Scarthy © ® ™ Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hi all ;),Now that Windows Vista service pack 1 has been released, all eyes have shifted to Microsoft's plans for Windows XP service pack 3, the final package of updates for the trusty OS. And, according to at least one source, Microsoft will roll out XP SP3 next Monday.As of Wednesday afternoon Pacific time, the BitTorrent search engine Mininova listed a 568.73 MB Windows XP Professional SP3 5503 file available for download. The file, which had 112 seeds and 417 leeches, had been downloaded 2083 times since it was posted Tuesday, according to the listing.According to the file description notes, Microsoft will release the final version of XP SP3 on March 24, but the 5503 test build passes all Windows Genuine Advantage checks and is able to download Windows updates that previous XP SP3 builds weren't able to, which suggests that it could, in fact, be the final RTM build.When Microsoft released Vista SP1 in February, the final RTM code was identical to the Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC) 1 Refresh 2 test build that was released to a group of 15,000 testers two weeks earlier.A Microsoft spokesperson, perhaps weary from the months-long barrage of Vista SP1 related inquiries, said the final version of XP SP3 is still on target to be released the first half of calendar year 2008, and the XP SP3 5503 build was a minor interim build released to address one specific issue for a subset of private beta testers."This build was not intended for public release, and anyone who has that build and is not part of the private beta is working with bits that Microsoft can't verify the integrity -- it's possible the bits may have been modified with malware or other bad code that Microsoft hasn't tested," the spokesperson said in an email.XP SP3 was originally slated for release in 2006, but Microsoft has delayed it on numerous occasions since launching XP SP2 in August 2004. In February, Microsoft released XP SP3 Release Candidate 2 through its Download Center to users running PCs with XP SP2 installed.Source - CRNKeeping my fingers crossed ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I hope that is not the final release, I downloaded it yesterday and it screwed my test computer up.I had to do a complete reinstall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 Can you give us some details how it "screwed up" your test system? What was the build number that you downloaded/installed?Did you do any preparations for the SP3 install?(Just curious, so that we can all be prepared for the long-awaited service pack.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarthy © ® ™ Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I am quite looking forward to it's release (you know what M$ are like so I am NOT counting my chickens just yet (chickens=easter!?!?!) :lol:) especially with the promise of a 10% performance gain that I have been reading around the web.You know when these SP's come out and you 'slipstream' them into your XP disc? Would slipstreaming just SP3 cover all of the updates - Or should one slipstream them all (1,2 and 3)? I am drawn towards just using SP3 and NOT SP1 & SP2, but just checking incase I am missing something? :)@ Alan2273 - M$ have had SP2 RC2 lately and I have seen a few versions about, claiming to be the final. I am waiting for the final to go live @ M$ before I download. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 The build number was SP3 RC2 v3331After installing it I lost my internet connection, so I assumed somehow it had messed up my ethernet drivers so i tried to uninstall them and half way through it froze.As this is a Nvidia chipset I downloaded the latest version of the drivers of the internet rather than using the motherboard CD, and found that whichever driver I tried to uninstall it would freeze half way through.So being clever I thought before it installed it set a restore point so I will take it back to before SP3, only to find it would not work on any restore point.Acronis came to the rescue, but how many more computers are going to have problems like this.All I can say is I am glad I did not put it on the wifes computer or I would have been in the doghouse.Looking aroud some of the forums it appears I am not the only one who has had problems.http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPo...7&SiteID=17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarthy © ® ™ Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 nVidia chipset! Oh joy...:( I remember the last time I reformatted and what an absolute "load of trouble" I had with my nforce2 mobo and drivers etc) - I am considering a new rig (if I can muster the £££). We will see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I will, as I usually do, wait a few days/weeks/months before I install this. I've been caught by MS "improvements" in the past which resulted in snail like performance and eventual giving up the ghost completely.. I'm sure a short wait of a few weeks longer than the four or five years I've already been using WXP before I install this will not make much difference and I can wait to find out other people's views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I will, as I usually do, wait a few days/weeks/months before I install this. I've been caught by MS "improvements" in the past which resulted in snail like performance and eventual giving up the ghost completely.. I'm sure a short wait of a few weeks longer than the four or five years I've already been using WXP before I install this will not make much difference and I can wait to find out other people's views.I whole heartedly agree -pops-.Do you think it will come through in Automatic Updates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I will, as I usually do, wait a few days/weeks/months before I install this. I've been caught by MS "improvements" in the past which resulted in snail like performance and eventual giving up the ghost completely.. I'm sure a short wait of a few weeks longer than the four or five years I've already been using WXP before I install this will not make much difference and I can wait to find out other people's views.I whole heartedly agree -pops-.Do you think it will come through in Automatic Updates?I never allow automatic updates. My setting alert me when updates are available and I do not even then click onto the little shield. I visit the Windows update page and view the available updates and decide what I want and what I don't want. I will probably do a fresh Acronis update and try SP3 sooner rather than later. I can then revert to pre SP3 is there is any bother. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 My updating setup is the same as andsome. I let it tell me they are available but it is me and me alone who allows them to download - whether that is MS or anyone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 So, if I choose download updates, but let me choose when to install them.... ...That would be the appropriate option to prevent an automatic installation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 So, if I choose download updates, but let me choose when to install them.... ...That would be the appropriate option to prevent an automatic installation?Not really as you will then have downloaded them whether you want them or not I prefer the option 'Notify me but don't automatically download or install them' and that's how I've set mine up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I agree, why clutter the computer with unwanted things. For one thing, I never install anything to do with burning C.D's. I cannot get on with the Windows facilities for this task, so just mark these and any other irrelevant ones NOT to be notified again. This facility is there for you to use. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I prefer the option 'Notify me but don't automatically download or install themMy only concern if I were choosing which updates to install, is that I would inadvertently omit an important one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Add all security updates, and choose NOT to install updates that you do not need, such as in my case CD burning updates. You will need most of the updates. If in doubt, install it. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'll be glad to get this, although I choose which ones to install, because there's now a massive list in programmes and afterwards it should be all over-ridden by SP3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 5 P.M. now and no sign of it. Everything backed up to Acronis ready to try this update out. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarthy © ® ™ Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Just come across this read concerning SP3 RTM.Windows XP SP3 RTM Schedule & Updates!After we broke the story on the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, we now have updated news and more details of the long-awaited Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Microsoft has also made some changes to when and how Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be released. Here are the details... 1. Windows XP Service Pack 3 will contain hotfixes and updates released since Windows XP SP2. It will also include an expanded set of product keys for Windows XP Professional that were originally introduced in Windows XP SP2c. 2. Microsoft clarified that there will not be any integrated SP3 release for Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows XP Tablet Edition. That means you won't be able to buy or obtain a complete Windows XP Media Center Edition / Tablet Edition SP3 CD. In addition, users of Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows XP Tablet Edition will only be able to update to Service Pack 3 through Windows Update. 3. All languages will now be released in two waves. Earlier, Microsoft said that languages support for Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be released in three waves. What was previously identified as wave 2 and 3 have now been combined into a single wave 2. 4. Microsoft has also delayed RTM for Windows XP Service Pack 3 to provide sufficient time to incorporate feedback from the beta testers. (In other words, they can't make their original deadline!)Due to the changes in language releases and Windows XP SP3 RTM's release, here's the updated schedule* Wave1 Will be released Second half of April 2008 (Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish)* Wave2 Approximately 21 days after Wave 1 RTM (which will have remaining languages)With the exception of Windows XP Media Center Edition and Windows XP Tablet Edition, Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be released in both standalone and integrated formats. It will be available in both CD and DVD formats, except for the Japanese language version which will only be in DVD format.Source - TechARP.comWell this says that it's the 2nd half of April 2008 for the RTM (for companies like Dell etc. to get their versions) - So who knows? No sign @ M$ yet :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 My advice, don't install anything which you think, or have heard, or hope, might be SP3 until you see it officially on the Microsoft website or get one of their e-mails (if you are a subscriber) that notifies you that's that's it's the final fully tested official release. Even then, personally, I'm going to wait a few months before downloading it. Knowing MS there's bound to be glitches, as there was (for some) with IE7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Dencandy, you speak a lot of sense, I tried the pre release and ended up doing a fresh install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 This whole discussion is also another reason why (like many others) I don't allow automatic updates of any software. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 This whole discussion is also another reason why (like many others) I don't allow automatic updates of any software.Are you saying you don't let your anti-virus and anti-spyware software not automatically update themselves? That you rather do it manually? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I just have my anti-virus programme updating automatically but all the others I do manually by checking for updates about once a week.Mine are all free versions for home use and automatic updates aren't included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I was expecting SP3 today, and in anticipation had made a fresh back up in Acronis. I will be happy to try it when it does eventually arrive, but only after making another Acronis back up. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarthy © ® ™ Posted March 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Looks like it's another month for us :(PC World:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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