WinXP SP3 RC2 (Release Candidate 2) - Now available

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 2 via Windows Update



Yup, still alive and kicking.
(Vista still has competition from this supposed aging OS)

SP3 Release Candidate 2 - release notes

Download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...b1-b969a62c68a7&DisplayLang=en#AdditionalInfo

Brief Description
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 2 is available to the public. Specific registry settings will allow you to be offered SP3 via Windows Update.

Overview
Microsoft is allowing Windows XP Service Pack 2 machines to be offered Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 2 via Windows Update. Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be offered on Windows Update when Service Pack 3 releases in the first half of 2008.

System Requirements
* Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Service Pack 2

Instructions
Download the script and run it on a machine currently running Windows XP Service Pack 2. The script sets a registry key on your system. The registry key is required for Windows Update to recognize your machine as a valid target for Windows XP Service Pack 3 RC2.

Versions of Windows XP Service Pack 3 prior to Release Candidate 2 should be removed before attempting to use the registry key. Windows Update will not offer Release Candidate 2 to machines with previous versions of the Windows XP Service Pack 3 beta.

It is recommended that you apply the resulting update package to an activated, genuine copy of Windows XP, in a test environment. As with any pre-release software, it is also recommended that you back up files and settings on your machine before applying this update package.


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Additional Info
"The script sets a registry key on your system. The registry key is required for Windows Update to recognize your machine as a valid target for Windows XP Service Pack 3 RC2," states Microsoft. "It is recommended that you apply the resulting update package to an activated, genuine copy of Windows XP, in a test environment."

Users are also asked to remove any previous beta or release candidate versions of SP3 before proceeding with the latest update.

Some of the new functionality included with SP3 include Black hole router detection, Network Access Protection, Credentials security service provider and the Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module.

Microsoft says that the RTM version of Service Pack 3 will be available during the first half of 2008. If all goes well with RC2 testing, we should see the final code shortly.

Game On People,
-Gophn

 

Thanks for the heads-up! It might be time to update my old desktop with SP3...

 

Thanks for the info.

 

This RC2 seems the same to the RC1... maybe there are some bugs fixed.. but I dont notice it.

In any case, SP3 its definitely recommended by me when its officially released... its so much faster and optimized than SP2... and Vista (with its SP1).

We need DX10 to XP, and I'll give away my Vista Ultimate.

 

That's not evolution, it's more of a fix for an old OS .

 

from SP2 to SP3...

seriously.. from my benchmarks (as well as the numerous ones online):
- its like XP to Vista (32-bit) in performance and stability.

The kernel is definitely upgraded to that of Vista's.

 

No, they just applied the hundreds of hotfixes from SP2 -> now.

 

I'm definitely looking forward to the final release. Thanks for the update Gophn! Make sure to tell us when the Final is released.

 

Probably in Q2.

 

Anyone has a link to download the actual file? instea of that small installer that microsoft offers? coz when i run the small installed the screen flashes a dos windows then exits......nothing happens.......

 

the smaller file is the only thing available at the moment... to get you Windows Update to download the SP3 RC2.

lemme see if I can get a direct link for you.

 

Thank you dude. Waiting

 

I think these should be it.

Microsoft release here (38kb):
Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 2
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Windows XP RC2 Build 3311 full download here (315mb).

Download:
Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 2 RC2 (link 1)

 

Final release will be before the end of June 2008.

 

Thanks alot dude!

Rep point added

 

Does anyone know how long Microsoft is going to continue supporting XP?

PS: I've read that SP3 improves gaming performance by some 10 percent. If true that's quite amazing.

 

They'll keep supporting it until like 2009 or something.

 

So how does overall System stability and performance (snappiness) feel with this service pack compared to sp2 ? Is it like a "wow" effect from vista to vista sp1? because that is major.

 

I think everyone should take the placebo effect into consideration...
PS: Build number is 3311 according to a site.

 

does this SP3 support AHCI and multi-CPU score?
How do you check it?
Thanks.

 

What's multi-CPU? Two CPUs on the same board or what? Full SMP support?

 

I mean have the ability to support the Core 2 duo or Quad core.
I think u have to do something for the OS to take all the advantage of 2 cores. get it fade?

 

Wow! I thought Vista WAS XP SP3.

 

haquocdung, no, I think you need to get it. XP supports dual core and quad core CPUs from the RTM version onwards.
There was a patch to balance the load between CPUs (released after SP2), but that's included now.

 

Has anyone tried this on a G1S?

 

Has anyone tried to install sp3 from microsofts windows update with the update from MS themself?

I installed the one linked to in here and stuf started to go wrong... windows update failed to install all updates, soundcard drivers couldnt recognize my hardware... after uninstalling sp3 everything worked again.

Maybe its just best to test sp3 on a fully installed winxp?

 

For those who are having problem with sound in SP3:

#1 Check if you got an extra unknown PCI device in your hardware/device manager, if you do, proceed to the next step
#2 If you do have an extra PCI device then download this http://rapidshare.com/files/8502054...cture_High_Definition_Audio_AddOn_1.0.7z.html
#3 Use the update driver function on the unknown PCI device and update it with the driver that you downloaded
#4 This should be it, reboot and enjoy your sound!

And for those of you who doubt the performance of SP3, I myself on my C2D @1.5Ghz only see the four blue dots passing ONCE before the screen goes black and the log on screen is shown (It boots fully to desktop in about three seconds for me from the Vista bootloader)

 

The boot time is irrelevant and has nothing to do with performance. It mostly depends on your HDD.