Windows XP Service Pack 3 or Not

My evaluation copy of Windows 7 will expire on or about March 1st and while I enjoyed playing with it, but am not willing to buy a retail version of it. I got a set of restore disks for my CF-28 and loaded it onto the computer. So far I have updated it to Service Pack 2 and am wondering what is the prevalent thinking about updating Windows XP to Service Pack 3 considering processor and ram limitations of a CF-28 Mk-2. Right now I have automatic update turned off and am not using Internet Explorer.

 

Im not so sure theres truly any negatives to upgrading, I always run SP3 and all the latest updates, never had any issues

 

Thanks, I do the same on all my other computers, but was just wondering since my CF-28, and CF-27 are my oldest computers.

 

Lately I've been stopping at SP2 for CF-28 and older models.

I have a company computer that they never authorized stepping up to SP3. It has been running SP2 for years. I did upgrade to IE8 when that came out, but still at SP2. Never had any issues with it.

 

I would upgrade it for sure man! SP3 has been out for a LONG time now - It's VERY reliable!

 

I'm running SP3 on my CF-28 MKII .
No problems at all.

Bob

 

OKAY Rob... you seem VERY enthusiastic about SP3... WHY?

What does it give you that is a REAL, TANGIBLE improvement ove SP2?

And before you say it, "improved security" (or words to that effect) doesn't count... it's just a worn-out buzzword. If you don't use Internet Exploder, you don't NEED to be constantly patching it.

What REAL improvement does SP3 give you?

mnem<~~~ NOT impressed ~~~<<<

 

~Rob - To tired to give a response to mnem's comment~

 

If your cf-28 survived w7 why would it not run fine on xpsp3

When you are running sp2 check the performance tab in task manager and make a note of ram and processor usage, and compare usage after the sp3 update


Alex

 

I would do SP3. Are the security fixes and updates worthwhile? I can not honestly say, even Microsoft does not know all the details of their own code. I have never seen a big slowdown of a system after going to SP3.

Unlike with W2K...

 

That is true, I just wanted to ask the opinions of people who are a lot smarter and more experienced than I am.

 

eh, I run it on a MK1 CF28 doesn't seem to hurt, might do some good. I think as long as you are running over 600mhz there should not be a performance hit. Hell I run it on a PII 400mhz along with antimalware bytes and avast not the fastest setup, but fine for surfing email etc,

 

Running SP2 while running IE8 seems like it's bassackwards to me... I go SP3 with ONLY IE7.... And let the final customer decide what browser they want to intall. Of course I install a lot of other anti-virus/firewall programs.

 

You know this is exactly how I have been setting them up lately! I think that IE8 is the buggiest, slowest, browser that M$ has come out with, ever! I am tried of seeing the little wheel spin and it never connect to the website! I think that I read it was a bug in the phishing feature.

 

I forgot to mention I only run Opera on these machines I don't even use Internet Exploder, lol.

 

I've had an occasional crash with IE8 but it doesnt really doesnt seem slow? I've been pretty happy with it overall, not enough to withold it from my installs anyways

 

IE6 is on my computers for 2 websites only. The Panasonic Toughbook Configurator and M$ for updates I chose to download like the Office 2007 to 2003 patch. It's been a long time since I have come across a site other than those which would not open in FF.
CAP

 

I did as Alex suggested and compared the before and after effects of service pack 3. I can't explain it but I got a small performance gain by going from SP2 to SP3. Here are the results with both versions at idle with no open applications:

Service Pack 2

Processes: 35
CPU Usage: 3% to 5%
Commit Charge: 341M / 1859M

Service Pack 3

Processes: 32
CPU Usage: 2% to 5%
Commit Charge: 273M / 1856M

 

I run opera as well and love it, it is much more configurable than Internet Explorer. I also only have IE7 installed as Rick and Cap suggested for those sites that will only work with Internet Explorer.

 

Looks fine
Any major changes I check before and after
Antivirus software for example


Alex

 

Hello Klonsdale,

This is a reminder post for all the Windows 7 users still using the Release Candidate (build 7100) that was released to the public in May 2009. Bi-hourly shutdowns of this build began on March 1, 2010. This means that the user will be told to install a released version of Windows and their PC will shut down automatically every two hours. On June 1, 2010, if you are still on the Windows 7 RC, your license will expire and the non-genuine experience will be triggered. Your wallpaper will be removed and "This copy of Windows is not genuine" will be displayed in the lower right corner of your desktop, above the taskbar. Starting on February 15, 2010, Windows 7 RC should have started giving daily prompts to remind you about the expiration.
If you want to continue using Windows 7, we recommend moving over to the Windows 7 RTM (build 7600) that was released to the public in October 2009. Microsoft explained that this would happen when it gave out free copies of the beta (which has already expired) and RC builds, and you've had plenty of time to move over. If you haven't reinstalled a final copy of Windows, do so as soon as possible so as to avoid problems in the next few weeks.

To buy and to see prices:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/default.aspx

Thanks again,
John M.
Microsoft Windows Client Support

 

Thanks for the reminder, I have already reverted back to Windows XP Pro since I have the restore disks. I enjoyed trying out Windows 7 and I think it has a great future, however purchasing a legal version is not in the budget right now. However I did use the partition that Windows 7 created on my Transcend SSD to revert back to Windows XP and it really flys

Thanks
Keven

 

Keep in mind those with a student email account can now buy an update version of Win7 Pro for only $65. If you need to become a student, ask me via PM how.

 

Thanks Azrial,

I am a student at Auburn Montgomery, and my Department is paying for it, I am just not enrolled this semester, I just need to get off my butt and go back and finish.