Windows XP service pack 3

[tema]

For everyone who uses Windows XP, the latest service pack was released late last night...

Download from here or Windows Update

 

[brownie]

LOL no chance yet, I'll let everyone else test it for me first.

 

[abovezero]

Has anybody installed it and noticed any improvements or disadvantages?

 

There is little in it really. SP3 is a collection of all of the other previous updates, plus a couple of others.

We have a brief blog post about it HERE

 

[ServWise]

Failed to install on my main machine with access denied error, followed suggestions to fix but nothing worked, three install attempts later and still no joy, after that my PC was shagged, lost networks, strange errors etc etc, luckily a system restore to prior to the first attempt seems to have brought everything back into line. I wont be attempting that again for a while.

 

You might be best to go through Windows Update, choose Custom updates, then install a load of those on there before trying SP3.

 

[confused]

shouldnt have to though by rights, was only nt where you had to re apply any service packs after every brew.
I'll wait, any customers of mine I'll install on one or 2 and see how they go.

 

[gregs2769]

tested it out and sp3 seems to be ok. it runs twice as fast as vista fyi

 

[abovezero]

Seems a bit worrying that people installing SP3 should get such different results. I think I'll wait a couple of weeks before jumping in, as I can't risk a major software failure right now.

 

[JustOneUK]

Seems a bit worrying that people installing SP3 should get such different results. I think I'll wait a couple of weeks before jumping in, as I can't risk a major software failure right now.

Me too.. just recovering from a total meltdown. I'm still a week behind with everything.

Thanks for the original heads up about the Service pack release, I'm guessing it will be the last one?

 

[brownie]

Interesting.............

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/09/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_crashes/

Are those having problems running AMD processors?

 

[g.harding]

Hi,
I'm on the limit with MS XP and Vista. Every time they release something it gets worse. I'm now looking into other options.

Gary

 

[alltopbooks]

Installed via Windows update.

It took it's time preparing to download. And again installing.

But all seems to be working ok. Famous last words....

Dilip

 

[abovezero]

Could this be a cynical attempt to get us all to transfer to Vista?

 

There is little in the SP other than a packaging of all previous updates, plus a couple of little 'functionality tweaks' to allow XP machines to work with the rest of their stuff.

If you are having problems with it, I would suggest going into Windows Update, choosing 'Custom' updates, and installing a number of these at a time.

Once you get someway caught up, then install SP3.

I have downloaded it onto about 12+ machines this week, and no problems with any of them at all - some of them were so old they surprised even me

 

[g.harding]

I have just about had enough of the MS products. There is no way I am trying to advertise Vista. I have Vista and it is a heap of junk. Everyone MUST avoid. I'm looking for alternative solutions. Any ideas??

Gary

 

[confused]

dos ?
might struggle with modern apps though !
Service packs are often an issue. I've installed sp3 on a few now (one or 2 at different sites - never all of them at once !!) and as yet had no issues.

 

[Top Hat]

Ww've installed it on 8 PCs so far and no problems to report.

 

[lockie]

I switched to vista earlier in the year thinking if its no good i'll go back to xp. So far ive had no problems what so ever with vista. My only gripe is they don't do a power tool for right click image resizing, i had to buy a programme to do what i wanted but its a minor gripe.

What are the problems everyone has with vista ? Is it software conflicts etc ?

 

[stugster]

"Microsoft has so far failed to provide any plausible solution to Windows XP customers who have seen their PCs crippled by the install of service pack three (SP3)."

"As we reported on Friday, within hours of XP SP3 being released as an automatic update hundreds of complaints flooded into Microsoft's official Windows forum. Customers grumbled that their computers were suffering spontaneous reboots and system crashes after the service pack installs."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/12/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_amd/

 

I had read about that very early on after release, but I have still not experienced any problems.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

no problems here on first pc. will report after others are fired up

 

[mke]

I really do feel for you all. If anyone would like to try out a genuinely superb system, and I will work with you at no cost to start with, here is an offer.

Download one example or other of Ubuntu. If you want the one that's most like M$ Win, go for Kubuntu. Burn it onto a CD or DVD. Then get in touch.

I or one of my team will talk you through using it with the CD, so you don't affect anything already on your machine. Once you're confident. we'll talk you through a full installation.

So far, you have spent nothing. If you're happy. carry on. You now have a full operating system which is equivalent to (well, much better than, but an OS nevertheless) M$ Win MX, you have a choice of full Office suites but most people just go for OpenOffice.org 'cos it's the one most like 'doze Office, image manipulation applications you'd spend loadza money on if they were 'doze apps, and much, much more including superior browser and email software. How much would you expect to pay for that lot at PC World?

If you want a full support service, just get in touch and we'll assess the need and offer a quote. I don't know how much it will be without assessing need, but can assure you it will be less than a 'doze support package. In many cases, it will be less than a M$ licence without support.

 

[stugster]

To be fair, yes moving to Ubuntu or a form of it is cheaper, but it's not necessarily better. The user is going to have to spend time learning how to work the new operating system, they're going to have to learn how to do simple tasks that you and me take for granted in a *nix distro. This time is money :/

OpenOffice is free, but it's not as good as Microsoft Office yet. And to be honest, it still has a long way to go.

When you say "Superior browser" what do you mean? I use FireFox on Windows, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it!

What happens if the client is using Sage, or another software package that isn't compatible with *nix? Not only is it a hassle to try and transfer the data across, but that's more time learning how to do tasks.

And lastly, the LiveCD sounds great, but it runs so slow. It really isn't a great advertisement for a fantastic operating system.

 

[mke]

You're right in some respects but wrong in others, Stuart. I certainly agree on the CD point you make. It is only any good as a demo. Quite often, the test is better done by installing the distro on an old PC. It is far more resource efficient so will work reasonably well where 'doze has become too resource hungry.

The learning curve is minimal. It is all point and click and, if anything, it has surpassed the 'doze offerings in levels of intuitive use.

You have choices of several browsers. That is true of other applications, too, including several office suites of which I personally use Open Office. That's because I'm too damned idle to check the others out, though. Having visited people using 'doze applications recently, I can't agree their office suite is in any way superior. But then, I don't use it day to day ad I don't suppose you use Open Office day to day. When it comes down to it, I doubt there's much to choose between them other than the price tag and the ability to work when loaded on different platforms.

A large number of the apps will work on 'doze as well as *nix platforms. Most come pre-loaded on *nix whilst you have to download them separately on other platforms.

In conclusion, I really do see several Linux distributions as superior to M$ offerings in several ways although, as you would expect, it is not superior in every single facet. And for those who have locked themselves into M$ dedicated applications, it would not be a practical choice. But that is a choice they have made.

And a short learning curve would appear to me infinitely preferable to the suffering so many appear to be going through, as though they were forced to stick to a single offering on a single platform. Sorry if this sounds pompous, but such blind allegiance to a single label appears masochistic to me.

I made the switch about 5 years ago and have never regretted it. Now most Linux distributions in general and the Ubuntu "family" in particular are so user friendly, the old usability arguments just don't hold water. Am I just like the ex-smoker, knowing what's better for all of you, too?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Stugster,

on the whole your comments are right, however, I would disagree about OpenOffice. For 80-90% of Office users, OO is more than adequate. I dont have stats, but I am sure most peole you speak to do not use Office for more than it's basic functionality, even in an office environment.

Standing on a pulpit and a little of subject, I would also say that any company who buys more than basic spec PC for general office work is throwing money away!

 

[g.harding]

I've been testing Ubuntu on an old scrap machine for a couple of weeks. So far for office and web work it makes Vista look slow and unstable. I will continue testing to see how it survives a long run without a reboot.

Gary

 

[mke]

testing Ubuntu on an old scrap machine for a couple of weeks

And how long would it take you to get Vista onto that machine in the first place? Just think how much better Ubuntu would run on a machine which Vista could live on.

I think you've got your answer, haven't you?

 

[asonda]

I'd like to jump onto this little 'thing' going on here by saying that Linux would be a good replacement for many people that don't need all the extra stuff that windows can offer.

Some of my business clients use OpenOffice which I recommended instead of shelling out for Office for lots of computers.

Consultant is right in that my customers aren't even using OO in as much depth as they could, simple letters, simple spreadsheets etc... does the basics and thats all that people want, unless they want to start getting flashy.

 

[mke]

extra stuff that windows can offer.

Like what? Examples please?

To read some comments here, one would get the impression 'doze had something extra other OS's don't have. I have yet to see a single worthwhile example.

You seem oblivious to the fact that other operating systems have not only been around longer, they have been developed continuously over that time. Any failings have been at the non-technical, "user-friendliness" end and weak marketing performance. The user friendliness, at least, has now received due attention and has done better in many ways than simply catching up.

Linux, more specifically, forked directly out of Unix. Technically, I would strongly commend it as having many advantages over the over-hyped, over-marketed, under-performing alternative in many respects.

 

[ThunderMan]

Hi guys,

Recently I’ve installed fresh Windows XP with Service Pack 3 – all seem to work just fine, but for me I've notice slight improvement for the performance.


But I don’t know about you guys, but remember one thing you cannot rely other user to try out or wait for the review regarding SP3 this is because there are billion different computers out there along with different hardware specification & other software installed – all of these come with its own factor which could affect for the performance, bugs & crash…

I’ve been using Window for long time I don’t find any problems with it – same thing along for Linux as well, it just takes bit of gut to switch over from Windows to Linux and stay there for long haul – it’s all depend what kind of business application do you require for daily purpose....




Regards
ThunderMan

 

[ThunderMan]

Hi there,

Recently I've installed fresh Windows XP with Service Pack 3 - all seem to work just fine, but for me I've notice slight improvement for the performance.

But I don't know about you guys, but remember one thing you cannot rely other user to try out or wait for the review regarding SP3 this is because there are billion different computers out there along with different hardware specification & other software installed - all of these come with its own factor which could affect for the performance, bugs & crash…

I've been using Window for long time I don't find any problems with it - same thing along for Linux as well, it just takes bit of gut to switch over from Windows to Linux and stay there for long haul - it's all depend what kind of business application do you require for daily purpose...

Best Regards
ThunderMan

 

Quote:
"The problem is narrowed to AMD customers that bought their computers from HP. Apparently these machines running SP3 act funny and won't allow users to get so much as Safe Mode when rebooting. Johansson thinks the problem is HP putting images of Windows on their machines."

Taken from http://www.biztoolbelt.com/2008/05/windows_xp_service_pack_3_kill.html

 

[riazmb]

I think I will also wait and see!