SP 3

I'm recovering from a total reinstall of win xp Pro. I have all the updates from MS. Now they want to install sp 3. Should I install sp 3 or stay at sp 2. Thanks.

Hi and welcome to the WTT forums. To be fully protected you need to install SP3..this will also enable you to receive further updates from Microsoft….(that would not be available to you if you stick at SP2… ( Machines with SP2 level are no longer supported by Microsoft for "Updates") Regards paws

Yes.

While SP3 includes all previous updates after SP2, it does also include a few additional updates that will not significantly influence your user experience but which represent important security and compatibility features.

The "minor" advancements include:

Network Access Protection compatibility. Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.

Product Key-less install option. As with Windows Vista, new XP with SP3 installs can proceed without entering a product key during Setup.

Kernel Mode Cryptographics Module. A new kernel module that "encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms," according to Microsoft.

"Black hole" router detection algorithm. XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets.

So why bother?
SP3, released in April 2008 is the final Service Pack of this operating system. (additional hot-fixes and critical security updates will continue )
Users of XP will find that Microsoft gradually advances the requirements of the XP Service Pack version, such that they do not fully support XP systems that have not been updated to the most recent Service Pack.
This alert is posted by Microsoft:

To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). For more information, refer to this Microsoft web page: Support is ending for some versions of Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389
_____________

A couple of notes:
It is not possible to update XP without any prior service pack, directly to SP3
Some users of XP will find that they can update to SP3 from XP SP1, but it is not recommended.
SP2 and SP3 are each available as downloads from Windows Updates.
It is possible to obtain an SP2 CD and an SP3 CD directly from Microsoft for ease of updating multiple systems, or if you are a frequent reformat-and-reinstall user.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bb794714.aspx

And it is possible to "slip-stream" the Service Packs with your original legitimate XP installation Media. http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/xp_sp3.asp

If you are one of the rare users of XP 64bit operating system, the Service Pack for 64bit systems follow the Windows 2003 (server system) and the latest SP in that sequence is SP2 (very different from XP SP3 32bit)

Rather than install it via Windows Update, download and save the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers . It's a .exe, so just double click it to start the install.

Thanks everyone. I did all of the updates from MS about a month ago because of the fading support. My system, however, seemed to become unstable. IE 8 wouldn't work and other stuff didn't seem to work right. Then I got into a malware problem and tried to deal with it myself instead of going right to the malware forum. Me dumb. Then I got into the reinstall with Acer e-recovery and that turned into a disaster. I'm up and running even though my backups are shacky. An external HD backup is on my list. Be nice if someone makes a HD backup system where I could use some of my old HD's that I have sitting around here. Is this the SP 3 update file that was referenced? "Windows XP-KB927891-v3-x86-E.." I see I have it in my download files. Thanks to everyone for your help. Johnny4

Hi Yes thats the correct file:
Tje Acer Recovery System is usually very good and takes only 15 mins or so to restore the computer to its "factory" condition, so you really must have had problems.

Once you get the computer up and running, installed and updated all your desirable programs and running fast and smooth then take a disc image, verify it, keep it safe on removable media, and in the event of trouble in the future that cannot be resolved in a timely or cost effective way by the normal means you can re-image your machine back to its "perfect "state in less time than it takes to walk the dog.
Acronis or Paragon or Ghost or similar products are good for this but usually cost…. for free disc imaging applications take a look here:
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml
Using old hard drives for extra storage is a good idea…. you can get an external drive caddy for a pound or two or a dollar or three on Ebay or considerably more at your local computer store!
A USB Desktop/laptop SATA/IDE connector wire and power supply will enable you to connect up practically any spare IDE or Sata drive you may have lying around…here again the wire/connector is very inexpensive.
Good luck and post back if you have any questions.
Regards
paws

Thanks everyone. I did all of the updates from MS about a month ago because of the fading support. My system, however, seemed to become unstable. IE 8 wouldn't work and other stuff didn't seem to work right. Then I got into a malware problem and tried to deal with it myself instead of going right to the malware forum. Me dumb. Then I got into the reinstall with Acer e-recovery and that turned into a disaster. I'm up and running even though my backups are shacky. An external HD backup is on my list. Be nice if someone makes a HD backup system where I could use some of my old HD's that I have sitting around here. Is this the SP 3 update file that was referenced? "Windows XP-KB927891-v3-x86-E.." I see I have it in my download files. Thanks to everyone for your help. Johnny4

Johnny4

Is this the SP 3 update file that was referenced? "Windows XP-KB927891-v3-x86-E.

The file you identify is an update to MSI (Windows Installer)
It is am important Update and should be installed, but it is not the entire XP SP3
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/deta…;displaylang=en

"After" installing the above MSI (Windows Installer) update, you can install XP SP3.
You can create an XP SP3 installation media CD from the downloadable ISO found from Microsoft:
Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File

Good catch Doug, Thanks. Regards paws

I had "automatic updates" set to level two. "Download but let me decide when to install." I had installed everything but the sp 3. (I don't have a clue what "net framwork" is!) I wanted to ask here before I did the sp 3. This evening, I opened the automatic updates and clicked on install. It ground away for awhile but seemed to go OK. A restart and check of programs and everything seems to be working. I assume I have the whole package. System info says "SP 3."

.net framework is included in the Windows Operating System as a foundation that is useful for various third-party application programs to run properly. For instance Quicken, QuickBooks, TurboTax, and the like. .net framework used to be a nightmare, but they have worked out the bugs fairly well. I do a large amount of work with QuickBooks. I never "see" .net framework in action, but I know it is in the background, doing its thing. Good work Johnny4, and good help from all the contributors here in this Thread.

Well, I installed sp 3 last night. When I booted the machine today, sure enough, here come all the updates from MS. Looks like over 20 to them. Net Framework again and lots of security updates. Thanks to all for your good help and advice. J4

You will find that there are more than 50 important updates to win XP post Sp3 installation.. and when you have installed all of them (with numerous reboots in between, as necessary) you will find there are even more to follow… however its important to persevere and keep your machine fully updated… and finally dont forget to make your disc image and after verifying it for accuracy keep it safe on removable media. Regards paws.