7 replies to this topic

[dar_tana]

I had no idea this was coming. I remember back when Service Pack 2 came out people said that you shouldn't get it until a bunch of the kinks were worked out (I guess that was the same with Vista). Does anyone have any insight into whether I should install this or not? Any information about whether it's truly worth it or not?
I had no idea they were even making a Service Pack 3.

[Armitage]

I can tell you that i have seen good and bad results from installing SP3. some computers take SP# no problem and actually you see a small improvement in performance. other units....well lets just say they have a drastic opposite effect, as in BSOD on every boot and even doing a manual registry hive replacement doesn't cure them. so you are left with doing a data backup with another machine and then reloading windows. the trend that i have seen tho, is that most of the time higher end systems don't see, to have a problem going to sp3, its some of the older systems that seem to really die when you update them, but this isn't like a solid 100%, i have seen high end units go down from sp3. so honestly update at your own risk, just make sure you do backup before hand.

[Stoned Hatter]

I can tell you that i have seen good and bad results from installing SP3. some computers take SP# no problem and actually you see a small improvement in performance. other units....well lets just say they have a drastic opposite effect, as in BSOD on every boot and even doing a manual registry hive replacement doesn't cure them. so you are left with doing a data backup with another machine and then reloading windows. the trend that i have seen tho, is that most of the time higher end systems don't see, to have a problem going to sp3, its some of the older systems that seem to really die when you update them, but this isn't like a solid 100%, i have seen high end units go down from sp3. so honestly update at your own risk, just make sure you do backup before hand.

i got a windows sp3 vista acting kinda lol off www.piratebay.org


it looks like vista but runs like xp uses about 256 mg of ram and runs great sofar

[Bumblebee]

I tried the SP3 beta pack and man.. everything was great except one thing... i couldnt connect to the internet.... dont ask me how it just wouldnt. Uninstalled and my pc ran perfect again. who knows...

[pusadolfo]

actually sp3 finally resolved some problems i had when i tried to hibernate, so far so good

[Scroll_Lock88]

Well seeing as how Service pack 3 is basically just a security update pack so you dont have to install a sh*t ton of updates after updating to service pack 2.


I have installed it on many countless machines not a single problem. Those that are saying they are losing and/or gaining performance are full of sh*t, microsoft did nothing to really improve windows XP in service pack 3. It's basically just a giant security update pack. They did a few other minor things that are as follows:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 will not include any major new features, but it will include four minor new features that improve the system's reliability and security. Contrary to reports, Microsoft has been very up-front about these functional additions for quite some time now.

These new features include:

Network Access Protection compatibility. Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.

Product Key-less install option. As with Windows Vista, new XP with SP3 installs can proceed without entering a product key during Setup.

Kernel Mode Cryptographics Module. A new kernel module that "encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms," according to Microsoft.

"Black hole" router detection algorithm. XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets. This, too, is a feature of Windows Vista.

And that's about it. Nothing dramatic, as promised.

Losing network access, obviously since you said service pack 3 BETA, you can put two and two together and realize "hey, maybe it's exclusive to the beta" Seriously, when you install beta software you will get issues.

[Scroll_Lock88]

And let me add, why the hell are you installing the BETA for service pack 3? When the full version is out? That's like downloading a Camera rip of the latest and greatest movie that just came out on blue-ray/DVD.

[matthew0155]

works great for me..