Windows XP SP3 is RTM!

Sebby · Apr 22, 2008, 11:14:33

I've been waiting for SP3 for a while (primarily because I want to format, so I want to slipstream and avoid all those Windows updates!).

Yesterday, it was released to manufacturing. It will be released to the public on 29 April.

More on The Register.

Rik · Apr 22, 2008, 11:15:06

Here we go again...

Sebby · Apr 22, 2008, 11:16:59

I don't foresee any trouble with this service pack, as it really is just a service pack this time.

Rik · Apr 22, 2008, 11:17:49

It's a Microsoft service pack. That's an entirely different class of creature.

Sebby · Apr 22, 2008, 11:31:51

I'll happily try it as soon as it's released next week, so I'll let you know.

Simon · Apr 22, 2008, 11:35:43

It had better not bugger up my new machine!

somanyholes · Apr 22, 2008, 11:41:51

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1686

so june will be fun time. It should't be as bad as when sp2 rolled out, the main reasons for the issues with that where due to the windows firewall being turned on, which should have been done on the original build, and would have saved a lot of time and money.

Sebby · Apr 22, 2008, 13:04:34

Indeed. SP2 was a major update, whereas this is really just a collection of patches.

Colin Burns · Apr 23, 2008, 00:27:40

Quote from: Rik on Apr 22, 2008, 11:17:49
It's a Microsoft service pack. That's an entirely different class of creature.

i thought they were suicide packs and if you install them your PC looks for the closest bridge

D-Dan · Apr 23, 2008, 20:24:37

I had SP3 RC2 installed. That's why I had to do a full re-install from scratch. I'm wary of this one

Usually an early adopter - but it's far too soon after getting my system stable and how I like it to risk again, so feel free to test away, let me know in a month if it's now safe.

Sebby · Apr 23, 2008, 20:29:20

It's difficult to say as it was a released candidate, Dan. I don't know why, but I just can't see this SP being a problem, especially if you slipstream it (that's what I'll be doing next week).

Glenn · Apr 23, 2008, 21:10:10

I've not had a problem with SP3 RC2 on my laptop, I wouldn't say it gave any speed or stability improvemnts though. Slipsteaming it should make the rebuild process painless, I have used nlite to it in the past with no real issues.

Sebby · Apr 23, 2008, 21:32:04

Same here, Glenn, nLite is great. I'm not expecting any extra stability or speed; I'm just pleased I won't have all the updates to download after a fresh install.

Sebby · Apr 28, 2008, 21:25:33

For those itching to get their hands on SP3 (I was as I've just reinstalled XP for a friend!) you can download it from the Microsoft site.

http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/software/svpk/2008/04/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu_c81472f7eeea2eca421e116cd4c03e2300ebfde4.exe

Although it's not officially released until tomorrow on Windows Update and the Download Centre, someone has leaked the direct link.

Simon · Apr 29, 2008, 00:29:56

That file has given me a bit of trouble, Seb. Every time I hovered the mouse over it, the PC froze, and when it did come back to life, the file wouldn't delete until I booted into safe mode. Not sure if it's the file or the PC, but I would advise caution with it. $:-\$

Sebby · Apr 29, 2008, 08:24:02

That's very strange. I know that hundreds of people, myself icluded, have downloaded and installed it fine. It sounds like it might be one of your security packages wrongly interferring.

Glenn · Apr 29, 2008, 08:35:05

SP3 could problems at work, we have several apps that don't run on IE7

kinmel · Apr 29, 2008, 09:04:46

Have downloaded without problems, however on 2 pc s so far the installation fails at installing Catalogue files, then warns that windows may no longer run properly

Not a problem saved again by Ghost

Gary · Apr 29, 2008, 09:20:16

When installing service packs its always a good idea to remove your security software and do a chkdsk before and after as well, some security packages have such deep hooks it can mess things up on install sadly. This applies if you can download the package first really, but its the way I went about installing Vista SP1

Simon · Apr 29, 2008, 09:55:58

So, it would generally be safer to wait until the auto update comes along?

Rik · Apr 29, 2008, 10:08:35

Or until lots of other people have installed it first.

Gary · Apr 29, 2008, 10:19:41

Quote from: Rik on Apr 29, 2008, 10:08:35
Or until lots of other people have installed it first.

Just

Quote from: Simon on Apr 29, 2008, 09:55:58
So, it would generally be safer to wait until the auto update comes along?

just do a scannow Simon, a chkdsk before and after and you should be fine

I would wait for it to come down the pipe myself but still do those steps

Ray · Apr 29, 2008, 11:51:29

I've just installed SP 3 with no problems on my main PC, just disconnected from the Lan and disabled my security software.

Gary · Apr 29, 2008, 12:04:46

Quote from: Sheltieuk on Apr 29, 2008, 11:51:29
I've just installed SP 3 with no problems on my main PC, just disconnected from the Lan and disabled my security software.

best way

Sebby · Apr 29, 2008, 13:12:45

I installed on 3 PCs last night without a single issue. I'll be slipstreaming it at the weekend and formatting my PC.