OSNews: http://www.osnews.com/story/19694/Windows_XP_SP3_Now_Available_via_Windows_Update Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2009, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:48:42 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif OSNews.com http://www.osnews.com I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?311960 http://osnews.com/thread?311960 It seems a task for me tomorrow is installing this on test systems to ensure it doesn't break our software... fun

If it does, our clients will not be happy bunnies. As we all know if an MS update breaks a piece of software then its not Microsoft's fault its the software maker...

Edit: this is assuming it was like SP2 wasEdited 2008-04-29 16:47 UTC Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:46:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Adurbe) Comments RE: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?311963 http://osnews.com/thread?311963 Microsoft goes to a great lengths to ensure compatibility and the Service Pack 3 has been available in various beta and release candidate versions for a long time. How about putting some pressure on other software vendors?

Having said that, good luck.Edited 2008-04-29 16:57 UTC Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:57:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (gonzo) Comments Still can't see it http://osnews.com/thread?311965 http://osnews.com/thread?311965 I must be going crazy or I've gone blind or something, I still can't see SP3 in either Download Center, nor Windows Update despite all sites claiming it's there.

Edit: Yes, the direct link works, just to be clear. ;) Edited 2008-04-29 17:23 UTC Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ekkio76) Comments RE[2]: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?311979 http://osnews.com/thread?311979 Having said that, I'm reading reviews all over about reboot loops, crashes, problems with open source apps, problem writing to the registry, uninstalls after long installs, and more.

So buyer beware. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Adam S) Comments Kaboom... http://osnews.com/thread?311980 http://osnews.com/thread?311980 It said "Installation Completed successfully, press finish to restart"

I think I didnt read the small letters where it was saying:

"And dont come back EVER... [evil-laugh]MHUAHUAHUA[/evil-laugh]"

(Writing from linux) Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (HangLoose) Comments RE[3]: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?311981 http://osnews.com/thread?311981 Yep, yep, yep...

+1 me on reboot statistics...

When I saw the first betas I thought "better wait for a FINAL"...

And yes, Im naive. ;) Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:21:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (HangLoose) Comments RE[2]: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?311982 http://osnews.com/thread?311982 Well it appears that Microsoft has found a ¨glitch¨ in one of their own products per CNet.

http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9931343-56.html?tag=nefd.lede

Ouch! Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:21:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ctl_alt_del) Comments RE[3]: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?311983 http://osnews.com/thread?311983
So buyer beware.


*shakes his fist and mumbles something about Server 2003* Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:25:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments why release SP3 now and then discontinue XP in June ? http://osnews.com/thread?311996 http://osnews.com/thread?311996 I don't understand why Microsoft is releasing Service Pack 3 now for XP considering that they won't be offering the product (XP) after June,

if they released it a year ago or so i'd understand but now ??? two months before XP's EOL.... odd

cheers
anyweb Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:03:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (anyweb) Comments Not yet http://osnews.com/thread?312001 http://osnews.com/thread?312001 [In french] :
http://www.01net.com/editorial/379148/le-sp3-de-windows-xp-rate-sa-...

Google translation :
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fww... Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:10:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (superman) Comments RE: why release SP3 now and then discontinue XP in June http://osnews.com/thread?312008 http://osnews.com/thread?312008 They will be providing full support ending sometime in 2009, and "OMG huge security hole!" patches until 2014.

So it makes perfect sense that they release a SP3 for XP.

The idea that SP3 will hurt Vista adoption is true, but if someone decides not to install Vista, and install XPSP3 instead, that doesn't hurt Microsoft a whole lot.

And before 2014 you can expect to see a Service Pack 4 or ala 2k - a large security rollup package.Edited 2008-04-29 19:56 UTC Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:55:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (chrono13) Comments failure... http://osnews.com/thread?312017 http://osnews.com/thread?312017 attempted to install on my macbook pro, it runs then fails saying there isn't enough room...

I've got 30 gigs free on my C Drive... how much freakin' room does it need? Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:35:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Devilotx) Comments windows update.. http://osnews.com/thread?312020 http://osnews.com/thread?312020 Still not there.. please remove this article until it's actually there and can be found on MS' website! Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:43:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Brunis) Comments RE: windows update.. http://osnews.com/thread?312023 http://osnews.com/thread?312023 Microsoft Delays XP SP3 Once Again :
http://www.crn.com/software/207403064 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:48:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (superman) Comments RE: failure... http://osnews.com/thread?312028 http://osnews.com/thread?312028 Make sure you install Apple's latest Boot Camp. Version 2.1 was released recently to make SP3 work. Here's the link: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bootcampupdate21forwindowsxp... I hope that helps. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:30:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (exigentsky) Comments Great http://osnews.com/thread?312029 http://osnews.com/thread?312029 I have been using it for a while (since msdn release) and I must say that the update went smoothly on all workstations. So simple and so easy. No hardware or software complains. I must say that this update is not as aggressive as SP2 in terms of features.

XP feels "snappier" after this update. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:34:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Chezz) Comments RE: why release SP3 now and then discontinue XP in June http://osnews.com/thread?312030 http://osnews.com/thread?312030 Because you paid for the original XP and you expect them to maintain it and update it until end of support. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:36:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Chezz) Comments WHAT'S THE BFD? http://osnews.com/thread?312038 http://osnews.com/thread?312038 I downloaded SP3 at 2:45 PM today, April 29, 2008, from the direct link given above. I saved it to my C: drive and run the installer. I had it installed and running by 3:30 PM. When the installer was done running, I had to restart the system just once. That was it! Everything is up and running without a problem. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:51:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (o0OSABO0o) Comments RE: Great http://osnews.com/thread?312045 http://osnews.com/thread?312045
XP feels "snappier" after this update.

That's called a placebo effect. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:41:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (segedunum) Comments RE[2]: failure... http://osnews.com/thread?312061 http://osnews.com/thread?312061 Thanks! Worked perfect post update... Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:03:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Devilotx) Comments RE[2]: Great http://osnews.com/thread?312062 http://osnews.com/thread?312062 or may be you need to stop taking any pills you're on and pay a little bit more attention. instead of being a l33t0 placebo boy who runs fancy linux ubber luvver disto

Taken from ars

"There are reportedly 1,073 fixes in SP3, as well as various performance improvements. "

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080429-microsoft-releases-th... Edited 2008-04-30 02:12 UTC Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:09:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Chezz) Comments RE: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?312067 http://osnews.com/thread?312067 XP SP2 wasn't really a service pack, it was pretty much a major revision. SP3 is pretty much a patch rollup, and some backported stuff from vista, so it should be closer to a normal MS service pack. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:31:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (google_ninja) Comments just 'works' ;) http://osnews.com/thread?312070 http://osnews.com/thread?312070 What can I say... it just works ;)

(phew)

Kidding aside, it took a long, long time to install on my laptop (so long that I just left my pc last night and went to bed), but apparently it installed just fine. I haven't noticed any hiccups yet (crossing my fingers, though). Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:49:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Dryhte) Comments RE: just 'works' ;) http://osnews.com/thread?312072 http://osnews.com/thread?312072 Same here, it took ages to install, and one reboot and it seemed fine.

It does use 320mb now just to run xfire, avast, and taskmanager.

There is a bit of disk thrashing too when the machine is not actually doing anything.....

I dont know what it is doing yet as I cannot find any processes that seem to be doing things.

Overall my first impression is that it has not hurt yet, but I am eyeing it with caution. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:38:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (raver31) Comments Strange http://osnews.com/thread?312073 http://osnews.com/thread?312073 I don't find it listed in my Windows Update - seems that it has been released only for a part of Windows XP users. However, thanks for the direct download link - I'll be trying it out shortly. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:38:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (rohandhruva) Comments Went great! http://osnews.com/thread?312074 http://osnews.com/thread?312074 The update was really smooth, and didn't take as much time as I was expecting. Good job, Microsoft (and this is coming from a die-hard linux user).

Thanks OSNews for the direct download link ;) Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:14:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (rohandhruva) Comments RE[3]: Great http://osnews.com/thread?312081 http://osnews.com/thread?312081
"There are reportedly 1,073 fixes in SP3, as well as various performance improvements. "


Microsoft say that all the time. Every new version of Windows is advertised as "faster", but they are invariably slower, except maybe in a few specific tasks which they use for marketing effect.

Having said that, there were some reports of SP3 having some noticeable speed improvements when the first betas began to appear, but having not heard anything since, I will wait until we see some independent benchmarks. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:28:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (mallard) Comments RE[3]: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?312082 http://osnews.com/thread?312082 yes gonzo, teo do a great length of testing, giving away the RC's to people who only want to have the latest an greatest. Not to in fact test the software.

Add the mentioned glitch and there you go -- they have trouble getting software to work.

Not exactly enterprise class work and that is exactly the reason every system integrator tests the software before release.

We all know that MS has bitten us many times. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:30:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (sgibofh) Comments RE[4]: Great http://osnews.com/thread?312084 http://osnews.com/thread?312084 Ars said that not Microsoft.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2007/11/26/windows-xp...

I guess you didnt read my post til the end. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:06:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Chezz) Comments Don't see it there http://osnews.com/thread?312093 http://osnews.com/thread?312093 Doesn't seem to be on Windows Update site yet Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:15:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (_mikk) Comments RE[2]: I hope it doesn't break our software... http://osnews.com/thread?312096 http://osnews.com/thread?312096 Have you ever done software testing? As in beyond 'Hello world'? Its a long an slow process which has to be done properly.

I have tested against RC1 which due to the size of our software was no small task! Just because I tested against an RC does not mean I now don't have to against the final version! I have to start again, from scratch.

All RC1 was good at showing me was that our software didnt require a rewrite (for that release) Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:41:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Adurbe) Comments It tanked on my Thinkpad http://osnews.com/thread?312111 http://osnews.com/thread?312111 Got a warning that installation failed, and that it was rolling back; after that, it said that the rollback failed, and that my system may become unstable. Then it rebooted on its own.

It did come back up though, and seemed to be fine. No SP3 though.

Interesting; the RC release ran fine under a VM, but obviously something quirky with the Thinkpad's hardware threw it off.

Bummer, it ran quite fast under the VM. And yes, there's definitely a noticeable speed difference between SP2 and SP3.....it's not a placebo effect. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:58:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (polaris20) Comments RE[3]: Great http://osnews.com/thread?312167 http://osnews.com/thread?312167
or may be you need to stop taking any pills you're on and pay a little bit more attention. instead of being a l33t0 placebo boy........

Blah, blah, blah, blah. You do know what placebo means right? Or are you just taking other peoples' words for the sake of it?

"There are reportedly 1,073 fixes in SP3, as well as various performance improvements. "

Which one, specifically, makes Windows XP 'snappier'? The 'various performance improvements' strap line is wheeled out for every release and service pack. It doesn't make Windows XP automagically faster.Edited 2008-04-30 17:34 UTC Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:24:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (segedunum) Comments RE[5]: Great http://osnews.com/thread?312170 http://osnews.com/thread?312170
Ars said that not Microsoft.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2007/11/26/windows-xp...

Hmmmm, no. They're repeating the Microsoft strap line that they put in all service pack blurbs.

Repeating some anecdotal and totally unverifiable observations from a bunch of bloggers means about as much as the initial comment you made. Unless they can explain what caused that supposed performance improvement, on one pretty meaningless benchmark, then it means zip. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:33:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (segedunum) Comments x64 http://osnews.com/thread?312575 http://osnews.com/thread?312575 X64 sp3 will not be released until June.
No word on when or if sp3 will be released for IA64 XP. I doubt anyone is looking for that one though. Fri, 02 May 2008 14:53:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (tzineos) Comments