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05.07.2008 at 01:11PM PDT, ID: 23384144
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Should I install Windows XP SP3 now or wait?

Tags: Microsoft, XP, SP3
Any opinions on the new SP3 service pack for Windows XP?  Are there any surprises in it?  Seems strange that they'd send out a new service pack just before withdrawing XP completely from the market.
Thanks,
Al
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Question Stats
Zone: OS
Question Asked By: alanlsilverman
Solution Provided By: KCTS
Participating Experts: 5
Solution Grade: A
Views: 24
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05.07.2008 at 01:15PM PDT, ID: 21519986

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05.07.2008 at 01:19PM PDT, ID: 21520025

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05.07.2008 at 01:28PM PDT, ID: 21520106

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05.07.2008 at 01:29PM PDT, ID: 21520114

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05.07.2008 at 01:15PM PDT, ID: 21519986

Rank: Genius

Accepted Solution
 
05.07.2008 at 01:19PM PDT, ID: 21520025

Rank: Master

Backup your data first before you install.  Odd stories of computers locking up.

It's been in testing for about a year or so and it essentially is all of the fixes that they have been putting out since SP2.  If you are up to date on those you possibly may not need SP3.

But yep, I'd install it.
Assisted Solution
 
05.07.2008 at 01:28PM PDT, ID: 21520106
well, I would hold off for now. The day after they released it, they pulled it back for updates to the update servers. I believe it is back up. Generally, it might be a good idea to wait until the first update to SP3. update to an update, ha.
Assisted Solution
 
05.07.2008 at 01:29PM PDT, ID: 21520114

Rank: Guru

I generally wait before installing any Service Pack, etc. until it's been out a while. That said, I've installed it on multiple XPSP2 systems at work without issue.
Assisted Solution
 
 
05.07.2008 at 03:05PM PDT, ID: 21520755
Thanks,
Al
 
 
05.07.2008 at 03:18PM PDT, ID: 21520841
I've done a fair amount of testing with both the final release candidate a few weeks ago and the released version.   It works fine ... but there are 3 updates that will fail on optional components IF they are not applied prior to installing SP3.   In other words, if you install a copy of XP-SP2 and then immediately apply SP3 (without doing any of the other updates first);  you will then have some optional updates available;  and if you install those optional updates, then on the next check you'll find 3 updates to them that will not install.   I believe this is because the updates "think" they have been superceded because of the newer version flag associated with SP3.

But if your system is up-to-date before you install SP3, then everything works perfectly.   In addition, the "XP with SP3" installation media also works perfectly ... a new install with that media works fine, and does not have the updating issue that applying SP3 to an SP2 install does.  

Note:  There was also an issue, with the last release candidate, that the latest daylght savings patch from Microsoft was not included in the package ... but a separate download of Microsoft's fix would not install (I'm sure this is also because the version # flag made the update think it had been superceded).   I do not know if this fix made it into the final released SP3.   This is what I wrote about that issue a few weeks ago:

"...They DID forget one thing:  the Daylight Savings patch that updates the DST dates to the new changeover dates.   This MAY be fixed in the final released version ... but the latest release candidate does not include this fix; AND the DST update won't install because it "sees" the version with SP3 as the "wrong version" for the update.   VERY simple to overcome -- you just have to use TZEdit to change the start/stop dates.   TZEdit is a free tool from Microsoft => here's the download link:  http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/8/a/58a208b7-7dc7-4bc7-8357-28e29cdac52f/tzedit.exe    Just run it; pick your time zone; and set the start/stop days => for the US the start/stop days are now the 2nd Sunday in March and the last Sunday in November (at 2:00 AM both times)."


Bottom Line:   SP3 is stable and works well ... but be sure you've applied ALL prior Windows Updates to a system BEFORE you install SP3.
 
 
 
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