install service pack 3?

i was wondering if anyone had any opinions on sp3 and if its worth installing and if theres any problems thanks

Hi Decipherfreak,

I have had good and bad experiences with SP3. On this computer, my PC it went like a dream, but on my Laptop it did not.

Both are fine now, but honestly I do not see one bit of difference after the installation on either computer, although the experts will tell us we need it to go forward with our OS's.

Steps to take before installing SP3

Some of what Google tells us

keep us posted what you decide to do and if you need assistance along the way.

kind regards,

agreed. If you have SP2 and you keep it updated, then there is no compelling reason to "fix" it. Tallon41

i was wondering if anyone had any opinions on sp3 and if its worth installing and if theres any problems

I do, yes it is, and for a "few".

although the experts will tell us we need it to go forward with our OS's.

There are a few who have said to hold off too, at least until MS stops supporting SP2 - which will end before too long.

agreed. If you have SP2 and you keep it updated, then there is no compelling reason to "fix" it.

Umm, I don't understand what you are agreeing too. Keeping it updated, or not updating it? Or that you have had good and bad luck when upgrading?

@ decipherfreak - IMO, the goal should not be to keep the outdated SP2 as long as you can. The goal should be to keep keep your family safe by keeping the computer updated and lasting as long as it can. Not moving to SP3 is not keeping the computer updated. Every XP user should be up to SP3 and IE7.

It does not matter that a few folks had problems - we must learn from their mistakes. Not upgrading is not learning, it is avoiding. And with badguys actively seeking out those that avoid keeping their systems updated, we have little choice in the matter. We cannot afford to let our systems get behind.

Every computer I upgraded went well because I made sure it was current and working fine otherwise before upgrading - especially HW drivers. Not all was totally painless, but for the most part, nothing difficult to resolve. That said, we can do everything right, and it still fails. Microsoft has fixed the most common causes they have control of.

I don't suggest immediately updating computers as soon as updates and patches come out. I never auto-install or update anything. I always wait a few days and listen for fall-out. and then, with currently 7 computers in the house, I start with the least critical and work my way up to Mrs. Digerati's.

SP3 has been out for 5 months - that's quite awhile to learn what to prepare for to ensure a painless upgrade.

If you have SP2, and you have kept it fully updated, then the move to SP3 "should" be totally painless, because, as Tallon41 suggests, SP2 is not really broken. It is just not current. It has been totally painless for 100s of millions of XP users! Those are pretty good odds. But just 1% of 100,000,000 is still a lot of zeros - and a million upset users can make a lot of noise. The key thing to remember is SP3 is not intended to fix a broken computer. So preparation is important. See MSKP Article 950717, Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.

I prefer to upgrade using the downloaded file, or the CD instead of Windows Update. That said most XP users upgrades with no issues using WU.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network - ISO-9660 CD Image File

Windows XP Service Pack 3 on CD - Asia

Windows XP Service Pack 3 on CD - Europe and Africa

Windows XP Service Pack 3 on CD - North America - cost about $10 with shipping.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 on CD - South America

Umm, I don't understand what you are agreeing too. Keeping it updated, or not updating it?

Not choosing to install SP3 DOES NOT equal not Updating. The VAST majority of SP3 are the 120+ updates between it and SP2. If you have kept SP2 current, then you mostly have SP3.

Until MS stops providing Security Updates to SP2 users, there is IMO no compelling reason to install it. Since that day is not here yet, then for the average user who read this….if it AIN'T broke, then don't FIX it.

This does not mean they WILL have issues, only that it isn't currently worth the hassle if there ARE issues after applying SP3.

Tallon41