[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Installing Windows XP SP3? Read This First here

[coastie65]

I just read this and it was stated that the file size was 343 Mb. I went over to Windows update and it did the scan thing and came up with SP3, with a " typical file size" of 66.9 Mb. It seems as if there may be a discrepancy in file size and I find that a bit curious. Anyway, I still haven't installed that thing, but guess I wlll at some point. Good article. coastie65

[snorg]

Hi Coastie

343 Mb is the size of the full download of SP3 you put that on a CD and use it instead of windoze update.

" typical file size" of 66.9 Mb is the average install from widoze update.

[jbenowl22]

I received this only after I had downloaded and installed SP3.
There were no problems at all - no hang-ups and Windows loaded very quickly after the re-boot: possibly a wait of just seconds, no more. IE7 is not required; I use Avant and IE6 because Avant does not work well with IE7. I might try IE8 when it is finalised.
Windows loads more quickly and most programs I have tried so far load much more quickly.
Experience is good!

[bobmcm]

Both Gateway Desktop 835GM Pentium D MCE & HP Compaq nx6125 AMD Turion64 XP Pro running smooth & faster! Still chose "advise me when to download & install new updates". I don't feel warm & fuzzy about Auto Updates: must be the Microsoft pompous arrogance!

[DaveTomp302]

I wish this article had come out earlier. In my case I received the SP3 through automatic updates and it crashed my system. Windows failed to restart until after SP3's removal and even when it was installed,all tests indicated no hardware problems but Windows wouldn't restart. It ultimately crashed my system and I had to use PC recover to retrieve my files but lost some of my licensed programs in the process.

DaveTomp302

[coastie65]

Hey snorg, Thanks for clearing that up. I was thinking maybe that was the size of the zip files and then it would expand after they were opened. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! How come I got a feeling, that is what you meant. coastie

[peoh]

Dear Steve,
I update to SP3, really my PC is faster.
I never believe that a SP from Microsoft could in realty improve my machine.
Where is the trap?
Pablo
From Chile

[BillHeyward]

Schlemiel? Schlimazel? With a 33K modem, I think the proper name would be Schmuck.

[coastie65]

Hi Pablo and welcome to the forum. :^0 I haven't updated yet. There have been several that have noted a performance increase after updating. I'm with you, there must be a catch somewhere. :^0 coastie65

[trucker]

I ran the XP SP3 on my PC and a laptop a couple of days ago. No problems during the upgrade or after. Both of my cumputers seem to operate somewhat faster. It was definately a great update.

[tommccoy0707]

I downloaded, installed and rebooted, but I could only get windows xp to boot in safe mode. Needless to say, I restored xp tp pre-SP3 and I'll wait and see.

[Balayage]

You are a little late with your advice. Already installed SP3. My only problem is with Media Center. Just gave errors and crashed. TRied looking up errors and applying recommended fixes. It now runs. It acts different and gives error messages at every turn. Tired of trying fixes.

[Roberto21]

Is this an appropriate forum to tell my ongoing tale of woe? I need advice on getting the iso file to run. By the way the file size I downloaded is 571mb!

[mphenterprises]

Hi Roberto and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D




This particular Discussion is related to the article. If you need specific help, please open your own Discussion by clicking this hyperlink:

http://forums.pcworl...=2000&go=CreateNewDiscussion



Please be as descriptive as possible in both your Discussion title and posting. Immediately, what I can tell you is that Service Pack 3 is not an .iso file. If you are attempting to install an .iso file, you are not getting a true Service Pack. For further information, please start your Discussion and we can assist you in there.

[snorg]

Roberto21 said:

xpsp35512.0804132112udax86fre_spcd it is categorized as an ISO file. I can't open it. Is that because an ISO file is a file type for burning and not executing? Obviously I have a dug a hole....

Hi Roberto

It looks like you are not knowledgeable about how to use an ISO file.
Just use the executable and that will work fine for you.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers
WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe 316.4 MB

[mphenterprises]

Hi Snorg. LOL You know I only keep an eye on these posts. Unless the article specifically intrigues me, I just keep an eye on the posts. Thanks for the heads up.

[animallover]

Microsoft said I should install the SP3 to keep everything current on my HP Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. I installed it less than a week ago, and it crashed my computer. It could not boot up the OS. While in Safe Mode said it would keep my data and restore my OS to its original condition. It deleted every document, every photo, every receipt that I had kept in the past 6 months. The hard work that I've done has vanished, and cannot be replaced.
The original OS now on my computer will need to be updated, but I will not be able to update a number of programs since Microsoft is not updating them any more. I shall put a note on the edge of my monitor, DO NOT DOWNLOAD SP3! Hope most people do not have to go through my experience.

[tradero68]

Be careful ! I downloaded SP3 on my Compaq SR2037X--tried to restart it for 3 hours with no luck--finally did a full recovery and spent all the next day reloading my stuff.
I forgot the old axiom :"If it works don't fix it."

[GoneFishing]

Having had my fair share of problems with updates and hotfixes with MSFT, this time I slipstreamed the IE7 and WMP11 and SP3 on 1 disk, wiped the drive and reinstalled Windows, everything is working great except for the IE7 is having a small problem with opening link in my E-Mails, not all the time but enough to be a bother, and getting into this site has been much easier since