SP3 to install or not?
Classic 42
reports of SP3. What do you think?
Cheers.
Classic
nass
"Classic 42" wrote:
I Will wait Classic, it is causing a lot of trouble specially with some
software.
I will wait til xmas 0:).
VanguardLH
Do you have imaging software to save the exact state of your drive(s) so
you can restore them exactly back to that state if you don't like SP-3?
Hula Baloo
know! :-) Seriously it works just fine on the 26 machines I've
installed it on. I saw where one of the MVPs said he'd installed it on
close to 1000 PCs and they're all running fine. When MS is providing
free help & support, what have you got to lose?
Ken Blake, MVP
<carr...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Should I install SP3. PC seems to run ok without it, have heard negative
> reports of SP3. What do you think?
You should install SP3. In my view one should always keep up with the
latest critical updates and service packs for Windows.
Whenever everything new comes out, there are always some people with
problems. But in fact, the enormous majority of those who have
upgraded to SP3 have had no problems at all with it,
If you're reading about problems *here*, this where people come with
their problems, not with their successes. You get a very distorted
view of what's going on in the real world here; as someone once said,
"hang around a transmission shop and you will think that all cars have
transmission problems."
Most problems, by far, that people report here--whether or not they
are SP3-related--have nothing to do with defects in the software. They
result from people's ignorance, from bad or inadequate hardware, from
old drivers, from viruses, from spyware, and so on. And except for
very rare situations, they always get a fix for their problems, and in
most cases, that fix is a very simple one to implement.
But read here first: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Shenan Stanley
> Should I install SP3. PC seems to run ok without it, have heard
> negative reports of SP3. What do you think?
nass wrote:
> I Will wait Classic, it is causing a lot of trouble specially with
> some software. I will wait til xmas 0:).
Which is just waiting - to wait... ;-)
Windows XP SP3 is Windows XP SP3 and will be the same Windows XP SP3 in
Christmas 2009 as it is during Christmas 2008 as it was today.
I will give advice on SP3 installation and the things to do to make sure it
goes smoothly other places in this conversation. I have had many people
report back to me that they read through everything I posted in that answer
and followed it where applicable and they now have SP3 installed and have
had no issues.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Shenan Stanley
> Should I install SP3. PC seems to run ok without it, have heard
> negative reports of SP3. What do you think?
Prepare (doing many things you should be doing periodically anyway) and
install Windows XP SP3.
A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131
Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals
and Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en
WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.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/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/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/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-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/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx
. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/09/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_crashes/
.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=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
Some people have gotten an "Access Denied" message when trying to install
SP3... Method 3 of this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
Beyond that - some simple maintenance might be needed - like installing the
latest hardware drivers from your hardware vendors...
Unknown
I plan to hold off installing SP3 for a while.
Also if I where to install SP3 I would choose to download the
file and not use Automatic Updates.
I would also create an"Image Backup" of my drive prior
to installing SP3 just in case you do have problems.
Don't have any Image Backup software:
Try "True Image" (has a 15 day trial version available)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/
How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389
How to prevent SP3 from being installed on your PC
(Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D7C9A07A-5267-4BD6-87D0-E2A72099EDB7&displaylang=en
(Works for 1 year from date SP3 was released)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68c48dad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en
Be sure to download and read the file titled 'Overview of Windows XP Service
Pack 3'
Note: "You can run the SP3 update package on any edition of Windows XP SP1
or SP2."
The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Discusses the hard disk space requirements for installing Windows XP Service
Pack 3 (SP3)
(For a PC on which Windows XP is already installed)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311/en-us
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx
Release notes for the Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929/en-us
List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Recommends steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Also includes troubleshooting information.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/en-us
Post Installation Cleanup:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827
How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack
3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/en-us
Free unlimited installation and compatibility support
(Via Email, Chat or Phone support)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131
Install SP3 in 'Clean Boot' mode:
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Where to download SP3
SP3 file download:
(File is large but will only install components that you PC requires)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en
ISO image - used to create install CD:
(You must have CD burning software that can use an ISO as source)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en
Availability of the .NET Framework 1.0 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix
Describes the .NET Framework 1.0 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix rollup package
for the Mscorwks.dll, Mscorsvr.dll, and Mscorlib.dll files.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896061/en-us
JS
"Classic 42" <carr...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:04-dnUXdrI_3NObV...@bt.com...
Phillip Pi
to use SP3.
On 7/14/2008 12:29 PM PT, Classic 42 wrote:
> Should I install SP3. PC seems to run ok without it, have heard negative
> reports of SP3. What do you think?
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phill...@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.
Shenan Stanley
> Should I install SP3. PC seems to run ok without it, have heard
> negative reports of SP3. What do you think?
Phillip Pi wrote:
> If you are fine with SP2, stick with it until MS or someone forces
> you to use SP3.
Why? Do you have any reasoning behind your given 'solution'? Or is this
just the 'don't fix what isn't broken' way? (I have no problem with that -
there is absolutely nothing wrong with that advice in the short run -
especially in a field such as computing.)
As for 'forcing' - no one will ever force someone to run a particular OS or
service pack for an OS. There is a choice - perhaps it is a difficult one
(you either have something that allows you to run the software you need to
run your business or you find a new business or different software or
starve, etc) - but there is still a choice.
Installed MANY times over SP3 on many different machines - only had one or
two issues and with those - the fix was simple and straight-forward and the
installatrion was done and has been working well ever since.
It is up to the OP what they do - but they should know the entire story and
not just one side.
- The choice is theirs.
- If you base the 'negative reports' vs. the 'successful installs' on just
these "come here for help with WIndows Updates" newsgroups - that's not
wise. It's like judging the health of a city by hanging out in the
emergency room of one of its hospitals.
- Sooner or later, they *will* have to update to SP3 if they wish to
continue receiving the latest updates until Windows XP's End-of-Life in
2014.
- Until April 2009 - there is free support for SP3 related problems from
Microsoft. Targetted and free support. After that date - that support will
not be targetted/free.
Given nothing but the latter two - the wise thing to do is to update at
least before April of 2009. Given that the bad reports are probably far
outweighed by the silence of the non-issues - it's probably best to do it
sooner than later - but to properly prepare for it; IMHO.
So - in that light and in hopes to get the information out there as much as
possible so that people looking for it might find it and their upgrade will
go smoothly because of a little forethought - here is some tips for Windows
XP SP3 installation...
Prepare (doing many things you should be doing periodically anyway) and
install Windows XP SP3.
A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131
Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals
and Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en
WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Classic 42
"Shenan Stanley" <newsh...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23lXPY7g...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>query. Gosh! I did not think that such a simple question would engender
>such a response. I am amazed at your expertise. Yes I do have TruImage and
>an external hard drive on which to 'clone' my hard drive. After reading all
>the information I will install SP3 but after I have cloned my hard drive so
>that if anything goes wrong I can always revert.
Thank you all again
Classic
Broooz
This one seems odd to me - surely most people will have IE v7 installed
apart from the more sophisticated users. Why did MS create SP3 in such a
way that users were forced to uninstall IE manually - something that many
would not or could not do.
Is it really necessary to uninstall IE v7 first?
Shenan Stanley
Entire conversation can be found:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support/browse_frm/thread/d12392dab2d142f6/5358894633a0d5df#5358894633a0d5df
Shenan Stanley wrote:
<snipped>
> 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."
<snipped>
Broooz wrote:
> This one seems odd to me - surely most people will have IE v7
> installed apart from the more sophisticated users. Why did MS
> create SP3 in such a way that users were forced to uninstall IE
> manually - something that many would not or could not do.
>
> Is it really necessary to uninstall IE v7 first?
Where did you get that it was *necessary*?
Please read more carefully...
"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."
What it tells you is that *if* you have upgraded from Internet Explorer 6 to
Internet Explorer 7 and install Windows XP SP3 - your option to roll-back to
Internet Explorer 6 is gone. If you do not plan to ever do this (roll-back
to Internet Explorer 6) - then uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 before
upgrading is not needed.
Scenario(s):
- You have Internet Explorer 7 and want to install Windows XP SP3 - but want
to retain the ability to uninstall Internet Explorer 7 and utilize Internet
Explorer 6 again - then you must uninstall Internet Explorer 7 and revert
back to Internet Explorer 6 before installing Windows XP SP3. After
installing Windows XP SP3 - you can install Internet Explorer 7 again, if
you wish to, and at any time - revert back to Internet Explorer 6 merely by
uninstalling Internet Explorer 7.
- You have Internet Explorer 8 (BETA) and you don't want to be stuck with
the BETA 'forever' *and* you wish to install Windows XP SP3. You should
uninstall Internet Explorer 8 (BETA) - reverting back to whatever version
you were running prior to installing Internet Explorer 8 (BETA) before
installing Windows XP SP3. If you were running Internet Explorer 7 prior to
installing Internet Explorer 8 (BETA) and you think you might actually
consider going all the way back to Internet Explorer 6 at some point in the
future - you should look over the first scenario.
Make sense?
Broooz
> <snipped>
>> Is it really necessary to uninstall IE v7 first?
>
> Where did you get that it was *necessary*?
> Please read more carefully...
>
> to Internet Explorer 7 and install Windows XP SP3 - your option to
> roll-back to Internet Explorer 6 is gone. If you do not plan to ever do
> this (roll-back to Internet Explorer 6) - then uninstalling Internet
> Explorer 7 before upgrading is not needed.
>
I see - yes, perfect sense thank you very much. I did not think of wanting
to go back to IE6 so I couldn't understand at all!