Windows XP SP3

[nataraj48]

Is it worth upgrading Windows XP installed on DELL desktop to Windows XP SP3? I had to reinstall the software (to match original factory installation) after the monitor started to look different (Colors,screen resolution etc) after I started and cacelled the upgrade. There was a message indicating it could have system wide effects or resolve just one issue.
I also have another desktop which had Windows 98 SE installed initially. It was upgraded to Windows XP Home Edition. Does it require an upgrade to Windows XP SP3? I am very cautious about upgrading as it took me almost a day to install auxiliary software on my Dell PC.
Thanks for any useful suggestions.

 

[wahnula]

If you're worried, and it's an older install, you might want to hold off for a while. I've installed SP3 on several PCs, but they were all clean installs and went without issue. My home machines, which are older installs, I simply update them manually via Windows Update. Keep your Windows Updates current and you should be fine.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[wahnula]

Another item...when you're in WU, avoid the "hardware updates", specifically the graphics drivers. Go to the device manufacturer and download their latest driver updates, although if the hardware is working fine and you have no issues or don't push it (like serious gaming) then you can skip this step altogether. Sometimes the updated drivers offer new functionality, but many times this does not specifically benefit the average user.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[xit]

I have installed SP3 on several computers with no problems, but first make sure there are no problems going on like adware & spyware or viruses. Before installation I run Disk clean up & defragment the drive, then shut down any unnessary programs.

xit

 

[BadBigBen]

As the others said, I too had no problems with SP3...

and since you already have a NEW install go ahead and install SP3...

I also agree with Wahnula, about not using MS to update the drivers, I've had several installs go bad, due to the drivers being TOO new (e.g. SATA driver did not like the firmware on the SATA controller)...

Now MS will push SP3 to your installs, if you use the AutoUpdate function or update through the Microsoft update Website service...

bottom line you should be fine installing it...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[wahnula]

I also have another desktop which had Windows 98 SE installed initially. It was upgraded to Windows XP Home Edition. Does it require an upgrade to Windows XP SP3?

This is the one I was referring to. All SP3 is is an accumulation of critical updates since SP2:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is a free update for Windows XP. SP3 includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates, hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases.

If you de-select SP3 in Windows Update, you will still download critical updates, just not SP3. It does have its quirks, like disabling the ActiveX control for Remote Access in IE6 or IE7. It's easy to re-enable it, but until most of the quirks are documented and supported, I would wait for older installs. I'm a "play it safe" kind of guy.

And what the heck is out-of-band???

Does MS just like to mess with us???


Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[linney]

This summarizes some of the documented problems with SP3, most people do not have problems with the SP3 but some do.

Windows XP SP3 Cheat Sheet

http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2008/06/30/windows-xp-sp3-cheat-sheet/

 

[Glenn9999]

And what the heck is out-of-band???

I think what was meant is that there are a number of private hotfixes, not released to the public. Basically the "we know there is a problem, we think it's a big enough problem to fix it, but we don't think it's a big enough problem to public release it, so we'll only give it out if people call our tech support and ask" category. Basically what falls into that category is just the garden variety bugs that they find and fix, and not security updates or the ones they do think are important enough to public release.

A great example of this is the Windows Explorer file locking bug. It's something that they fixed, but didn't think was important enough to public release until SP3 was released.

----------
Measurement is not management.

 

[wahnula]

Thanks Glen. Do ya think they could have made that statement any more nebulous

So it must be these "out-of-band" updates that are causing the glitches. YLSNED.

Tony

Users helping Users...