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Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

post #1 of 10
10/15/08 at 9:18am
Thread Starter 
I am being "pushed" to upgrade my PCs at home and work (through my "automatic updates") to Windows XP SP3.

I know it's a really big (size & time) commitment and am wondering if people have stories to tell about their experiences in making the upgrade...or warnings if I should ignore the darn thing.
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post #2 of 10
10/15/08 at 1:27pm

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

SP3 killed my printer drivers and I had to reinstall them. Other than that, no problems (that I know of).
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post #3 of 10
10/15/08 at 1:44pm

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

I upgraded on 3 machines with out any issues.
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post #4 of 10
10/16/08 at 1:32pm

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

One of my computers initially slowed down dramatically after SP3 installed, but after about a week (and perhaps after I'd run Norton's windows doctor thingee that cleans up old shortcuts and the like) it sped back up to normal. The only thing that lingers is that after I exit Firefox, it takes a few seconds before the system responds to anything. It is almost as if Microsoft tries to sabotage Mozilla with these updates, isn't it?

There are no noticeable improvements whatsoever -- well, except there’s a new graphic for Remote Desktop Connection. So that’s one small improvement.
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post #5 of 10
10/16/08 at 4:19pm

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

2 desktops and 1 laptop updated without problem. I don't notice any changes honestly.
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post #6 of 10
10/17/08 at 3:48am

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

No problems here, but I was a bit bummed that it had to be downloaded. SP2 was available free of charge from Microsoft when it was released, and it took less than 5 business days before I received it.

I realize that it's cheaper for Microsoft to just host it on their servers, but there are still a good number of people out there without access to high-speed internet. I have 1.5Mb DSL, but I'd rather use it for other things.
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post #7 of 10
10/17/08 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

Thanks for the answers.

I guess I'm kind of wondering why, since SP3 has been around so long, MS is just NOW pushing it through automatic updates.

What? Me think that Microsoft might have some sort of "agenda?" Crazy.

I've already had a few people in my office blindly approve the update (without thinking or asking) and wondering why the update is taking so long and slowing them down... But also, they've experienced no real problems with the process or the aftermath.
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post #8 of 10
10/23/08 at 6:30pm

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

3 computers here, np.

The reason they do not push it right away is they let others download it first, 1. so it is not such a huge strain on the servers 2. those that get it right away are the "final" testers and if nothing major found wrong, then they will push it out via updates.
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post #9 of 10
10/25/08 at 9:40pm

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

I didn't notice any differences tell!

I had a huge problem and I ended up fixing this problem with a fresh install of XP.

SP3 doesn't like fresh installs. It has something to do with IE7 and a root security validation.

If you load SP3 before IE7 the updates there after wont install and there is a procedure you have to follow to reset the validation catalog or what ever it's called. Then it will allow you to download the rest of the XP Updates.

Ive noticed that Vista has the same issues with this as XP.

And to top it off, XP/Vista doesn't act right after you do get the uploads installed.

My computer still doesn't run right.

I noticed in Solidworks or cad that lines are way off in saved projects and keeps wanting a non existing OEM update from autocad or Solidworks

has anyone ran into this problem or is it just a hand full of people as Microsoft tech support points out?

~Becca
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post #10 of 10
10/30/08 at 3:19am

Re: Windows Service Pack 3: Experience?

I don't have XP on my PC. Instead I have Vista and I have tried to install SP1 a couple of different times but it screws up MCE so that it doesn't recognize the fact that I have a couple of tuners on my system and I have to reinstall my USB network connection as it takes that out. I end up having to uninstall it so that I can at least get MCE to work as it should.

I do have XP on my Mac using Parallels but I haven't updated it to SP3 yet. I may just wait until I am forced to.
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