sp3 xp, should I update it, so many have problems?

XP Home says I should update to sp3.


With everyone (or most) seemingly having so many problems with it,
is it advisable?

Dispute your assertion, very few folks have had
issues installing SP3. So yes, install it.

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Bruce Leavitt" <> wrote in message news:%...
XP Home says I should update to sp3.


With everyone (or most) seemingly having so many problems with it,
is it advisable?

"Bruce Leavitt" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> XP Home says I should update to sp3.
>
>
> With everyone (or most) seemingly having so many problems with it,
> is it advisable?
>
>
Nearly every one who posts about SP3 does so because they are having
troubles.
It is however incorrect to believe that the quantity who do posts represent
more than a small percentage of the population of XP users.
I haven't installed it yet mainly because there is no pressing need to do
so. Before I do, I will make as certain as I can that my systems are
ready for such a massive update all at once.

Jim

Great post, Jim. Couldn't have put it any better myself. FWIW, have had
ZERO issues installing SP3 on 20 systems so far.
Proper pre-SP steps should be taken, though:

1) Run chkdsk
2) Check to see if the drive needs to be defragmented
3) Obtain the entire SP3 package available from the MS Download Center
or via the Microsoft Update Catalog
4) Create a folder on the root drive [the drive where WINDOWS is
installed to, usually C:\] and move the SP3 package to it
5) Disconnect the system from the net or network
6) Completely and TOTALLY disable the installed security software prior
to applying SP3
7) Apply SP3
8) Have some liquid 'refreshment' during the installation process
9) Post application of SP3:
a) Reenable the installed security software
b) Reconnect the system to the net or network
c) Run a defrag analysis to see if the drive needs defragmenting

Joy !


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


Jim wrote:

> "Bruce Leavitt" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>
>>XP Home says I should update to sp3.
>>
>>
>>With everyone (or most) seemingly having so many problems with it,
>>is it advisable?
>>
>>
>
> Nearly every one who posts about SP3 does so because they are having
> troubles.
> It is however incorrect to believe that the quantity who do posts represent
> more than a small percentage of the population of XP users.
> I haven't installed it yet mainly because there is no pressing need to do
> so. Before I do, I will make as certain as I can that my systems are
> ready for such a massive update all at once.
>
> Jim
>
>

Those who had no problems whatsoever (i.e., the vast majority of users)
don't tend to post to newsgroups & forums to tell others.

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3

WinXP-specific newsgroup: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Bruce Leavitt wrote:
> XP Home says I should update to sp3.
>
> With everyone (or most) seemingly having so many problems with it,
> is it advisable?

"sasha gottfried" <> wrote in message
news:. ..
> When you say create a folder for SP3 you mean that the package should be
> downloaded first, rather than going through the automatic update process?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> "MowGreen [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Great post, Jim. Couldn't have put it any better myself. FWIW, have had
>> ZERO issues installing SP3 on 20 systems so far.
>> Proper pre-SP steps should be taken, though:
>>
>> 1) Run chkdsk
>> 2) Check to see if the drive needs to be defragmented
>> 3) Obtain the entire SP3 package available from the MS Download Center or
>> via the Microsoft Update Catalog
>> 4) Create a folder on the root drive [the drive where WINDOWS is
>> installed to, usually C:\] and move the SP3 package to it
>> 5) Disconnect the system from the net or network
>> 6) Completely and TOTALLY disable the installed security software prior
>> to applying SP3
>> 7) Apply SP3
>> 8) Have some liquid 'refreshment' during the installation process
>> 9) Post application of SP3:
>> a) Reenable the installed security software
>> b) Reconnect the system to the net or network
>> c) Run a defrag analysis to see if the drive needs defragmenting
>>
>> Joy !
>>
>>
>> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
>> ===============
>> *-343-* FDNY
>> Never Forgotten
>> ===============
>>
>>
>> Jim wrote:
>>
>>> "Bruce Leavitt" <> wrote in message
>>> news:%...
>>>
>>>>XP Home says I should update to sp3.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>With everyone (or most) seemingly having so many problems with it,
>>>>is it advisable?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Nearly every one who posts about SP3 does so because they are having
>>> troubles.
>>> It is however incorrect to believe that the quantity who do posts
>>> represent more than a small percentage of the population of XP users.
>>> I haven't installed it yet mainly because there is no pressing need to
>>> do so. Before I do, I will make as certain as I can that my systems are
>>> ready for such a massive update all at once.
>>>
>>> Jim
>
>
He means that you should download the package and place it in a folder on
your drive. Do this instead of using automatic update.
You could also buy the SP3 update CD from MS. That is what I have done
because I have two of my own plus others to update.
I waited a whole year to install SP2. I might do the same with SP3.

Jim