Should I install XP Service Pack 3? (SP3)

[Moderator]

Installing SP3 has always been a highly debated issue.
We are going to break it down for you, and, if anything goes wrong, your already in the right place.

Note: This topic is open to comments and suggestions, please dont ask for help here though, ask for help on the Microsoft Windows forum on ComputerHope.


When should I not install Windows XP Service Pack 3:

• If you have an AMD system, you need to take caution. Go to your manufacturer website, and find instructions for installing XP SP3 on your system. If this is a custom build, you should be fine, unless you used a pre-built image to install the operating system.
• If you are using a custom version of Windows, such as "Windows Lite" or a derivative operating system of Windows that makes Windows more minimal, or if you have any programs installed that extensively change system files (such as programs that replace Windows Explorer shell) you should not install XP SP3.
• If your computer has been infected by a virus, and caused issues that may have destroyed system files completely, you should not install XP SP3
• If you already get errors on startup about files being missing, you might want to hold back on upgrading.

AMD Users, download this hotfix before installing SP3: [/u] http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/c/6/0c609742-5507-49fb-b028-a00701f13197/WindowsXP-KB953356-x86-ENU.exe

Service packs dont fix issues that already present their symptoms. Dont depend on SP3 to fix problems such as this, unless its specifically detailed in the SP3 documentation that they will be fixed.


Why should I install SP3?
SP3 doenst only fix existing known bugs in Windows XP, causing it to be more stable, but, it also fixed security holes.
Most people have never been hacked, and many might never have hacking issues, but, its still a good idea to prevent it before it happens. Besides keeping antivirus and a firewall updated and running (Windows Firewall works fine, by the way), keeping your system updated with Windows Updates is also important.
You leave your system more open when you dont install updates and service packs.


I have dialup, how do I get SP3?
You can download SP3 using a flash drive, or a blank CD. You might consider downloading SP3 at a friends house, or local library. Download SP3 here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en
A lot of people think Dialup makes you impervious to hacking, and though it significantly increases the amount of time it takes to exploit your system, it does not mean that your computer is hack proof.

Also, you can order an SP3 disc from Microsoft which contains other updates besides SP3. Check this option out here:
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/Validation.aspx?StoreID=ce6e3afc-6b25-4f99-8913-3e3453ad966d&LocaleCode=en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes
For another country besides North America, find it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx


I dont use the Internet on one of my XP computers, should I still install SP3?
Yes. Besides security fixes mainly involved with the internet, some security fixes make it harder for a virus to attack your system. Viruses can be transferred by Flash Drive or a self burned CD. You should still have antivirus on non-Internet computers.
Also, XP SP3 will fix many bugs in XP, making your system run better.


How do I install SP3?
If you have Internet, simply get it by using Windows Update. If you have automatic updates disabled, open Internet Explorer, and click Tools> "Windows Update"
This will bring you to the update page. You should be first prompted to install XP SP3 before any other upates.
If you dont have Internet, read back up again to: "I have Dialup, how do I get SP3?" for a link to SP3 which you can put on a flash drive or CD.



You might also consider reading: "What is Service Pack 3 [Microsoft]"
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx

Just to add to the dial up thing...if you have an internal modem, your connection IP is just about the same as your machine IP, because there is no routing/NAT. So on dial-up, your IP is much more exposed.

I wish I had read this about a week ago. A few days ago my system crashed, and I had to replace my mother board and processor. I went with a Asus motherboard with a triple core AMD processor. Of course I had to reformat and install windows. I did all my updates, including service pack 3. So my question is, what happens if you have an AMD chip and install service pack 3? I have noticed some odd behavior, but aside from that, everything seems to be fine. Should I start over and reformat and reinstall again? What are the pro's and con's? Thank you.

So my question is, what happens if you have an AMD chip and install service pack 3?

Nothing, they fixed that ages ago.