XP SP3

[Blazer]

is this the official sp3 download

http://www.microsoft.com/downl...4a720aa&DisplayLang=en

 

[Mem]

No,RC is like beta so not final.

This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software.

.

 

[corkyg]

To answer your question, yes, it is the official site for the download. However, it is RC1-Beta. It is actually pretty good. I installed it yesterday and it has no outward and visible difference - everything runs AOK. It rolls up the critical updates since SP2 and puts in a few new wrinkles.

"Features backported from Vista, said NeoSmart, include Network Access Protection (NAP), an enterprise policy enforcement technology that inspects client PCs before they access a corporate network, then updates the machines if necessary or blocks them if they don't meet specified security criteria.

"Other additions range from a kernel module containing several encryption algorithms that can be accessed by third-party developers, to a new Windows activation model that doesn't require users to enter a product key.

"Microsoft had previously announced SP3 support for NAP, which is part of Windows Vista and will be included in the not-yet-finalized Windows Server 2008.

"Windows XP SP3, which Microsoft has said will be released early in 2008, will be one more move by the developer to extend the lifespan of the six-year-old operating system. Last month, for example, Microsoft gave Windows XP a five-month reprieve by pushing back the end of retail sales and sales of XP-powered PCs by large resellers to June 30, 2008.

"And last week, Microsoft debuted a new "get-legal" program that lets companies purchase large quantities of Windows XP Professional licenses through their usual resellers."

 

[Blazer]

was suprised that it showed up at the MS site, it also didnt mention it was beta but only reffered to RC1, so i downloaded and installed as i trusted the site, i was concerned about the other links that showed up elsewhere and didnt feel good with those downloads sites, just wanted to make sure. thanks

 

[corkyg]

It's safe. The installation provides for an easy uninstall and includes a restore point should you decide to dump it. Most of the time, when the final version comes out, you have to uninstall the RC1 before you can put in the final SP3. It's no biggie.

 

[Arkaign]

Will there be a retail and/or OEM XP SP3 CD release?

If so, will it include modern SATA drivers integrated?

 

[Blazer]

to answer the Cd thing, yes when its officially released we will be able to get the cd.

after appling the downloaded file windows had no updates available so that showed it was current, want to create the slipstreamed cd for a future "fresh install'.
Thanks all

 

[htne]

Originally posted by: blazer
to answer the Cd thing, yes when its officially released we will be able to get the cd.

after appling the downloaded file windows had no updates available so that showed it was current, want to create the slipstreamed cd for a future "fresh install'.
Thanks all

If you create a slipstreamed cd with SP3, and install XP from that cd, you will not be able to uninstall this RC when the final is released. And it is very unclear as to whether you will be able to install the release version of SP3 over this RC version. My best guess is that you will not be able to do so.

 

[corkyg]

That's true. The best thing is to wait for the final version before slipstreaming. By then, it should also be available from Microsoft as a ISO file already slipstreamed on TechNet/MSDN. (If you are a subscriber.)

 

[Blazer]

the intention was to wait for the official release, so the slipstream was for future development

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Will there be a retail and/or OEM XP SP3 CD release?

If so, will it include modern SATA drivers integrated?

It's not as if you cannot make a slipstreamed copy yourself.

 

[corkyg]

Eureka! I found a bug in XP SP3 RC1. Been running it for a couple of days and found that my Wacom Graphire mouse's scroll wheel would not work all of a sudden. Hmmmm!

I unstalled SP3 RC1 and it now works perfectly again.

Can't find a way to report it - I don't think Microsoft really gives a damn.

We'll now wait and see what happens with the final version. I recall seeing a tablet driver being installed - that may have something to do with it.

 

[jonmcc33]

I've never even heard of that mouse before...

 

[Nocturnal]

SP3 is supposed to speed up folder load times but not for me. I have a folder filled with thousands of MP3s and the load time was the same if not slower than before installing SP3 for myself.

Weird.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33
I've never even heard of that mouse before...

Never fear - its real - been using Wacom products for over 5 years.

Wacom

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Nice of Microsoft to backport more features and security enhancements to XP. I love this OS - it freaking works. :thumbsup:

 

[stash]

Can't find a way to report it - I don't think Microsoft really gives a damn.

Doesn't the XP RC put the "How to Share Feedback" link on the desktop? All the Vista betas/RCs/etc did/do that.

Anyway, post your feedback on the XP SP3 RC feedback forum: http://forums.microsoft.com/Te...ForumID=2010&SiteID=17

Yes, the product group does actually read and respond there.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: stash
Anyway, post your feedback on the XP SP3 RC feedback forum: http://forums.microsoft.com/Te...ForumID=2010&SiteID=17 Yes, the product group does actually read and respond there.

Thanks, Stash. I did do that, and I "subscribed" to the post as well. I also reported it to Wacom - maybe they need to start working on a new driver.

The good news is that uninstalling RC1 solved the problem. That' a pretty good indicator of its nature.

 

[Dadofamunky]

It would be freakin' nice if they finally integrated SATA support.

 

[Blazer]

Originally posted by: Dadofamunky
It would be freakin' nice if they finally integrated SATA support.

i have been using sata drives and never had to install sata drivers [outside of raid], sata is nothing more than an IDE drive using a diff type interface.

 

[Nocturnal]

Ever since the A8N series motherboards I've never had a problem when installing Windows as far as having to use a floppy to install the SATA controller driver.

 

[MichaelD]

RE: New Windows Activation Module

How will this effect Corporate copies that previously didn't require activation? I run a legal corporate copy of XP provided by my work. Never had to activate before.

I've slipstreamed the RVMUpdate package (all the updates from SP2 release to Nov 07) into my existing copy, but SP3 would be a nice addition for sure.

Anyone running a Corp copy and apply SP3 yet?

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
RE: New Windows Activation Module

How will this effect Corporate copies that previously didn't require activation? I run a legal corporate copy of XP provided by my work. Never had to activate before.

I've slipstreamed the RVMUpdate package (all the updates from SP2 release to Nov 07) into my existing copy, but SP3 would be a nice addition for sure.

Anyone running a Corp copy and apply SP3 yet?

I wonder if by 'windows activation module' they mean a new version of WGA.

Aren't the 'corporate copies' really enterprise licenses with X number available?

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: MichaelD
RE: New Windows Activation Module

How will this effect Corporate copies that previously didn't require activation? I run a legal corporate copy of XP provided by my work. Never had to activate before.

I've slipstreamed the RVMUpdate package (all the updates from SP2 release to Nov 07) into my existing copy, but SP3 would be a nice addition for sure.

Anyone running a Corp copy and apply SP3 yet?

I wonder if by 'windows activation module' they mean a new version of WGA.

Aren't the 'corporate copies' really enterprise licenses with X number available?

Hmm, good question. WGA=spyware, and I've never allowed it to install on my home system.

We run WSUS at work, so I choose what updates get installed or not. Obviously, I deleted WGA the day it hit the WSUS server. I've read about it, but never dealt w/it.

I'd hate to install SP3 only to find out that activation is now mandatory and I've got 30 days to do so else the system goes into "reduced functionality mode" ala Vista.

And I'll believe that "it's uninstallable" when I see it for sure w/my own two peepers.

 

[stash]

I'd hate to install SP3 only to find out that activation is now mandatory and I've got 30 days to do so else the system goes into "reduced functionality mode" ala Vista.

I don't know for sure since I haven't been following XP dev for awhile, but that's unlikely. Vista SP1 will remove reduced functionality, so it wouldn't make sense to add it to XP in SP3.