Computer help: Xp Service Pack 3
Xp Service Pack 3
by skippydoodle2 - 9/26/08 7:29 PMI run XP home on my Computer..do I need XP SP 3?? I'm all up to date on all my previous updates. I've heard pros and cons on installing it..what does everybody else think?? Thanks!
Yes
by Jimmy Greystone - 9/26/08 7:34 PM In reply to: Xp Service Pack 3 by skippydoodle2Yes. Service packs and other security related updates should be considered MANDATORY.
SP3
by groovyinutah - 10/3/08 11:08 PM In reply to: Yes by Jimmy GreystoneI always wait a bit before I d-load the SP Remond puts out just to see what kind of chaos ensues. So I finally got SP3 and the ONLY noticeble effect is that StyleXP no longer works. So I went searching around for a fix and that just turned into more hassle then it was worth. Another instance of microsofts software not being affected while 3rd party programs that do the same thing are rendered useless.
XP Service Pack 3
by Marlene39 - 9/26/08 8:09 PM In reply to: Xp Service Pack 3 by skippydoodle2I am running XP pro, like you are and I know too many people that ran into a lot of trouble with SP3. I done a lot of reading on this subject and maybe is you are really good with computers and a problem arises,you can fix it,
I am not loading SP3 I was told if you have all the other updates ,you should be fine, I will not chance messing up pc more than normal,Out of 10 people who loaded it, 7 have problems,Not worth it in my estimation,
Disagree! So Far, I've Loaded It On 50+ Computers...
by Grif Thomas
- 9/26/08 8:24 PM
In reply to: XP Service Pack 3 by Marlene39
...and had no problems at all. Home computers, customer's computers, and work computers all have done just fine.. As with all service packs, the key is making sure you "prepare" the computer for the installation.. In my case, I clean out all the junk files, run a number of spyware and virus scans to make sure the computer is clean, run Error Checking/Chkdsk and defrag, and if using an HP computer with an AMD processor, I then install the required update that HP supplies. And when all of that's done, I restart the computer, turn off all antivirus/antispyware programs that are running realtime, then install the standalone/full installer from the link below. (After downloading the full file from the link below, I burn a copy to a CD so I can use it later, if need be.) I DON'T use the online installation.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&displaylang=en
And one thing to remember if you choose not to install SP3.. As occurs with all other service packs from Microsoft, eventually you wont' be able to update your computer till you've install the most recent service pack which in this case, is SP3..
Hope this helps.
Grif
As Always
by Jairman - 9/26/08 8:34 PM In reply to: Disagree! So Far, I've Loaded It On 50+ Computers... by Grif Thomas
Thanks for the info, you're very helpful and pleasant to work with.
I am a computer novice... I have XP Media Center Edition on a Dell XPS 410, right now I have SP2.
I too have read all the horror stories about SP3. I'm afraid to try it.
I run ZoneAlarm and AVG, I was told that I should turn those off before installing. I guess it's safe?
Also, the link you provided above for DL'ing SP3, says its not for installing on one machine... still ok to use?
Thanks,
The LinkI Posted Is Fine...
by Grif Thomas - 9/27/08 5:02 PM
In reply to: As Always by Jairman
It's a large download, about 316 MB, so you'll need a fast, broadband connection to make the download worth it.. Still, the fully downloaded file is designed to allow IT folks to do exactly what I've described.. Download the entire file, save it to a network location or burn it to a CD, then install it on multiple computers. It will work just fine when installing it on a single computer..
Hope this helps.
Grif
installing SP 3 and help with problem with computer
by Marlene39 - 9/27/08 7:20 PM In reply to: The LinkI Posted Is Fine... by Grif Thomas
I am running a SYSTEMAX PC from TIGER DIRCT I think its a HP. It has a intel pentium d 3.20G. Reason I put that in is that usually Hp run on AMD. This I am sure of, as I ran belarc advisor, and it has everything in computer,
I think the first time the SP 3 was offered,I downloaded it and it would not finish,
I had so many problems with pc, its 18 months old and had 4 hard drives put in it, thank goodness I have insurance on it,
all I am running in my startup by clock is Mcafee Security Suite,from AOL and ACTIVE SPEED. and AOL. I disabled my Mcafee before installing SP 3 and it started and just went away, I am 86 per cent empty, so I have room for anything,
ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED,
I aslo have another problem,I am new here so if I am in wrong place just let me know and tell me where to go on this
When I start my PC it loads windows ,every thing in startup is loaded, and it depends on temperment of pc, my mouse will FREESE,I cannot use my REBOOT button, I have to do a hard turnoff from machine,wait 2 minutes and restart pc, It starts over ,usually good for awhile,Got to point that is leave screen on always,will not let it got to sleep if I am not using it,I could be in the middle of something and it just freezes up again, I got no ERRORS of any kind and no blue screen of death, Does anyone have any idea what is causing this,or just help me on explaining to my COMPUTER HELP ON PHONE what to say,I am calling MONDAY on this, thanks Marlene
No simple answers
by andrewsjd - 10/4/08 5:26 AM In reply to: installing SP 3 and help with problem with computer by Marlene39The kinds of problems you are facing can have multiple causes from a hardware issue (memory? mouse driver?) to conflicting programs starting up and it may be the cause of your problem installing sp3 as well. It's tough to deal with all the possibilities in a forum like this, but if it was my computer I would probably start with shutting down one startup program at a time (through startup programs using msconfig), and if that didn't work take it to an expert - or an expert friend.
I did it...
by Jairman - 9/28/08 8:44 AM In reply to: Jairman, if it make you feel better by PudgyOneWoke up this morning and straight to the PC. In the system tray was the little yellow shield telling me an update was available. Yup, SP3 was ready.
I scanned my system with AVG, and ran Ccleaner. Closed all running programs and clicked the update.
It only took about 15 minutes and everything went fine. I restarted the PC, it logged right in and everything is running normally.
Thanks CNET Forums. Great advice on this site.
Afraid to turn of AVG
by Ol Rod - 9/29/08 7:07 PM In reply to: As Always by JairmanWhen I go to do stuff in my computer that requires to turn off Anti-Virus, etc, I get all my downloading completed, then just before turn off any security, I reach behind the computer and unplug the wire that connects me to internet. While you are unplugged, it is safe to run with no antivirus. Then, be sure your AVG is working again before you plug your connection wire back in.
Grif, your experience is not typical
by john3347 - 10/4/08 7:45 AM In reply to: Disagree! So Far, I've Loaded It On 50+ Computers... by Grif Thomas
Probably due to your skill level in "preparing" more than 50 computers for SP3, you have had no problems. Your experience, though, is not the experience of the more typical computer user. I, and most other home users that I know, have had great difficulties with the installation of SP3. I have installed SP3 on 4 computers and 3 of them had to be formatted and windows reinstalled. SP3 installs smoothly on a fresh windows installation but is not friendly with many, many applications. SP3 appears to have come from the same "cubicle" that Vista came from. Very, very buggy!!!
That's The Point.... Sorry About Your Experiences But...
by Grif Thomas - 10/4/08 6:56 PM
In reply to: Grif, your experience is not typical by john3347
The "typical computer user" needs to learn to spend a little extra time when installing such service packs. I understand that you've had problems with the machines you've attempted to update to SP3 but our IT department has installed SP3 on literally thousands of machines (The government agency I work for have approx 10,000 computers), and few have such issues AS LONG AS the machines are prepared and cleaned up before hand. In our experiences, the problems arise from those computers which are infected and haven't been maintained in the first place.
Prior to installation on each of the computers I have personally updated to SP3, I performed a number of steps which took an hour or more to finish. It takes longer to prepare the computer than to install SP3. I cleaned out the junk files, uninstalled any unwanted programs, (especially P2P programs), made sure all Windows and Office Updates were installed, ran a virus and spyware scan, then ran defrag and Chkdsk.. And on those computers which required AMD patches or other patches, I installed those.. And in order to install the service pack, we use the full, downloadable file to install from.. NOT the online installer.
Hope this helps.
Grif
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