Microsoft

I installed the version initially posted 29 Apr'08:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080429-microsoft-releases-the-long-anticipated-windows-xp-sp3.html

I installed it in two computers, one running XP MCE, another running XP Pro. SP3 installed in 10 minutes. I have encountered no significant problems, but others have reported crashes.

That said, Microsoft has published a number of bulletins regarding troublesome SP3 installations:

http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173

So I recommend that you make a complete backup of your OS configuration and data files. SP3 will actually do this automatically for you, if you don't have imaging software such as Norton Ghost.

Once you have installed SP3 and you have determined that it's working OK, you can delete the SP3-created backup file. Beta tests have shown a 10% enhancement in performance with SP3 as compared to SP2, and SP3 includes certain Vista components for additional reliability.

In summary, go ahead and install SP3.

Rick/Portland, OR

in the process of installing it now. I have created a Restore Point in case anything goes wrong. For me it is only 66.9MB. There were a lot of previous updates so that would probably account for the small size. If something does go wrong it shouldn't be too hard to uninstall.

<No problems at all>

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
CPU Type Genuine Intel, 2433 MHz (4.5 x 541)
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-8IG (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DIMM, Audio, Video)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Springdale-G i865G
System Memory 2048 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Video Adapter GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)

It is really up to you to decide.

http://www.normantranscript.com/commerce/local_story_131002329

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

I have updated over ten workstations, desktops and laptops, so far.
I only had a problem with two of them and it was easily resolved. **

It should be noted that all of these machines had been regularly updated and had all the previously released High Priority and Optional releases.

All are running smoothly now. No complaints. In fact, three users tell me they think their boxes are running smoother than before. I'll reserve judgment on that. ;-)


** in both cases I encountered, an 'Access Denied' error came up about half-way through the installation and then a roll-back occurred. Both were resolved by installing SubInACL and running a script as prescribed in this article: http://tinyurl.com/5nacly

I suspect that spyware or a virus had removed administrator permissions to parts of the registry.

.

But I have only a small base installed 8 Computers that I'm testing on.

If you don't want to install SP3 get the SP Blocking utility from M$ here

http://tinyurl.com/48oojp

Col

until I stop reading complaints to install it. My XP partition is working just fine as it is. If it ain't broke don't fix it.