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Win Xp Service Pack3

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by belem3

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I am religious about downloading Win updates. Is it necessary to download and install SP3?

22 replies

by thumbsup2

... there are additional security features that were not previously issued as separate patches.

by captbilly1eye

You can opt to not install SP3 at this time and Windows Updater will continue to recommend other separate updates.

by jdclyde

If it is for yourself, you can ignore it if you wish.

For users, they won't realize it is so large, nor that it is never a good idea to install a service pack from an autodownload.

download the iso, make your disk, and do the install. I have had no issues installing that way.

by thumbsup2

... the ISO thing that is. I've had no problems what-so-ever doing it that way. Although, I didn't have any problems updating the 3 computers I use through the web site and before I could get around to 12 different offices throughout the state with the ISO in my hand, some of our more technically inclined users had already done their own auto-update thing and had no problems either.

by oh smeg

And they all revolve around the Stated AMD Problem by M$.

Funny thing is that every time I have hit this issue it has always involved a Intel CPU on an Off The Shelf Domestic NB. I think one had a AMD CPU but most have had Intel CPU's and they all appear to have the exact same problem which is cured by the M$ Knowledge Base Article KB949377.

After using the Method 3 Solution I haven't had any problems. Even then I con count the number of issues found on the fingers of 1 hand and I have no idea how many times I've used the SP3 CD's that I made to update XP.

Col

by older mycroft

Although M$ did a slightly sneaky thing.

I had elected to NOT install it and it was ignored from then on. Then my rig crashed horribly and I had the system hard drive replaced then reinstalled.

Upon committing to run the usual updates, I held off until all motherboard drivers were installed, tested and intact then elected to go for WGA.

Sneakily M$ included SP3 in the WGA install choice. But it's fine - I've had zero problems with it.

by rob miners

needed. Having said that and I have installed it, I have noticed that the Search function actually works now without falling over. I have used Automatic updates to install it to all of my PC's.
The only probem I have had so far with it is with an AMD based PC. You would get the little Update icon and when you clicked on it and told it to install it would install. When it had installed and asked for a reboot it would startup and immediately restart and remove the Service Pack.
It wasn't until the third reinstall that I noticed a box behind it asking if I agreed to installing WGA. Clicked OK to that it it was sweet with the install. I haven't had any problems since.

I would love to see the results of a survey to see what the major problems are with automatic updates, with the PC specs included. I only say this as this is the first time that I have experienced an automatic update problem on one of my own PC's.

by thumbsup2

.... but I've seen one problem.... commonly called 'the nut between the chair and the keyboard'. What's that accronym? I can't ever remember it! ;)

Anyway, I had a user who thought it would be OK to go ahead and allow the auto-update in the background (without looking to see what it was) while running Outlook, 2-3 Word documents open, a couple of spreadsheets open, several browser windows going, a GIS mapping application and Lord knows what else.

The result was a mess. It BSOD'd. He lost everything he was working on (had not saved recently) and it corrupted each of the Office applications as well as the GIS application. To fix it, I had to uninstall Office, GIS and SP3, reinstall the applications, repair the PST and then reinstall SP3. After words, all is fine. He's just out hours of work that he hadn't saved (temp files were corrupt too) plus the hours his machine was on my workbench so he couldn't work (and I took my time to punish the little devil)! ]:)

.

by older mycroft

PEBKAC :: "Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair"
PIBKAC :: "Problem Is Between Keyboard And Chair"
POBCAC :: "Problem Occurs Between Computer and Chair"
PEBCAC :: "Problem Exists Between Chair and Computer"
PEBCAT :: "Problem Exists Between Chair and Terminal"
PEBMAC :: "Problem Exists Between Monitor And Chair"
PEBCAK :: "Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard"
PEBKAM :: "Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Monitor"

EBKAC :: "Error Between Keyboard And Chair"

PICNIC :: "Problem In Chair Not In Computer"

:)

by rob miners

the ID10T as it is referred to as Maxwell Smart would have said. I am obviously digging too deep for the answer that is blatantly right in front of me. Thanks

Rob

by computercookie

Haven't heard the PICNIC one though, I like
it.

As for your problem with SP3 installing, I'd
suggest that you backup the file
"windowsUpdate.log" so you can copy it to
your new HDD's when required.

But as you already know that the bulk of SP3
are the updates released since SP2 what is
the problem!

by rob miners

but I have also had a few that should have put it back in the packaging and sent it back. ;)

by oh smeg

Though I haven't see it this week yet and it's already a day old.

But the Guy in question is a surgeon with a nasty habit of suggesting that a mark on an arm looks like Skin Cancer so he gets you in and then after making the first cut he then proceeds to Blackmail you with comments like [i]"I hope my hand doesn't shake as I'm terribly worried about my computer outside."[/i] Out of a very strong of Self Preservation I decided it was easier to fix the problem than run the risk of a shaking hand. :^0

I hit a problem with this guy last week & I just said [b]RTFM[/b] to him his reply was [b]How[/b] you never gave me the manual. :D

Next time I'll have to use the PICNIC on him to see what his reply is. :0

Col

by thumbsup2

You know how it is for people our age! It was right on the tip of my tongue... er... fingers! I just couldn't remember what it was!

I do have to say that PICNIC is a new one on me. But, I like it!

My all time favorite though is ID-Ten-T (aka ID10T)! Thanks CC and Jacky for refreshing my mind! :D

by rob miners

Classic. What more can I say. And on a cheery note. You make a lot of mistakes in life that you learn from, but I just can't seem to remember them. That was the joke that my father inlaw told me today at our BBQ. He hangs with the oldies. ;)

by rob miners

and thanks for the advice. I heard Hawksbury River Lovin today and I can't get it off the brain. nearly time to relax. ;) I am waiting for a file from a friend. :D

by oh smeg

But this time I was ready for it I've blown Windows away and rebuilt the system from scratch after seeing a BSOD when I attempted to Boot in Safe Mode.

As this one is a Surgeon I have to be nice He has Sharp Knives that he uses. :D

Col

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