyways:
DO install or DON'T install? :D

[Reece]

I went from SP1 to SP3 and no complaints, better than SP2 ever was, I give it the thumbs up!!:yeah:

[Skybird]

No, that is not a question. :) Do it.

I just did a manual reinstall of my system, yesterday. WinXP -> SP2 from disc -> SP3 via Windows Update -> several Windows updates since then. Before, on the old installation, I installed SP3 to an old, running installation as well. Worked both times like a charm.

The only thing I remember people have to be aware of is that problem of eternal reboots, which some months ago was described to be a problem with some Athlon CPUs, and Windows installations using a HP-version of windows XP. There have been cures described around the net, I think. I do not know what has become of both problems, and never had to be concerned about them.

Find info on it, and if it gives you the impression you are safe from it, I would take the "risk".

Compatability issues with games, software etc, I so far have experienced none, zero, rien, nada.

Keep in mind that SP3 is a security update in the main, most things you will not see. Also, to some degree later windows updates depend on it. If you do not run SP3, you are compromising current and future security of your system, and degrade your options for future maintenance. I had no access to windows updates anymore as long as I had not installed SP3 (it did not list any updates available, they depend on SP3). back then I waited 2 or 3 months, to give them time to cure any possible meltdowns in the code.

[AVGWarhawk]

Yeah, install SP3 for XP. No issues:03:

[Zayphod]

Yeah, install SP3 for XP. No issues:03:

4th-ed.

BTW, I actually ordered the SP3 disk from MS. They only charge for the shipping (the CD is free).

Current installation procedure is:

1. XP Home Edition with SP2.
2. XP SP3 immediately after.
3. MB drivers
4. Video Drivers
5. Sound Drivers.
6. Printer Drivers.

I consider SP3 part of the OS, so it gets layered right on top of a fresh installation of the XP operating system.

Definately install SP3.

BTW, I tried installing it on my aunt's older Dell, and it wouldn't install properly. Had to use the restore point to put it back to "before SP3". However, if you're running current hardware, SP3 should provide no problems at all.

[SteamWake]

5th ed ?...

Run the update on several machines (about 10) only one had issues, but that ended up being driver related.

Stupid XP still has problems recognizing which NIC card is installed and chooses to install whichever it thinks is best.

[FIREWALL]

No problems with dual boot XP Pro sp3 and Vista Ultimate 64

[Zachstar]

Xp home 32bit SP3 and working fine here!

[She-Wolf]

I routinely upgrade folks computers to SP3, and my own, and have not yet had any problems

[CaptainHaplo]

Hmm.... I guess that means I am uhm... 9th?

If your running XP - SP3 is a must. Not even a question.

Oh - and watch out for steamwake - it looks like he is drinkin - havin a 5th and all....:salute:

[kiwi_2005]

I just install the major service pks, never really bothered all that much with updates. I held out with updates for yrs i just didn't trust them. Apart from SP2 update i refused all other updates before and after and only reason i install SP2 is some games required it. Had no problems with pc. Have install SP3 cause its a major update but went back to turning updates off once sp3 was installed. Dont bother telling me my pc will die or the world will end if i dont install other updates, thats crap. Dont run IE7/8 or whatever its up to and dont use MS office you probably will get less updates that way or most likely none. :)