Windows XP SP3 to hit automatic updates; includes 1,100 fixes

BLORGE.com ^ | April 29, 2008 | Jonathan Schlaffer

[CedarDave]

If you didn’t have your calendar marked this day (04/29/2008) is an important day; the third service pack for Windows XP has been released to Windows Update today. It may not be trickling down just yet but several sites have already posted manual updates that can be downloaded.

DailyTech reports that Microsoft hasn’t yet posted an official download for SP3 but BetaNews does have a download link that goes straight back to Windows Update.

Windows XP SP3 is more than just a regular Service Pack including more than 1,100 hotfixes/patches which has new features such as Network Access Protection and Black Hole Router detection.

SP3 will also bring new life into the operating system that so many are unwilling to give up for Windows Vista. Windows XP SP3 is roughly a 316MB download and will be hitting automatic updates later today or if you’re feeling more adventurous, can be manually downloaded right now. At least you won’t have to hunt down a shady source for the update any more.

[Crolis]

I just did a fresh reinstall on my PC with Windows XP Pro SP2, then the upgrade to SP3 yesterday. SO far the machine has been rock solid. Granted it's only a day, but I didn't encounter any headaches.

All my software is back on now, and things are pretty much humming along nicely. A lot of what SP3 has done is consolidate all the security updates since SP2.

There are a few under the hood changes, but nothing revolutionary in my opinion. Still, it does breathe new life into XP and that's a good things since it's my OS of choice.

Now my next step is installing Vista on my fiancee’s laptop. That may get a little tricky but I need to do it in order to learn to support Vista.

[LiteKeeper]

come back here

[TomGuy]

Where did you get your SP3?

I got one from MajorGeeks.com, but it errors out.

[JoeSixPack1]

316.44 meg downloading now..........

[Crolis]

I'm a subscriber to Microsoft Technet. They have a subscription plan called Technet Direct which allows you early access to updates and software for testing.

Since I work as a Windows admin and need to keep my skills up, it a good fit for me.

You can check it out here.

Incidently, I found a $100 coupon off the initial price of $349 from this article, although I think it's only good till May (not sure if that means May 1 or May 31).

[CedarDave]

Now my next step is installing Vista on my fiancee’s laptop. That may get a little tricky but I need to do it in order to learn to support Vista.

Why would you want to do that? You're just going to get her all PO'd at you unless you want to spend more time with her computer than with her!!

[Petronski]

Now my next step is installing Vista on my fiancee’s laptop.

Trying to get out of marrying her?

[CedarDave]

Since I work as a Windows admin and need to keep my skills up, it a good fit for me.

You answered my question above. But using her computer as a guinea pig wouldn't seem like a loving move to me! (grin!)

[JoeSixPack1]

I downloaded mine from Majorgeeks also after reading your post.

It downloaded, then installed and rebooted, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!!

Took about 30 mins and here I am. :-)

But funny, its now got a desktop background of Jackie Mason Boinking Pelosi!?!?! Geee.....

Not true, but it installed without a hitch. Piece of cake.

[CedarDave]

"Now my next step is installing Vista on my fiancee’s laptop."
Trying to get out of marrying her?

LMAO!

[Gertie]

Ping

[Man50D]

Thanks for the update.

[MediaMole]

Microsoft just announced that they have delayed SP3 due to a technical glitch.

http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9931343-56.html

[Crolis]

Good one guys. Well, she is interested in Vista, and I'm making sure I set up things to run as smoothly as possible. My main PC isn't anywhere near Vista certified, as it passed the 5 year mark in January, but her laptop is much more modern and originally came with Vista.

Believe me, I'm checking out every driver I'm going to put on the thing as well as the software loadout. I don't think she'll have too many problems — of course, it is Microsoft we're talking about.

[ThePythonicCow]

Similar announcement over on ZDNet.com:

---

April 29th, 2008

XP SP3 not generally available yet, after all

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 10:21 am

Microsoft has decided not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center as planned on April 29. The reason? A last-minute compatibility issue with a Microsoft application — Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).

Here’s the latest from a company spokesperson:

“I wanted to update you on today’s planned release to web (RTW) (of XP SP3). In the last few days, we have uncovered a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

“In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center.

“To help protect our customers, we plan to put filtering in place shortly to prevent Windows Update from offering both service packs to systems running Microsoft Dynamics RMS. Once filtering is in place, we expect to release Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Download Center.

“Until we have published a fix for this issue, we advise Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers to not install either service pack. Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers running Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 should contact Microsoft Customer Support Services for additional information.

“The fix is currently in testing and will be available as soon as that process is complete.”

That’s all we know so far. No new date as to when Microsoft will release XP SP3 to the Web. Microsoft released to manufacturing XP SP3 last week — and after outcry for its paying TechNet and Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers — released the update to them shortly thereafter.

I have to admit: I’m somewhat surprised Microsoft decided to delay the release of SP3 for RMS. RMS is a retail-chain-management app for small/midsize users. I know very few customers who are using it.

---

[js1138]

I installed a Beta version of SP3 on a bunch of computers about a month ago. So far I ran into only one glitch, and that was on newly built computer.

I installed SP3 before installing the driver for the built in sound card. After which, Windows wouldn’t recognize the sound card. I had to uninstall the service pack, install the driver, then reinstall SP3.

I’ve seen no bad side effects on any other computer.

[CedarDave]

ain’t touching this till there’s some feedback from folks w/sacrificial machines to beta the thing...ain’t touching this till there’s some feedback from folks w/sacrificial machines to beta the thing...

Based on the decision of MS to pull SP-3 from their download section and auto update, your admonition seems well founded.

[ShadowAce]

[ShadowAce]

Vista works fine once you turn off the unnecessary overhead junk and learn how to use it.

I have a question for you, then--I'm running Vista 64-bit with SP1. How do I install VMware Server so it will access the local host?

[dubie]

this site says it is delayed again...: http://www.crn.com/software/207403064

"Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) has decided to hold off on releasing Windows XP service pack 3 through Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center due to a glitch that affects one of its Dynamics products. The problem stems from a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and both XP SP3 and Vista SP1, a Microsoft spokesperson said in an email to ChannelWeb. Microsoft, which last week targeted Tuesday, April 29 for public distribution of XP SP3, is preparing to block PCs running Dynamics RMS from downloading XP SP3 and Vista SP1 through Windows Update and the Download Center, the spokesperson said."