upgrading XP to the new service pack 3

[OR]

Is there any point in the above? My machine is AMD-based and from what I
have gathered from my searching on Internet, there are so many issues with
an SP 3 install that I am a bit reluctant to do so. Does it make my computer
any faster?
Anyboy willing to share their experience?
OR

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Is there any point in the above? My machine is AMD-based and from
what I have gathered from my searching on Internet, there are so
many issues with an SP 3 install that I am a bit reluctant to do
so. Does it make my computer any faster?
Anyboy willing to share their experience?

Works great - over a thousand installs.

If you prepare properly - worst case you are restoring to your backup and
contacting Microsoft for help. Best case - everything works.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is there any point in the above?

In my view, it is *always* prudent to stay current with the latest
updates to the operating system you are using.

My machine is AMD-based and from what I
have gathered from my searching on Internet, there are so many issues with
an SP 3 install

Whenever a new version of *anything* comes out, you always read about
"so many issues." But realize two things:

1. 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."

2. 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.

that I am a bit reluctant to do so. Does it make my computer
any faster?

No. A Service Pack will almost never make your computer any faster. A
Service Pack is basically a roll-up of fixes previously issued
separately, and sometimes contains some additional fixes.

Anyboy willing to share their experience?

I've installed it on several machines, and have had *no* problems as a
result.

Here are some good links to read before you install it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33296

http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

 

[JS]

Most people have not had problems but there are some that do.
Also if I where to install SP3 I would choose to download the
file and not use Automatic Updates.

Below are some things to read and or do to make your
experience installing SP3 go smoothly.

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/...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

Internet Explorer: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"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: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"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."

XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup:
http://www.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

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Forum:
(Post your issues here)
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17

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 your 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

JS
www.pagestart.com

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Is there any point in the above? My machine is AMD-based and from
what I have gathered from my searching on Internet, there are so
many issues with an SP 3 install that I am a bit reluctant to do
so. Does it make my computer any faster?
Anyboy willing to share their experience?

Works great - over a thousand installs.

If you prepare properly - worst case you are restoring to your
backup and contacting Microsoft for help. Best case - everything
works.

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/...ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals
and Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-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/jes...ed-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/jes...ed-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...

 

[Big_Al]

Is there any point in the above? My machine is AMD-based and from what I
have gathered from my searching on Internet, there are so many issues with
an SP 3 install that I am a bit reluctant to do so. Does it make my computer
any faster?
Anyboy willing to share their experience?
OR

I have one AMD machine and finally upgraded today. I too heard the
war stories of AMD, but to refresh our memories, its a problem with AMD
and OEM software, IIRC. So its not all AMD machines effected.