Re: Is WinXP Sp3 update necessary?

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Roy wrote:
On Mar 16, 1:03 pm, "Daave" <dcwashNOS...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There may not be any difference at all. And your way could very well
be much quicker. The best-practices method is the most foolproof
one. But if you want to install the update you downloaded, go for
it. Just remember you don't want any pesky programs running that may
interfere with the installation. And make sure the only things
connected to your PC are the mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

It's also a good idea to back up your data (then again, it's
*always* a good idea to do that). Personally, I prefer to make an
image of C:.

Your PC is not one of those weird HP ones, is it? I'm referring to
the problem discussed here:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/07/does-your-a...

Keep us posted!


I am still wary of following the update, I am unsure if many of the
older softwares installed in that PC would still function after the
SP3 is installed. It?s still murky to me if there is an easy way to
uninstall the SP3 once its installed or will the system restore be
able to resolve it and get back to its former glory?
Its rather messy reinstalling the OS if anything goes wrong and I have
no time for it now with my favorite PC which I used for my work most
of the time.
I just want an easy way out that is why I want to learn as much
information about past experience of other people. If the installation
will likely cause problems then better postpone it until I feel
satisfied with my knowledge about the spectrum of ramifications

With all the information provided I have stil to make further
consideration about the niche softwares installed whom I have never
been aware if their drivers were updated. or were they made ready for
SP3?
One of those guys who cautioned me about the Sp3 update was sharing
the same experience that two of his softwares useful for his work
won?t function anymore. And unfortunately the reinstallation of the
softwares with the SP3 did make the software problematic.
What he did was he reformatted his drive and reinstalled everything
was back to the glory of Winxp Sp2.
I have to think about it further, but anyway If I go with the
installation I will let you know how it goes?
Thanks for your generous comments, but still eager to hear more
feedbacks related to this topic.

I understand your trepidation, Roy, but seriously, if someone does the
necessary legwork prior to the upgrade, the odds are over 99% that it
will be successful. Are there certain programs that might not work with
SP3? Perhaps a handful. I wouldn't let that stop you from the upgrade.
Besides, you'll learn immediately if that's the case or not.

If you want to uninstall SP3, it's just a matter of using Control Panel
| Add or Remove Programs (make sure the "Show updates" box is checked).
Windows System Restore is another method. Just make sure there are no
pesky programs like Norton or Zone Alarm that may interfere with it.
Then again, if you image your drive beforehand, that is the best way to
go. Then if you want or need to, all you need to do is restore the image
and everything will be as it was. If you don't have Acronis True Image
(my favorite), you may use a freebie called DriveImageXML:

http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Is WinXP Sp3 update necessary?
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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • I experienced the same situtation
    ... Most likely after installation of SP3 ... uninstall all usb device and restart ... since USB connectivity is constantly disrupted. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: WUD or MUD repeatedly tells me that there are no available upd
    ... I could not uninstall SP3 because the uninstaller could not ... how to uninstall and of the 4 methods, ... uninstall it and enable the Windows Firewall at this point! ... It may take 1-2 hours for the installation to complete so ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: Is WinXP Sp3 update necessary?
    ... Slow boot up time.. ... Then when the installation is complete I ... Before the SP3 installation, the boot up time was just slightly above ... restore your most recent image. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: SP3 and beethov9 silliness
    ... I DID RESOLVE this SP3 installation on a XP Home PC using a suggestion from ... Log on as Administrator in SAFE MODE. ... If you disable a third-party firewall, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)