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PC News: XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is out.

Syf

Syf

Lost Finder
Star Fighter
Joined
21 Apr 2006
Messages
7,129
Age
49
Hello everyone. I would like to point out that XP service pack 3 was release last Wednesday.

BEFORE YOU UPDATE: Here are some important tips and warnings.

  • First off, it's less than a week old. I recommend waiting at least another week or two if you can. Just common sense really.
  • If you own an HP *Hewlett Packard* brand PC or LAPTOP, DON'T UPGRADE yet. There is a bug. It's fixable, but it's a headache. Just wait until they patch that.
  • Install IE7 BEFORE you upgrade to SP3.
  • Once SP3 is installed, you can NOT downgrade to IE6 or older.
  • Backup ALL you SYSTEM DATA before you upgrade. Preferably with a full HD Disc Image and Restore point.
  • If you have an older AMD based CPU, DO NOT UPGRADE yet. When I say older, I'm talking the old Athlons, Durons, K8s, K7, K6, and older.
  • And finally, Did I mention, BACK UP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA. Even you favorites and history, just in case.

Now, if all that doesn't scare you straight, then here's the good news.

I personally upgraded last Thursday. I am running an AMD based CPU (AMD 64 4000+). I have not had any problems with the SP3 personally speaking.

I had IE7 already, and all my drivers, like video and MB drivers up-to-date. The install went fine (but the download was really really slow from MS).

What does SP3 offer? It fixed some security problems, and driver-to-windows-to-hardware issues on a lot of the newer hardware.It also tweaks some other windows files, improving overall speed of XP be about 10%. I've actually notice a bit faster performance, about a 20% improvement.

But also be warned. The MS update site does install newer versions of the "Authentication" software. I just point this out, as it has cause an occasional problem on some VAR and/or OEM PCs.

* OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer.
** VAR = That local geek guy that builds computers, or that local small guy PC repair shop.
*** PC, CPU, MS, XP, SP#, MB, HD, IE#, etc = If you don't know what that is, you shouldn't be here!
 
Majestic

Majestic

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Seraphim Build Team
Joined
17 Apr 2006
Messages
18,335
Age
39
So you can't use IE6 on SP3 is that correct? I still run IE6 and at one time I tried IE7 but the layout was so awkward that I downgraded to IE6 again. If only Mozilla Firefox would work on my PC without crashing. :(
 
Syf

Syf

Lost Finder
Star Fighter
Joined
21 Apr 2006
Messages
7,129
Age
49
That is correct. IE6 will not work on XP SP3. It also forces you to upgrade to IE7. But also note, if you have it installed already, then it'll run the install better.
 
SquireJames

SquireJames

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
16 Feb 2008
Messages
371
My install of XP Pro is broken enough as it is without another "service" pack.

However, nice to see MS hasn't totally abandoned XP in favour of its new child.

God, did I really just say it was good that XP hadn't been abandoned? Had the 15 year old version of myself who tried to play all his old games that worked fine on Win 98 back when XP was new heard me say that, I would have got a slap (temporally that is)

Funny how the next piece of software-breaking software makes us appreciate our current piece of software-breaking software all the more. Its like a weird backwards version of consoles. Rather than loving your current console till the newer, shiner, even more painfully Japanese "next-gen" console appears, then instantly shunning your oldie in favour of this new beast, its the reverse. Every time a new version of windows comes out, I instantly forget the woes of the previous and cling to it for dear life.

Well, except for the 95-98 switch (although admittedly I had 98SE) and of course ME, but we knew that was bad. Oddly enough my copy of ME worked better than the 98 First Edition my grandfather had, until i tried to upgrade to XP, when terrible terrible things happened.
 
Lord_Trekie

Lord_Trekie

Bah Humbug!
Joined
1 Oct 2006
Messages
1,876
I'd love it if MS gave some love back to 98SE, great OS that was. But I just upgraded to SP3 on Friday I think, after I bought a 500GB external HDD to back up my whole 280GB worth of internal HDD's. Nothing bad happened but please do not ignore the importance of a backup. So far though to be honest I haven't noticed any difference, I've been running IE7 for about 8 months now, and nothing has gone wrong in that time, at least with IE, now my computer in general is a different story... :D
 
Knight

Knight

"What? Too flashy?"
Joined
27 Jun 2006
Messages
2,404
Upgraded my mothers laptop to it a few days ago, not heard of any problems yet.

And considering she managed to break it in two days, and i had to rebuild it to make it work again, theres no guarantee that it wouldnt be down to her anyway lol :lol:
 
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