marx404 wrote:
> Personally, I say no, SP3 is not ready for prime time. AFAIC, it's still
> in beta.
Whether you want to believe it or not - it is no longer in beta and the
liklihood of any major changes (minor even) happening to the released
version of SP3 for Windows XP is slim to none. The Service Pack 3 has been
released to the public and that's pretty much it.
> Many hardware and software issues. However, you
> should not lose your files.
I don't know if I agree with "many", but there are known issues out there.
No one should ever lose any of their files - as long as they follow some
good common sense practices.
> You might not be able to properly boot
> if you have an AMD processor or the wrong BIOS or Norton or many of
> the other conflicting applications though.
The AMD thing has been blown out of proprtion. It is not AMD - it is the
OEM that sold the AMD processor based machine with the incorrect image
(install) of Windows XP on it for that processor - or one that was created
on an Intel-based PC. And there are easy work-arounds for that - if done
before the installation of SP3 - remedies it completely. Admittedly - most
end-users won't know that until after the fact - but the work-arounds for
after the fact are not _too bad_.
The "wrong BIOS" thing is a new one on me - what is that?
Norton/Symantec has caused issues with just about everything in existence in
the past 6 years or more. That should not be that big of a surprise to
anyone. heh
> SP3 will also change the functionality of a few programs after
> installation as well. Compatibility and functionality of many
> third party applications is a concern as well.
Honestly - the things SP3 changed (other than the address bar) - most users
will never see. As for compatibility - I actually have heard of very very
few things that worked in SP2 that don't work in SP3. SP2 had many more
software/driver related issues than SP3 is having - exponentially so.
> In a nutshell, MS has provided plenty of information about SP3 here
> and you can Google for more:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
>
> If you are adventurous and have a reliable BACKUP I say go for it.
> For the over-cautious who don't have the time to be a MS
> beta-tester, just say no. Hopefully MS will issue a SP3a to fix
> their compatibility issues.
Microsoft has not done that in the past - and to be honest - I see no reason
for them to do it now (before you throw SP1/SP1a out there - you should
research why that happened - it was not a problem with the Service Pack - it
was legalities with Java... ;-) )
For those who really want to install SP3 - they should prepare and do it
right...
Prepare for it - backup your stuff (if you don't have a method of doing this
already - spin the barrel again... click... click... boom! = or you could
start doing what one thing is unique about "risk and computers"...) and read
through the known issues and the things that resolve them. Do those things
*before* installing SP3 and then you can install SP3 with the confidence
that worst case is restoring your system to the state you last backed it up
in. Best case - you have cleaned up and fixed problems that already existed
on your system (you don't have to know you have a blood clot to suddenly
drop dead from one) and gotten the latest service pack for your operating
system installed.
Internet Explorer:
"If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version of
Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot uninstall
Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7 or a beta
version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before installing Windows XP
SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall Windows XP SP3,
uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002:
"If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media Center
Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may malfunction. To
avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install Windows XP SP3. If
this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP SP3, install Windows
XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."
It seems some people are unable to get further updates after installing
SP3... Seems some have experienced a symptom similar to doing a repair
installation on Windows XP - and the same fix seems to work for them for
that...
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Some people experience an "endless reboot" issue...
From PA Bear [MS MVP]:
Workarounds:
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
[NB: The above has been updated many times and now includes "a small tool
that will detect the IntelPPM problem and mitigate it before installing
[WinXP SP3]."
1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename INTELPMM.SYS to INTELPMM.OLD.
2. After booting into Safe Mode:
Start --> Run --> (copy/paste)
sc config intelppm start= disabled
--> OK --> Reboot into normal (Windows) mode.
Shenan Stanley wrote:
> Chris wrote:
>> while many people have been able to successfully upgrade to sp3,
>> i've seen more than enough complains and issues created by
>> the pack to make me think twice before downloading it.
>>
>> i dont want to lose my files, and i currently dont have a way to
>> back up my hard drive.
>>
>> all im looking for is an honest to god yes or no on whether or
>> not i should go ahead and update to sp3.
>>
>> so yes or no?
>
> Patrick Keenan wrote:
>> You can certainly download it without installing it.
>>
>> It's probably a better idea to download it, and install it from a
>> local file, than to use Windows Update.
>>
>> If you don't have a way to back up your files and don't want to
>> lose them, you shouldn't use your PC at all till you resolve that
>> major issue. It's never a good idea to use a PC, let alone install a
>> service
>> pack, without backing it up.
>>
>> It's very easy to make backups. 500 gig hard disks are under
>> $100 now, and external drive cases are around $30.
>>
>> So no, you shouldn't install it if you have no way to back it up.
>>
>> What you should do is address the backup issue, determine whether
>> you have an AMD processor, then take the steps to install SP3.
>
> <answers inline from here on>
>
> George wrote:
>> If you have an AMD Chip, don't put SP3 on.
>
> False.
> If you have an AMD chip and think there is a possibility your OEM
> used an image made on an Intel chip to 'put' Windows XP onto the
> system - then you need to perform a step or two before installing SP3
> all because your OEM messed up things for you.
>
>> If you have Norton Anti-Virus, don't put SP3 on.
>
> False.
> While some people have better luck installing *anything* with their AV
> turned off - on the many I have installed upon so far (60+% with
> Norton/Symantec AV - admitrtedly AV *only*) I have not turned off or
> uninstalled the AV software nor had any issues by doing this.
>
>> There are many more reasons not to install SP3 but you need to read
>> about the the issues and work-arounds.
>
> There are no _reasons_ not to install SP3. I can show _excuses_ and
> _things that need effort put into them_ because something is already
> wrong with the system in question - things that Windows XP SP3 would
> exasperate if installed without first fixing them - but that is not a
> reason to stop the installation of SP3 - that is a reason to fix what
> is wrong with your computer.
>
>> If you building a computer or have on that has hardly no software
>> installed, then you stand a better chance of getting it installed
>> without issues.
>
> No doubt a clean install means the least amount of effort.
>
> For the rest of the world (including the OP) - the answer is, "Yes,
> you should put forth the effort to install SP3 on your Windows XP
> system. Excuses can be given things can be postponed - but sooner or
> later - you likely will be doing it anyway."
>
> Prepare for it - backup your stuff (if you don't have a method of
> doing this already - spin the barrel again... click... click... boom!
> = or you could start doing what one thing is unique about "risk and
> computers"...) and read through the known issues and the things that
> resolve them. Do those things *before* installing SP3 and then you
> can install SP3 with the confidence that worst case is restoring your
> system to the state you last backed it up in. Best case - you have
> cleaned up and fixed problems that already existed on your system
> (you don't have to know you have a blood clot to suddenly drop dead
> from one) and gotten the latest service pack for your operating
> system installed.
> A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from
> Microsoft*...
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
>
> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>
> Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...1/relnotes.htm
>
> Key things to note:
>
> Internet Explorer:
> "If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version
> of Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot
> uninstall Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer
> 7 or a beta version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before
> installing Windows XP SP3. If you have already encountered this
> issue, uninstall Windows XP SP3, uninstall Internet Explorer, and
> then reinstall Windows XP SP3."
> Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002:
> "If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media
> Center Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may
> malfunction. To avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you
> install Windows XP SP3. If this issue has already occurred,
> uninstall Windows XP SP3, install Windows XP SP2, and then reinstall
> Windows XP SP3."
> It seems some people are unable to get further updates after
> installing SP3... Seems some have experienced a symptom similar to
> doing a repair installation on Windows XP - and the same fix seems to
> work for them for that...
>
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
> Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a
> Windows XP installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> Some people experience an "endless reboot" issue...
>
> From PA Bear [MS MVP]:
> Workarounds:
>
> http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
> [NB: The above has been updated many times and now includes "a small
> tool that will detect the IntelPPM problem and mitigate it before
> installing [WinXP SP3]."
>
> 1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename INTELPMM.SYS to INTELPMM.OLD.
> 2. After booting into Safe Mode:
> Start --> Run --> (copy/paste)
> sc config intelppm start= disabled
> --> OK --> Reboot into normal (Windows) mode.
>
> Other references include:
> . http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=187790#p187790
> .
> http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
> .
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05...boots_crashes/
> .
> http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9084418
> . You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to
> Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a
> non-Intel-processor-based computer (Revised 06 May-08)
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372
>
> Good luck!
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
I agree. I will only add this. Your backup better be an Image type backup
(such as Acronis, Ghost or any other imaging software). Reason is that you
may never be able to boot... at all. My installation hung up. It never
completed. Once that happens, your hosed in a bad way. But I had an image
backup made before I attempted to test out SP3. I was back and running in
30 minutes.
"marx404" <404@404.com> wrote in message
news:4843db8f$0$5739$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Personally, I say no, SP3 is not ready for prime time. AFAIC, it's still
> in beta. Many hardware and software issues. However, you should not lose
> your files. You might not be able to properly boot if you have an AMD
> processor or the wrong BIOS or Norton or many of the other conflicting
> applications though. SP3 will also change the functionality of a few
> programs after installation as well. Compatibility and functionality of
> many third party applications is a concern as well.
>
> In a nutshell, MS has provided plenty of information about SP3 here and
> you can Google for more:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
>
> If you are adventurous and have a reliable BACKUP I say go for it. For the
> over-cautious who don't have the time to be a MS beta-tester, just say no.
> Hopefully MS will issue a SP3a to fix their compatibility issues.
>
> --
> marx404
>
Not to counter what you say which is accurate in most
circumtances...there are some programs that will not work
properly or fail after XP SP3. Rather than fight it, I just
looked for different software and SCRAPPED half a dozen
long-used programs, I am sure that Microsoft cares less.
Doug W.
--
"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uYlLVgKxIHA.420@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> <snipped>
>
> marx404 wrote:
>> Personally, I say no, SP3 is not ready for prime time. AFAIC,
>> it's still in beta.
>
> Whether you want to believe it or not - it is no longer in
> beta and the liklihood of any major changes (minor even)
> happening to the released version of SP3 for Windows XP is
> slim to none. The Service Pack 3 has been released to the
> public and that's pretty much it.
>
>> Many hardware and software issues. However, you
>> should not lose your files.
>
> I don't know if I agree with "many", but there are known
> issues out there. No one should ever lose any of their files -
> as long as they follow some good common sense practices.
>
>> You might not be able to properly boot
>> if you have an AMD processor or the wrong BIOS or Norton or
>> many of
>> the other conflicting applications though.
>
> The AMD thing has been blown out of proprtion. It is not
> AMD - it is the OEM that sold the AMD processor based machine
> with the incorrect image (install) of Windows XP on it for
> that processor - or one that was created on an Intel-based PC.
> And there are easy work-arounds for that - if done before the
> installation of SP3 - remedies it completely. Admittedly -
> most end-users won't know that until after the fact - but the
> work-arounds for after the fact are not _too bad_.
>
> The "wrong BIOS" thing is a new one on me - what is that?
>
> Norton/Symantec has caused issues with just about everything
> in existence in the past 6 years or more. That should not be
> that big of a surprise to anyone. heh
>
>> SP3 will also change the functionality of a few programs
>> after
>> installation as well. Compatibility and functionality of
>> many
>> third party applications is a concern as well.
>
> Honestly - the things SP3 changed (other than the address
> bar) - most users will never see. As for compatibility - I
> actually have heard of very very few things that worked in SP2
> that don't work in SP3. SP2 had many more software/driver
> related issues than SP3 is having - exponentially so.
>
>> In a nutshell, MS has provided plenty of information about
>> SP3 here
>> and you can Google for more:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
>>
>> If you are adventurous and have a reliable BACKUP I say go
>> for it.
>> For the over-cautious who don't have the time to be a MS
>> beta-tester, just say no. Hopefully MS will issue a SP3a to
>> fix
>> their compatibility issues.
>
> Microsoft has not done that in the past - and to be honest - I
> see no reason for them to do it now (before you throw SP1/SP1a
> out there - you should research why that happened - it was not
> a problem with the Service Pack - it was legalities with
> Java... ;-) )
>
> For those who really want to install SP3 - they should prepare
> and do it right...
>
> Prepare for it - backup your stuff (if you don't have a method
> of doing this
> already - spin the barrel again... click... click... boom! =
> or you could
> start doing what one thing is unique about "risk and
> computers"...) and read
> through the known issues and the things that resolve them. Do
> those things
> *before* installing SP3 and then you can install SP3 with the
> confidence
> that worst case is restoring your system to the state you last
> backed it up
> in. Best case - you have cleaned up and fixed problems that
> already existed
> on your system (you don't have to know you have a blood clot
> to suddenly
> drop dead from one) and gotten the latest service pack for
> your operating
> system installed.
>
> A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from
> Microsoft*...
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
>
> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful
> installation
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>
> Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...1/relnotes.htm
>
> Key things to note:
>
> Internet Explorer:
> "If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta
> version of
> Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you
> cannot uninstall
> Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7
> or a beta
> version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before
> installing Windows XP
> SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall
> Windows XP SP3,
> uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP
> SP3."
>
> Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002:
> "If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows
> XP Media Center
> Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may
> malfunction. To
> avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install Windows
> XP SP3. If
> this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP SP3,
> install Windows
> XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."
>
> It seems some people are unable to get further updates after
> installing
> SP3... Seems some have experienced a symptom similar to doing
> a repair
> installation on Windows XP - and the same fix seems to work
> for them for
> that...
>
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update,
> from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a
> Windows XP
> installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> Some people experience an "endless reboot" issue...
>
> From PA Bear [MS MVP]:
> Workarounds:
>
> http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
> [NB: The above has been updated many times and now includes "a
> small tool
> that will detect the IntelPPM problem and mitigate it before
> installing
> [WinXP SP3]."
>
> 1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename INTELPMM.SYS to
> INTELPMM.OLD.
> 2. After booting into Safe Mode:
> Start --> Run --> (copy/paste)
> sc config intelppm start= disabled
> --> OK --> Reboot into normal (Windows) mode.
>
> Other references include:
> . http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=187790#p187790
> .
> http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
> .
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05...boots_crashes/
> .
> http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9084418
> . You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you
> upgrade to Windows
> XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a
> non-Intel-processor-based computer
> (Revised 06 May-08)
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
I guess my main point is that Service Pack 3 has enough issues that you
don't have to install it NOW. These issues will be resolved... so why
hurry. You don't get that many benefits for being the first on your block
for having SP3 on your computer. Maybe some security issues.....
whoopieeeee.
I have 6-computers running at various times. Only one of them has SP3.
I tried it on one other machine and it no longer boots up. Fortunately I
restored from an Image.
"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eOjXG1GxIHA.2360@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Chris wrote:
>> while many people have been able to successfully upgrade to sp3,
>> i've seen more than enough complains and issues created by
>> the pack to make me think twice before downloading it.
>>
>> i dont want to lose my files, and i currently dont have a way to
>> back up my hard drive.
>>
>> all im looking for is an honest to god yes or no on whether or
>> not i should go ahead and update to sp3.
>>
>> so yes or no?
>
> Patrick Keenan wrote:
>> You can certainly download it without installing it.
>>
>> It's probably a better idea to download it, and install it from a
>> local file, than to use Windows Update.
>>
>> If you don't have a way to back up your files and don't want to
>> lose them, you shouldn't use your PC at all till you resolve that
>> major issue. It's never a good idea to use a PC, let alone install a
>> service
>> pack, without backing it up.
>>
>> It's very easy to make backups. 500 gig hard disks are under
>> $100 now, and external drive cases are around $30.
>>
>> So no, you shouldn't install it if you have no way to back it up.
>>
>> What you should do is address the backup issue, determine whether
>> you have an AMD processor, then take the steps to install SP3.
>
> <answers inline from here on>
>
> George wrote:
>> If you have an AMD Chip, don't put SP3 on.
>
> False.
> If you have an AMD chip and think there is a possibility your OEM used an
> image made on an Intel chip to 'put' Windows XP onto the system - then you
> need to perform a step or two before installing SP3 all because your OEM
> messed up things for you.
>
>> If you have Norton Anti-Virus, don't put SP3 on.
>
> False.
> While some people have better luck installing *anything* with their AV
> turned off - on the many I have installed upon so far (60+% with
> Norton/Symantec AV - admitrtedly AV *only*) I have not turned off or
> uninstalled the AV software nor had any issues by doing this.
>
>> There are many more reasons not to install SP3 but you need to read
>> about the the issues and work-arounds.
>
> There are no _reasons_ not to install SP3. I can show _excuses_ and
> _things that need effort put into them_ because something is already wrong
> with the system in question - things that Windows XP SP3 would exasperate
> if installed without first fixing them - but that is not a reason to stop
> the installation of SP3 - that is a reason to fix what is wrong with your
> computer.
>
>> If you building a computer or have on that has hardly no software
>> installed, then you stand a better chance of getting it installed
>> without issues.
>
> No doubt a clean install means the least amount of effort.
>
> For the rest of the world (including the OP) - the answer is, "Yes, you
> should put forth the effort to install SP3 on your Windows XP system.
> Excuses can be given things can be postponed - but sooner or later - you
> likely will be doing it anyway."
>
> Prepare for it - backup your stuff (if you don't have a method of doing
> this already - spin the barrel again... click... click... boom! = or you
> could start doing what one thing is unique about "risk and computers"...)
> and read through the known issues and the things that resolve them. Do
> those things *before* installing SP3 and then you can install SP3 with the
> confidence that worst case is restoring your system to the state you last
> backed it up in. Best case - you have cleaned up and fixed problems that
> already existed on your system (you don't have to know you have a blood
> clot to suddenly drop dead from one) and gotten the latest service pack
> for your operating system installed.
>
> A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from
> Microsoft*...
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
>
> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>
> Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...1/relnotes.htm
>
> Key things to note:
>
> Internet Explorer:
> "If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version of
> Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot uninstall
> Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7 or a beta
> version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before installing Windows
> XP
> SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall Windows XP
> SP3,
> uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."
>
> Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002:
> "If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media
> Center
> Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may malfunction.
> To
> avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install Windows XP SP3. If
> this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP SP3, install Windows
> XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."
>
> It seems some people are unable to get further updates after installing
> SP3... Seems some have experienced a symptom similar to doing a repair
> installation on Windows XP - and the same fix seems to work for them for
> that...
>
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> Some people experience an "endless reboot" issue...
>
> From PA Bear [MS MVP]:
> Workarounds:
>
> http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
> [NB: The above has been updated many times and now includes "a small tool
> that will detect the IntelPPM problem and mitigate it before installing
> [WinXP SP3]."
>
> 1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename INTELPMM.SYS to INTELPMM.OLD.
> 2. After booting into Safe Mode:
> Start --> Run --> (copy/paste)
> sc config intelppm start= disabled
> --> OK --> Reboot into normal (Windows) mode.
>
> Other references include:
> . http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=187790#p187790
> .
> http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
> . http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05...boots_crashes/
> .
> http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9084418
> . You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to
> Windows
> XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a non-Intel-processor-based
> computer
> (Revised 06 May-08)
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372
>
> Good luck!
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
Shenan Stanley wrote:
<snipped>
> As for compatibility - I actually have heard of very very few things
> that worked in SP2 that don't work in SP3. SP2 had many more
> software/driver related issues than SP3 is having - exponentially
> so.
<snipped>
Doug W. wrote:
> Not to counter what you say which is accurate in most
> circumtances...there are some programs that will not work
> properly or fail after XP SP3. Rather than fight it, I just
> looked for different software and SCRAPPED half a dozen
> long-used programs, I am sure that Microsoft cares less.
I'd be interested in knowing the names/versions of the programs you
'scrapped'...
That of course is an alternative but would suck if the user paid good money
for any programs they wished to keep. OTOH, I am a big proponent of open
source software, but nonetheless, I would be pretty peeved if my fav apps
quit working or changed useful functionality all because of a not very
useful OS update.
As far as backing up, my favorites are USB sticks or an external USB HD. If
you have neither, you can use a CD-burner, but sticks are dirt cheap
nowadays. Or- better yet, avoid sloppy software updates.
Does Yes or No mean anything to you and you would follow either one without
any details which may or may not apply to your individual situation?
My suggestion,
If you wish to find related information, SP3 in this case, ask.
If you wish to learn from success stories and see what are expected
improvements, ask.
If you wish to learn from failure stories and prevent similar situations,
ask.
If you have specific concerns related to installation for your situation,
ask.
If you wish to know the best practice for installing service pack, ask.
Ultimately, you are the decision make in this case and no one knows your
situation better than yourself, so just ask specific questions for people
can help you on making the decision.
A Yes or No question normally will result in lengthy debates using extreme
examples from all sides. It's not going to help you in any way. And based
on your subject and message, it seems you have reached the conclusion
already.
My two cents for your consideration.
"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
newsCB3E818-FA36-41ED-A3BA-ACC3EAA9EE26@microsoft.com...
> while many people have been able to successfully upgrade to sp3, i've seen
> more than enough complains and issues created by the pack to make me think
> twice before downloading it.
>
> i dont want to lose my files, and i currently dont have a way to back up
> my
> hard drive.
>
> all im looking for is an honest to god yes or no on whether or not i
> should
> go ahead and update to sp3.
>
> so yes or no?
"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eOjXG1GxIHA.2360@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Chris wrote:
>> while many people have been able to successfully upgrade to sp3,
>> i've seen more than enough complains and issues created by
>> the pack to make me think twice before downloading it.
>>
>> i dont want to lose my files, and i currently dont have a way to
>> back up my hard drive.
...
Then you're living very, very dangerously. There are so many ways,
such as via a DVD-writing drive or to a removable drive connected
via USB, to back up that it's hard to believe none of them are
available to you.
Install, do anything or have anything on a hard drive without backups is
FRIGHTENING. Please do some type of backup before you have to hear "I told
you so"
"Anthony Buckland" <anthonybucklandnospam@telus.net> wrote in message
news:OcW6k2oxIHA.420@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:eOjXG1GxIHA.2360@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Chris wrote:
>>> while many people have been able to successfully upgrade to sp3,
>>> i've seen more than enough complains and issues created by
>>> the pack to make me think twice before downloading it.
>>>
>>> i dont want to lose my files, and i currently dont have a way to
>>> back up my hard drive.
> ...
>
>
> Then you're living very, very dangerously. There are so many ways,
> such as via a DVD-writing drive or to a removable drive connected
> via USB, to back up that it's hard to believe none of them are
> available to you.
>
Re: is sp3 safe yet? 
CB3E818-FA36-41ED-A3BA-ACC3EAA9EE26@microsoft.com...
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