Windows XP SP3 automatic updates kick off tomorrow
Potential mass mayhem looms
AS ANNOUNCED previously by Microsoft, automatic updates for Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will be launched Thursday, July 10 2008, starting at 10:00 am Pacific Time.
For most Windows XP users who haven't already manually downloaded and applied SP3, the automatic update process should work properly. After all, Microsoft has had almost three months to test, tweak and polish it since it was first released.
Microsoft's Automatic Updates process should know about and scan for configurations that are problematic, and prevent the Windows XP SP3 update installation process from proceeding if it detects a troublesome situation.
However, if there's any hiccough in the automatic update process, your computer could become unusable. Therefore, certain technical advisors recommend using Microsoft's Automatic Updates facility only to provide notification that the update is available, then applying it manually. They caution that you should also take care to follow Microsoft's service pack pre-installation instructions, including:
- Disable antivirus programs,
- Make sure no other applications are running,
- Have your system plugged in during the update, that is, not on battery power, and
- Make sure that you have sufficient free space available on your system's hard disk.
You can make certain that the Windows Automatic Update facility doesn't attempt to, er... automatically update your system by using Microsoft's Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit, and that's available here.
Should you find that Windows XP SP3 causes problems on your system, instructions on how to remove it are available here.
Hopefully you won't need to use that, but as always with Microsoft, you never know. µ
See Also
Fix
arrives for AMD machines attacked by XP SP3
HP
tells AMD desktop users to sit tight on SP3
XP
SP3 crashes AMD machines
XP
SP3, Vista SP1 finally arrive
XP
SP3 delayed by retailer glitch
Windows
XP SP3 is released
Comments
The Enemy
As the famous philosopher Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and he is us".Or maybe a better quote from the Vietnam war, "We going to save those people if we have to kill them to do it".
Damn microsoft
Disable anti-virus program.... of course Windows is THE virus
No network after SP3
After installing SP3, interent devices on my desktop vanished. And I have onboard LAN, extra ethernet card and wireless card. Not one of them is detected. Even after reverting back to SP2, the same situation continues. Since I use windows only for gaming, tt sucks badly because I can't connect to steam, no multiplayer option. And I have to reboot to linux if I want to find some online help when stuck in a game. I will wait for Diablo-3 for xp reinstallationLol on Diablo 3 wait
Just figured i'd mention, to wait on Diablo 3 to have XP installed, you might as well just get whatever new windows will be out in 2015... cuz its going to be a LOOOOONG wait :DChaos will reign another day
Considering SP3 seems to contain mostly previously released updates and rollups I can't see this being much of a hiccup for most. I've since installed SP3 on over 60 machines with no issues so far. Here's hoping anyhow...fresh install
Still a joke:Complete format and fresh install.
Intel board and cpu. Downloaded the latest version. BAM wouldn't let me install any other updates.
All failed .
Uninstaled SP3. Everything downloaded and worked great after that.
Can't install updates after SP3 installation
I've been having the same issues over and over again when installing SP3.First I do a clean XP install and run Windows Update (WU from now on), which installs a couple of updates.
The next time round WU only shows one update available, SP3, which I install. After that it's impossible to install any of the 8-9 updates that become available after the SP3 installation (it is possible to download and install them manually, but in the long run it's a pain).
The only way I've been able to repair this is by uninstalling SP3, running WU which strangely lets you install those 8-9 post-SP3 updates (probably because they have been downloaded), and then running WU again which will install SP3.
From this point on, everything runs smooth with updates being installed flawlessly.
This hasn't only happened on my computer, but on every single computer I've been building.
There must be an easier way of doing things (integrating SP3 on the XP CD?).
My workload in just going to increase when clients start calling me in to repair their systems after the automatic update kicks in...
XP SP3 application compatibility
We have just set up an Application Compatibility Lab using our product AOK. Unlike many earlier Service Packs the findings are pretty good. Results on http://www.changebase.com/docs/AOK-XPSP3-study.pdfIf you are interested,
If you have a problem application we would be happy to test it and try and fix it for you free of charge - and publish the results on this forum. john.tate@changebase.com