Re: SP 3 for XP: To upgrade or not to upgrade?

lernme wrote:
> I am running XP SP2 with all the normal updates installed except I
> have never upgraded to SP 3 because of all the negative issues I
> have seen ever since it came out. I have a Dell, not an AMD
> processor.
>
> I am considering doing it before the tech support runs out on XP ( I
> think I am correct in that??).
>
> My question is: Are there still alot of problems with this update?
> What's the probability that I will run into problems? Thanks in
> advance for any input.

There was not 'a lot of problems with the update' (in reference to Windows
XP SP3.) There were machines that had issues applying it because of
existing problems.

As for the probability of *you* running into issues - who knows? I've
installed Windows XP SP3 onto thousands upon thousands of machines by now -
I may have ran into issues on a dozen or so machines - and for the majority
of those, my bad.

With proper preparation - you are unlikely to have problems - and if you
have been performing proper maintenance all along - even if you do - you are
only out a short period of time (restoring from the backup/drive image you
made wisely before diving in...)

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

Suggestions:

1) Download the full SP3 installation file and/or burn the ISO download to
CD.
2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by doing a full
scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes.
3) CHKDSK
4) Defragment
5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)
6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically.)
8) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3.

Some (if not all) of that is covered in the above links.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html