Service Pack 3 is not bug free, so if I where you I'd hold off installing
for a while.
However if you want to byte the bullet then here are some things you should
know.
Preference is to download the Service Pack and not use Windows Update.
Read the articles below: It's a long list but it could save your bacon.
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/...7A-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/...ad-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/...a8-5e76-401f-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/...ce-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
Just some of the SP3 Issues:
(see the next to last entry in this list for more issues)
Windows XP SP3 Issues and Fixes Continued:
(Note: there is a section of this article devoted to System Restore points,
read it!)
http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2008/...p3-still-not-ready-news-flash-do-not-install/
After you create Windows XP Service Pack 3 slipstreamed media, your product
key is not accepted
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950722/en-us
XP SP3: Registry Corruption & Norton SymProtect:
Symptoms: After installing XP Service Pack 3,
Device Manger is empty; the Network Connections panel is empty;
there are no Network connection icons; and/or there is problematic
or no Wireless or Ethernet connectivity;
the Safely Remove Hardware icon no longer appears;
USB devices no longer function, including mice.
You may not have all of these symptoms, only some of them.
Solution:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33522&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
The Address toolbar no longer appears on the taskbar after you install
Windows XP Service Pack 3
Describes why the Address toolbar is no longer visible on the taskbar
A workaround (this is not a fix - the address bar is gone) for this missing
functionality is provided.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951448/en-us
Restore the Address Bar in Windows XP SP3:
http://blog.ryantadams.com/2008/05/08/restore-the-address-bar-in-windows-xp-sp3/
Note: I have not tried this as I'm still at SP2, so run at your own risk!
SP3-based computer loses wireless connectivity when it resumes from standby
or from hibernation,
or you receive an error message when you try to put the computer in standby
or in hibernation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951447/en-us
Device Manager and Network Connections may be blank after you install
Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953791/en-us
Device Manager may not show any devices and Network Connections may not
show any network connections after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953979/en-us
Changes to the 802.1X-based wired network connection settings in Windows XP
Service Pack 3
Describes that the AuthMode and SupplicantMode registry entries are no
longer used in
Windows XP Service Pack 3 for a 802.1X-based wired network connection.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949984/en-us
You cannot connect to an 802.1X wired network after you upgrade to Windows
XP Service Pack 3
Problem in which you cannot connect to an 802.1X wired network.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953650/en-us
Error messages when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3:
"Service Pack 3 installation did not complete" and "An internal error
occurred"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949384/en-us
Windows XP Service Pack 3 installation fails with an error message, and the
following error is logged in the service pack installation log: "8007F0F4 -
STATUS_PREREQUISITE_FAILED"
You must take one of the actions that are described in this article to
resolve this issue.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949388/en-us
The Authentication tab is missing in the properties dialog box of the wired
network adapter after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950725/en-us
Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3:
"Access is denied" or "Service Pack installation did not complete"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377/en-us
You do not have enough free disk space on %SystemDrive% to install Service
Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949385
Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3:
"Setup has detected that another update is in progress Please complete that
installation or removal and try again"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949381/en-us
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
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372
Error message during every restart after you install Windows XP Service Pack
3:
"The procedure entry point apsSearchInterface could not be located in the
dynamic link library wlanapi.dll"
Describes a situation in which you receive an error message every time that
you restart a Windows XP-based computer.
Specifically, this problem occurs after you install Windows XP Service Pack
3 (SP3).
A resolution is provided:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950720/en-us
Error message after you upgrade a computer that uses a processor other than
an Intel processor to Windows XP Service Pack 2 or to Windows XP Service
Pack 3: "STOP: 0x0000007E"
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=953356
This is the patch to fix the above issue "For non-Intel processors"
***Must be applied before installing SP3***
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A7-54D6-4C31-BDA3-EFD2F7E87A8C&displaylang=en
From: Jesper Johansson's blog
Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3?
(Affects AMD-based computers with OEM images, primarily HP Desktops)
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx
A blank desktop may appear when you log on to a Windows XP-based computer:
(Hotfix for SP2 and SP3)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948277/en-us
Event ID: 5603 occurs when you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1,
Windows XP Service Pack 2, or Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/915148/en-us
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update,
from Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Updates after
you repair a Windows XP installation
(This KB article may also solve SP3 Windows Update will not work problem)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Some third-party programs may experience a change in functionality after you
install Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947309
Problems occur after installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 or
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 with a Norton 2008 product installed:
Info and Fix:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/norton2008.nsf/docid/2008051623552079
The print operation fails, or partial pages are printed when you try to
print to a Citizen printer or to an Alps printer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;951822
Custom settings in the Oobeinfo.ini file are lost after you upgrade a
computer to Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953651/en-us
Windows Installer 4.5
(supports SP2 and SP3)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942288
The long list of things you don't want to know about Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/search...pack+3&catalog=LCID=1033&1033comm=1&spid=1173
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249/en-us
JS
