is XP SP3 safe to download now?

hi, windows update just inform me that the XP SP3 is available for download. is it safe to download it now? or should i wait - if so, until when?

thanks

 

its fine to download it now. its the final release, and my install went perfectly. if you are using an intel mac, be sure to download the bootcamp 2.1 driver set before install xp sp3. (you can get it off of apple software update, its about 250 MB)

 

Yes, it should be just fine. The stopped it earlier due to a conflict with a business program (Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System) but later MS created a filter to stop it from installing on affected machines.

I'd download it.

 

Installing it right now straight from a clean installation of XP.

Just a note, the download will stall for quite a bit (5min at least). Just letting you know so you don't freak out.

 

when i first installed it i got bsod's =[
works now though

 

my one is not clean install.... i bougth it from OEM XP SP2. this is my desktop gaming machine... not apple.

 

I finally decided to plunge in the SP3 pool and get wet with bits, and it's working just fine, I was very apprehensive though and it was quite an scary thing to do.

 

i did and im loving every minute of it im using it on my community machine ( the one i let every one use) and the difference btw it and sp1 is outstanding (faster boot time, program start up and load time) dell's 600m is loving it ... i just had to get the drivers from dell for the nic and i cant complain... my roommates acer however is not liking it too much i keep crashing... (wont even get past windows loading screen) but thats another thread im waiting for replies from....

 

I think is fair to say that more cumbersome is your computer, more likely you'll encounter issues.

 

Um ok...is anyone else unable to update to IE7 using Windows Update after installing SP3 first?

 

That's my next step too.

 

I installed it last night. Apparently, no issues so far.

 

It seems I can't download any Windows Update after SP3...

 

Isn`t SP3 with ALL of the updates included?

 

Is there any update after SP3, or you are having problems with the upate function?

 

AFAIK if you download the M$ recommended SP3 from Windows Update you need to have SP2 installed for it to work. This way the download is about 70Mb.

I downloaded the Stand Alone SP3 which is about 316Mb. I stand(pun) under correction but I think Stand Alone version has the whole lot: SP1, SP2, SP3 in one package.

And so far, it has no issues. Slower boot yes, but I have not cleaned out all unecessary stuff. Just want to make sure all is OK first.

Cheers,
Theo

 

I think the standalone is that big since it has all the languages inside yet.
70 Mb is about right,from what I've seen.

 

Only hotfixes. It doesn't include updates like IE7 and WMP11. I was trying to download IE7.

Yup. All I did was install Windows XP w/ SP2 and then went straight to WU for SP3. SP3 installed fine. Then I went back to install IE7, but it keeps failing the install.

 

I am not sure about the language thing. What I am sure of though is that everytime I have reformatted in the past (with SP2 on my computer), the different updates to bring SP2 to current took ages. As far as I can remember, the downloads were way above the 70Mb mark. And that was only SP2 to latest hotfixes etc.

Thats why I think SP3 @70Mb requires SP2 to be up to date. Hell who knows?

Nobody seems to know. Yet.

Cheers,
Theo

 

Well,it doesn`t really matter.
Funny, I thought I would notice an increase in something. But...nothing.It`s pretty much SP2 with a 3 on the end...

 

See if this will help;

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917925

 

Thanks a bunch Wirelessman, but no go. I think that article addresses the standalone IE7 installer instead of the Windows Update one.

Has anybody successfully downloaded an update from WU since installing SP3?

 

i have. there was a security update for ie7.

 

Downloaded and installed it 2 days ago and I havn't had any problems at all.

Seems safe to me.

 

I haven't dl IE7 yet, but isn't IE8 coming up as well?

 

I wouldn't hold my breath; it's going to be awhile for the release of IE8. Beta1 was released back in March.

 

Windows Update worked for me but it was one of a minority. I will not be putting SP3 on any other machines: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=247312

Maybe if someone was clean installing but otherwise big risk far as I can see.

 

I hope IE8 won't look too much like FF and neither like IE7, it's about time they make a better look and strong featured browser.

 

Yep it's safe, although I downloaded the SP3 300ishMB installer. I installed it 2 days ago on my laptop and it works fine

 

Hi my country and city man!

 

thanks for all the feedback guys!

after reading this thread i was a bit reluctant now on upgrading...

do i need to reinstall my drivers or any other program/software that i have installed, after performing the updates?

 

I updated fine...SP3 shows no noticeable difference from SP2. The file size is 66.9MB in WU if you're upgrading from SP2. I just had to install IE7 and WMP11 before SP3.

Absolutely no problems for me.

 

installed using the downloadable 300mb file. No problems what so ever.

 

This Microsoft page states:

I interpret that as meaning that it (meaning the full downloadable installer) includes SP1 and SP2. Windows Update will only download the incremental changes needed to bring an existing installation up to SP3 standard.

John

PS: I've just spotted this at The Inquirer. It seems SP3 and AMD hardware don't get on very well.

 

There should be an error code associated with a failed Windows update.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

 

It`s the first time in a very long one when I`m glad I`m on Intel`s side.
So far, SP3 hasn`t done anything bad to my system.It better stay that way.

 

Agreed. I upgraded three systems, one XP home using the large 300+ file, and two - 1 XP MCE and 1 XP Pro - using the microsoft update website. First boot after installation was a little slow, but after that, no perceptible difference.

 

Exactly. Not even 1 fps increase in games. Or file transfers.Or bootup.
Darn it.
What is SP3 for anyway?

 

My bootup is 10 times faster with SP3.

 

Now dude, what have I told you about getting high ?

 

Share it with others?

 

Ok, 9 times faster

 

See? I`ve made an honest man outta ya, lol.

 

I've only tried in a virtual machine, but yes. I got an error when I tried to download an IE7 update.
On the other hand, if I downloaded the same update as a standalone download, it installed fine.

Just all existing hotfixes and updates rolled up. So for existing installations, there's not much to be gained from it. For new installations, it saves you a few hours of updating.

 

Just to have all the hotfixes and updates rolled into one easy to install package is awesome enough.

 

Agreed. Although these updates were probably on my system already,nah?

 

Couple of days and still working properly. And, again, it boots in seconds, I don't even touch the power button and the display already shows the desktop

 

Seriousely dood,lay off the pot. Everything is too fast for you lol.
There is no way your IFL90 boots in seconds.Unless it`s over 40 seconds

 

Oh, I was not talking of my IFL90, my XP machine is an Hypersonic AMD based 17" screen laptop.

I didn't know that dude was also used in Europe!

 

You'll be thankful for SP3 when you gotta' do a clean install.