I've done the unthinkable

cavillas · Dec 19, 2007, 17:42:48

I have installed the latest xp sp3 rc onto my main machine. So far everything seems ok and it seems to be responding slightly faster. Nothing has clashed with it and all the hardware seems to be working ok. I will let you know if anything untoward happens.

Luckily I always image copy my operating system drive before any major alterations so can easily re-instate everything. My documents and data are stored on a seperate hard drive and always accessed from there.

Some ones got to try it out.

Rik · Dec 19, 2007, 17:44:10

And I'm all in favour of that someone being you, Alf.

ducky22 · Dec 19, 2007, 17:49:27

I thought you'd gone and bought a mac, yuk. I spent 20 minutes yesterday trying to figure out how to mount a windows share on a mac. It shows I've never used OSx in my life :-P. Hate it!

How are you finding SP3? I run Vista on my desktop and laptops however the gf still uses XP (I'm too lazy to upgrade it).

Have you noticed any performance increases?

Sebby · Dec 19, 2007, 18:15:26

I installed Vista SP1 RC the other day. It hasn't done a thing.

Rik · Dec 19, 2007, 18:20:46

It only works with Vista, Sebby - no good at all with Windows 3.1.

Glenn · Dec 19, 2007, 18:28:13

Alf, have you found the Meaning of Life?

Sebby · Dec 19, 2007, 18:45:00

Quote from: Rik on Dec 19, 2007, 18:20:46
It only works with Vista, Sebby - no good at all with Windows 3.1.

Ah, that explains it.

cavillas · Dec 19, 2007, 18:56:25

SP3 for xp on my windows xp machine works brilliantly at the moment and there is definately a performance increase and it appears to be stable at the moment. But then never say never.

Sebby · Dec 19, 2007, 19:13:12

Well, XP with SP2 was brilliantly stable, so unless they've made a mess of SP3, I'd imagine it will continue the reliability.

Simon · Dec 19, 2007, 21:07:37

I suppose this will eventually be forced upon us via Windows Update?

old Bill · Dec 19, 2007, 21:18:57

Just cannot believe that some people still use Vista/XP. At least with a Mac you dont need a service pack.

john · Dec 19, 2007, 21:49:23

Quote from: old Bill on Dec 19, 2007, 21:18:57
Just cannot believe that some people still use Vista/XP. At least with a Mac you dont need a service pack.

Not just some people Bill 96% of them compared to 2.5% for the Mac (BBC News 8/2/07).

Sebby · Dec 19, 2007, 22:14:32

Quote from: Simon on Dec 19, 2007, 21:07:37
I suppose this will eventually be forced upon us via Windows Update?

I believe there'll be a blocker to stop it installing automatically, like there was for IE7, released by Microsoft.

Rik · Dec 19, 2007, 23:50:52

I'm hoping they make it available on CD, as they did with SP2. Much easier with three machines to update.

Sebby · Dec 19, 2007, 23:53:16

I'm sure they will. Or, failing that, you could always download it and burn it to a CD yourself.

Rik · Dec 19, 2007, 23:56:23

Why waste the bandwidth if I can get MS to do it for me.

Inactive · Dec 20, 2007, 00:01:10

Quote from: old Bill on Dec 19, 2007, 21:18:57
Just cannot believe that some people still use Vista/XP. At least with a Mac you dont need a service pack.

Just a big wallet, a lack of reasonably priced software and finally, somewhere to hang it when it stops raining.

Sebby · Dec 20, 2007, 00:03:03

Now now, boys.

Ann · Dec 20, 2007, 01:20:26

From what I've read there's not a lot of new stuff in SP3. Most of it is made up of all the little updates that we've been doing since SP2. Doesn't sound very exciting to me.

Inactive · Dec 20, 2007, 01:25:38

I noticed that as well Ann, many normal updates have been listed as SP3 in Belarc.

Inactive · Dec 20, 2007, 02:04:23

Quote from: old Bill on Dec 19, 2007, 21:18:57
Just cannot believe that some people still use Vista/XP. At least with a Mac you dont need a service pack.

Oh BTW OB, are you still with Fast, or have you done the wise thing and returned to IDNet?

Sebby · Dec 20, 2007, 07:25:26

I think most people expected SP3 to mainly be a collection of updates. SP2 was the big one.

cavillas · Dec 20, 2007, 09:43:09

I had all the xp updates (and some) woth this sp3 things do seem to work a little better. I will get the final relaese when it comes out and will be able to see oif that makes any more difference. There are only little changes to layout Remote Desktop Connection is now under Accessories and wireless network setup is under communications. Other than that everyhting seems to be under the hood stuff.

Sebby · Dec 20, 2007, 09:53:16

Under the hood updates are often the best. No one wants/needs interface changes for the sake of it, but everyone does want increased performance/reliability.

mrapoc · Dec 20, 2007, 17:53:30

The only thing is EVERYTHING MS do is under the hood - thats why ive turned in an Open source fanatic of a sort

WHo knows what MS are doing (on nlite, which streamlines and removes extra cr*p from windows install, there is actually an option to remove "Alexis" or something, which is actually put there to monitor surfing habits

)

My laptop is soon to be Ubuntu-nised plus WINE so i can install my programming suites etc. for college

Oh yeah, sp3 is on my windows gaming partition, havent really noticed any difference

Lance · Dec 20, 2007, 19:29:27

Quote from: old Bill on Dec 19, 2007, 21:18:57
At least with a Mac you dont need a service pack.

Just £100 once a year for a slightly newer version...

old Bill · Dec 21, 2007, 16:47:25

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 20, 2007, 02:04:23
Oh BTW OB, are you still with Fast, or have you done the wise thing and returned to IDNet?

Funny you should ask that. Have been very happy with both Fast and IDnet but my wife told me that we had to cut some costs. She said why did I not sign up for Skys service only £10.00 per month. Ok the extra speed would be nice,but I gave up dealing with big faceless ISPs a long time ago and I like my 2700 router to much. So after a long heated debate the BB budget was increased to £20.00 pm. Now as much as I like Fast and IDnet and they are worth the money you will not get much allowance for £20. So I should be changing ISPs tomorrow if BT get a move on to Vivaciti. Ok they may not be quite as good as Fast and Idnet but for £20 you get a good allowance and they must be better then Sky.

Sebby · Dec 21, 2007, 17:00:24

I was going to recommend an Entanet reseller if your budget is £20 per month, but you got there first.

Entanet are a really good ISP. There is a bit of a slowdown during off-peak times (though not noticeable for web browsing) as a consequence of the generous off-peak allowance they provide. But, they're a caring ISP who are always looking into the future, and I don't doubt you'll be very happy with them.

Inactive · Dec 22, 2007, 00:31:52

Thanks for the update OB, good luck at Vivaciti, as Sebby has said, any Enta Seller's are usually OK.

Far better than Sky.

Sebby · Dec 22, 2007, 00:40:32

There's a certain someone over on TB that wouldn't have a bad word said about Sky, In.

Rik · Dec 22, 2007, 00:40:56

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 22, 2007, 00:31:52
Thanks for the update OB, good luck at Vivaciti, as Sebby has said, any Enta Seller's are usually OK.

Far better than Sky.

Though we might just draw the line at one reseller, eh?

Rik · Dec 22, 2007, 00:41:15

Quote from: Sebby on Dec 22, 2007, 00:40:32
There's a certain someone over on TB that wouldn't have a bad word said about Sky, In.

Can't have phoned CS then.

Inactive · Dec 22, 2007, 00:44:13

Quote from: Sebby on Dec 22, 2007, 00:40:32
There's a certain someone over on TB that wouldn't have a bad word said about Sky, In.

Tell me about it Sebby, I once went in to the Sky Section to ~~taunt~~ comment.

Sebby · Dec 22, 2007, 00:51:36

john · Dec 22, 2007, 00:55:02

Quote from: Sebby on Dec 22, 2007, 00:40:32
There's a certain someone over on TB that wouldn't have a bad word said about Sky, In.

Yes, but his name's 'Rupert Murdoch'

Malc · Dec 22, 2007, 00:56:52

Sky annoy me.

I'm about to unsubscribe to movies and sports (never watch the films and can now get football with tvants and sopcast).

Every possible method of upgrading (to pay more) is available, BUT can I find out how to unsubscribe to some packages

john · Dec 22, 2007, 01:05:58

I don't have Sky, possibly because I've grown up without having to subscribe to get television programmes and also because I know people who have and say they keep meaning to cancel. Also I'm not interested in sport and I don't mind waiting for films to be shown on the terrestial channels.

Anyway, posting on Idnetters is much more interesting and involving than television.

Rik · Dec 22, 2007, 01:08:27

Quote from: Malc on Dec 22, 2007, 00:56:52
Every possible method of upgrading (to pay more) is available, BUT can I find out how to unsubscribe to some packages

You have to phone them to unsubscribe, Malc - which is no accident.

Rik · Dec 22, 2007, 01:10:00

Quote from: john on Dec 22, 2007, 01:05:58
I don't have Sky

I have it for two reasons. (1) DTT is not an option here for the time being, (2) They have all the major rugby coverage. It's the only sport I do follow, but I follow it passionately.

Malc · Dec 22, 2007, 01:11:04

Quote from: Rik on Dec 22, 2007, 01:08:27
You have to phone them to unsubscribe, Malc - which is no accident.

I discovered that, after going through several pages of there site

I shall have my script of excuses ready, best one being "no money" I think

Rik · Dec 22, 2007, 01:12:19

Quote from: Malc on Dec 22, 2007, 01:11:04
I shall have my script of excuses ready, best one being "no money" I think

They do find it difficult to accept that you might just know your own mind.

Inactive · Dec 22, 2007, 01:12:33

Quote from: Rik on Dec 22, 2007, 01:08:27
You have to phone them to unsubscribe, Malc - which is no accident.

Indeed, on a rip-off number and then go through the multi menu to fially speak to the monkey.

I long ago stopped paying for Sky, I just watch the free channels now, together with Freeview and my Multi Sat set up.. plenty to watch at no cost.

Rik · Dec 22, 2007, 01:13:59

You left out the interminable queues, In. I once called with a technical problem and they were saying the queue length was 79 minutes!! I posted on Digital Spy instead.

Malc · Dec 22, 2007, 01:18:28

My old box broke a year ago, so I rang to cancel, they asked why?

I said I'm not paying £199 for a new box.

So, they gave me a ex demo for £30 and free instalation, it's still working now.

So, if it breaks down, try to cancel, they don't want to loose the £49 a month for that reason.