Win XP SP3 -- Safe to install?

ttl · 10-05-2008, 10:57 PM

Hi all,

I've read from quite a number of other sources that Service Pack 3 for Win XP is not stable. How true is this? Can those who have installed SP3 share your experience?

chauffeur2 · 10-05-2008, 11:59 PM

G'Day ttl, Welcome to TSF!

Microsoft® would not have released Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows® XP if it had not been thoroughly tested beforehand.
I have had SP3 on all the machines at home for over 3 months now, and have had no problems whatsoever.
When anything 'new' comes on the market (in this case SP3), and something goes wrong with a PC, people are too quick to blame the Service Pack, rather than themselves for an operational boo boo.

To allay any doubts that you might have, please read this installation guide, that has a step-by-step description...

XP- SP3 Installation Instructions

Important Note: If you have an AMD Processor, read this first.

Before installing the XP-SP3, perform these steps FIRST:

1: Use the Windows® Disk Clean up Tool. (Click the coloured Link.)

2: Perform a Disk Defragment....Reboot the computer.

3: Manually create a "System Restore Point"; call it, say, Before SP3

4: Download the standalone version of SP3 from Microsoft®. SP3 Standalone Version ..."Save" it to the computer rather than using the 'Open' or 'Run' options.

5: Once downloaded, Right click the icon > ”Unblock”.

6: Disconnect from the Internet; (pull the power from the modem/router); disable any Firewalls; pop-up blockers, and Anti Virus and Spyware programs (especially Spyware Terminator™).

7: Start the installation and follow the prompts....When finished, reconnect to the Internet first; reboot the computer.

Important Note: While the SP3 is installing, do not attempt to do any other tasks on the computer until it has finished, this will ensure a ‘clean’ upgrade.

Post back with your thoughts, and if you decided "to bite the bullet", how the installation went.

Kind Regards,

10-05-2008, 10:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
ttl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Win XP SP2	Win XP SP3 -- Safe to install? Hi all, I've read from quite a number of other sources that Service Pack 3 for Win XP is not stable. How true is this? Can those who have installed SP3 share your experience?

10-05-2008, 11:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Re: Win XP SP3 -- Safe to install? G'Day ttl, Welcome to TSF! Microsoft® would not have released Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows® XP if it had not been thoroughly tested beforehand. I have had SP3 on all the machines at home for over 3 months now, and have had no problems whatsoever. When anything 'new' comes on the market (in this case SP3), and something goes wrong with a PC, people are too quick to blame the Service Pack, rather than themselves for an operational boo boo. To allay any doubts that you might have, please read this installation guide, that has a step-by-step description... XP- SP3 Installation Instructions Important Note: If you have an AMD Processor, read this first. Before installing the XP-SP3, perform these steps FIRST: 1: Use the Windows® Disk Clean up Tool. (Click the coloured Link.) 2: Perform a Disk Defragment....Reboot the computer. 3: Manually create a "System Restore Point"; call it, say, Before SP3 4: Download the standalone version of SP3 from Microsoft®. SP3 Standalone Version ..."Save" it to the computer rather than using the 'Open' or 'Run' options. 5: Once downloaded, Right click the icon > ”Unblock”. 6: Disconnect from the Internet; (pull the power from the modem/router); disable any Firewalls; pop-up blockers, and Anti Virus and Spyware programs (especially Spyware Terminator™). 7: Start the installation and follow the prompts....When finished, reconnect to the Internet first; reboot the computer. Important Note: While the SP3 is installing, do not attempt to do any other tasks on the computer until it has finished, this will ensure a ‘clean’ upgrade. Post back with your thoughts, and if you decided "to bite the bullet", how the installation went. Kind Regards, __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!! Last edited by chauffeur2; 10-06-2008 at 12:01 AM.