XP SP3 - current views?

[ChrisXPPro]

Since SP3 started I have heard mixed reports but seemingly more bad than good. 

Of course IIRC there was an issue with AMD and some other things but I'd be interested to know folk's take right now after it has been available a good while.

Anyways - please post if you will - good or bad experience (and ugly!)?  And expand on that with problems if any and what type etc.  I'd be interested to know an overall impression.  Right now I am holding off from it - too leary to risk it!

First time I have wanted to place a poll and danged if I can see an option. 

[Broni]

IMHO...
1. If computer is clean, and kept up to date, SP3 should install with no problem.
On the other hand...
2. SP3 is more, or less a bag of updates issued between SP2, and SP3, so if you installed all previous updates, you can live without SP3.

[ChrisXPPro]

Thx Broni - yeah, my updates are totally up to date - in fact when I downgraded from Vista to XP Pro coupla months or more ago - I went thru more updates then than you could shake a stick at!  Just to catch up.

Since ''getting up to speed" then, I have taken all updates, except SP3!

[Broni]

In that case, I'd leave it alone.

[iamtonsoffun247]

heres a question:  if my comp said that it downloaded service pack 3, but never installed it, then i canceled it, then did a system restore to a time before I did this, is it not on my computer? haha im pretty sure I dont want it

[ChrisXPPro]

heres a question:  if my comp said that it downloaded service pack 3, but never installed it, then i canceled it, then did a system restore to a time before I did this, is it not on my computer? haha im pretty sure I dont want it

If you simply prevented the install then it shouldn't be there anyways - without any roll back.

I'd suggest to most folks who want to stay in control - to not let updates go on full auto install - go for custom and make decisions as to what you want or not.

[Broni]

but never installed it, then i canceled it

This part is unclear. You canceled what exactly?

[ChrisXPPro]

I am imagining updates were all downloaded but install of SP3 was negated/cancelled. 

Am I right?

[iamtonsoffun247]

well it showed it fully downloaded (but never actually said DONE.... the green bar was full, then was empty and the icon in my toolbar said 0% downloaded).... im bad at explaining stuff...... so at that point, i canceled.

[Broni]

As long, as installation didn't start, you shouldn't have any traces of it.

[Calum]

XP SP3 includes all current updates since SP2 to SP3's release dates, plus NAP and some other features included with Vista.
IMHO, if you're fully updated and won't use NAP, no need to install it.
If you were starting from SP0, 1 or 2, you should install it simply because it's less hassle than installing all the individual updates.
I've not had any problems with SP3 at all with any of my machines.

[Chir6]

You can quickly see if what Service Pack is intalled on you Windows XP computer buy opening the control panel and double clicking the System icon.  I think the Service pack three files are downloaded 'on your computer' hard drive somewhere although it sounds like you cancel the installation of these files, so their not 'in your computer' untill you install them.   

Of note with the SP3 .  There seems to be a problem with certain AMD HP computers. http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2008/05/15/hp-tells-consumers-to-sit-tight-and-not-install-xp-sp3


Hope this helps, Friend!

[reddevilggg]

I downloaded SP3 and a lot off applications didn't work properly, I got rid straight away, nightmare!

[patio]

It's sitting in a Temp file somewhere....if you run CCleaner it will be gone...

[drmsucks]

I have installed it on three computers - zero problems. Follow the instructions - disable AV and anti-spyware before installing.

Of course IIRC there was an issue with AMD and some other things

This was not the 'fault' of SP3 or MS.