Is XP SP3 Needed?

I just returned home after a couple months of being on the road and had a slew of auto updates. I downloaded all except SP3 which Windows update wants to install. If I'm completely updated except for the latter is it really necessary? What will it add?

If so, I've seen where I'm better off using the standalone, I assume off the MS page, or can I just download the auto update which is ready to install?

 

Its not really required, better stay off from sp3.

 

SP3 fixed quite a few security problems.

If you want a bulletproof installation, do it with the standalone installer. I've seen people failed and mess up the OS with the Windows Update installer, but I haven't seen someone failed with the standalone one yet. From experiences, installing a SP, no matter which version, it is always safer to do it with the standalone one.

 

Thanks, think I'll hold off for now.

 

No real reason to hold off, most people do not see issues and most people see a slight boost in speed aswell.

I have installed it on over 40 computers and still yet to hit an issue with SP3.

 

Installed it how, with the standalone or through windows update?

 

It doesn't matter how he did it, the fact is the standalone is a better/safer method. It's only a few hundred MBs of download. The only difference between Windows Update and standalone is that with standalone, you have all the files of SP3 available locally, but it doesn't mean it will install all of them. The problem with the WU installer is that sometimes it can miss a few things while checking your computer online or a few files got corrupted. With the standalone, none of that will happen, cause if the standalone installer is corrupted, you won't even able to run it in the first place. You can delete the installer once you installed SP3.

EDIT: Please don't get me wrong, not try to force you to install SP3, just telling you if you do install it, the standalone method is safer.

 

All right already. I'll download the standalone! Thanks...

 

Based on my terrible experience with SP3 (totally ruined my configuration), I would say stay away from it. I know that there are quite a few people who have had no trouble with it, but I really suggest that you be careful with it. If you choose to download it, make sure you back up your important files and set a restore point first.

 

Well, I downloaded and installed the standalone version. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

 

Service packs are there for a reason. There is no requirement that users must move to them, if the current performance is adequate and smooth. But there will be times when come new apps and drivers, that would pre-requisite certain service packs.

I have SP3 installed, zero issue.

cheers ...

 

I hope it works out better for you than it did for me. I don't believe that you'll have any issues. I believe that cases like mine are rare.

 

SP3 is a roll-up of fixes and patches of previous service packs and assorted hotfixes. It contains very limited new functionality. SP3's major usefulness is with places that still use XP and still put it on new computers. By having a slipstreamed XP SP3 installation disc, they save the hassle of years worth of Windows Updates.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en

 

According to your sig you have SP3 so I'm assuming you straightened it out. Any specifics I should watch out for or know about? When you say it "totally ruined your configuration" what did you mean?

 

Actually, I have not been able to straighten out my issues. I really should have just done the clean install of my system months ago like I had planned, but I use my Vista partition a lot more and I really just never felt like putting forth the effort to fix XP just yet. I may decide to do it sometime soon but not now.

I don't know if there are any specifics that I can mention to you, though. I'm still able to use XP, for the most part. There are just little things that it does now to limit my abilities that weren't happening before I installed SP3. Some people seem to believe that I'm having my problems because I installed it via automatic updates, so downloading the standalone was a good thing. See how it goes. Like I mentioned before, however, you should back up your important files and create a restore point.

 

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on things.

I've been doing a decent job of backing stuff up to two external HD's with Karen's Replicator for My Documents and Seagate DiscWizard for the OS, along with a restore point (which I may disable).

Edit: Just a thought, you may want to uninstall SP3 through add/remove and then download the standalone.

 

I've installed SP3 on quite a few machines at work, and no issues whatsoever. Back up your data, create a restore point, and you should have no worries.

 

if you can, slipstream sp3 and do a fresh install. i reformatted my machine with an nlited slipstreamed cd and performance has been great.

 

Yeah I've seen how others have done that. I'm all set now but I may try to slipstream sp3. Which brings up a noob to slipstream question, does that go on the reinstall CD from Dell or do you make an entire new one?

 

I did that and, surprisingly, the same problems existed. This whole situation has been perplexing, to say the least. Maybe one of these days when I have the time, I'll actually do the clean install.

 

SP3 hasn't been nice to me either...the first time I tried to install it I had issues w/ it. I think it failed or something..don't quite remember, but I never looked back. And the fact that it took so long to install...not worth it IMO...my Supervisor said he had issues as well with it and this is why we haven't released it to the computers at work.

I personally just run SP2 fully updated...works fine for me...at least ATM

 

Yes, if you don't mind the trouble, try to find a XP CD that already has SP3 integrated. It makes a difference in performance and stability between integrated and applied afterward.

I've never done it with the Dell disc before, you may want to post that in the Dell section.

 

SP3 has been no different than SP2 for me. Neither gave me trouble but I like rolling up all my hotfixes into one service pack, so I took SP3. It's nice not to see a whole list of hotfixes in Add/Remove Programs. It's also a godsend during clean installs.

 

I deployed SP3 over 1500+ machines and had yet to see problems.

 

I've used SP3 on various machines as well without any issues. It seems it is also a required update now from Windows Update website.

 

Incredible, I also work at a large company (Suncor) dominated by Windows and our IT department (over 400 individuals) refuses to do this update. Never heard of an IT dept doing a patch that quickly.

I have run into problems removing SP3, various problems incidental to potential.
I am not going to install it, no specific reason either, I just want to fair my chances without it -The starch shirted rebel in me.

 

I installed SP3 from a fresh install. I think that's the best and safest bet. Haven't had any problems with it.

 

What do you mean by "required?" Microsoft cannot and does not force a user to apply any service pack to the best of my knowledge.