Microsoft XP SP3

Correct,Pete

Windows Secrets,who took over the Langa Letter say June 30 for retail and Jan 09 or longer for OEM,so if you are able to buy OEM,looks like there is plenty of time.

 

MS have stated for some time now that hardware manufacturers (OEMs) will be permitted to pre-install XP up until 30th June this year, while smaller 'system builders' will additionally have until 31st January 2009.

 

From Windows Factor:

http://windowsfactor.com/ and

original source:

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=521

Surprised to see that SP3 will also be available in integrated format, if that is true!!!

 

A probable bug in the current SP3 beta is that CPU temperature indicators commonly used ,such as Core Temp,will likely report temperatures 15c or so higher than the actual,as measured using SP2
Lets hope its fixed- a bit of a shock at first.
Seems the temp sensors become stuck.

Another new issue is problems in shutting down-the"It is now safe to shutdown your computer" error

 

Looks like it'll be April as most news sources seem to be saying although I did see one claiming today of all days (see here). As if Microsoft would release such a huge update on a public holiday!

 

I'm hearing from our MS Account Rep that the SP3 RTM is now scheduled for around mid-April.

 

The digital signature of the so called RC2 Refresh downloaded today is still at 12 Feb 2008. I don't think it is a refresh, unless the real refresh has not yet been uploaded to the server.

 

here: check Post #5

 

Thanks a million!!! I didn't read the "RC2 Refresh via Windows update" carefully. My fault... And thanks for the download link, coming down the pipes now.

 

Windows XP Service Pack 3 RC2
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.

I prefer to wait for Windows XP Service Pack 3 RC2

 

me too,
for a refresh I suggest a shower or some deodorant

 

As mentioned before,the current SP3 has a few minor issues on my system,but absolutely nothing dramatic-so lets not get carried away too much.

I think all those expecting something major are going to wonder what all the fuss was about-its just a consolidation of previous updates plus some specialized new ones, which have had no effect on speed

I'm running it as my main OS generally satisfactorily.

 

So my conclusion is then its not worth the upgrade,my current rigs are already flying and tuned to perfection,so why bother with.........

 

Huupi,

Could well be the case in my experience,unless you need one of the new SP3 updates,which may or may not be available with SP2.

A few specialised driver adjustments were necessary also.

I see no advantage at all in my case,but installed SP3 as a necessary repair reinstall instead of SP2.

SP2 would have required a massive 101mb of updates and of course the attempted SP2 reinstall wouldnt update at all,as is usual according to Murphys Law !!

If your SP2 is fine tuned I would assume some adjustments would have to be made with SP3.

 

Offcourse Hairy i know myself as ever curious i should install it anyway as soon its out of beta.[april ?]

My idea is to create a special FDISR snapshot and watch how its going or dump the whole SP3 in Sandboxie and watch from there,either way i'm just curious to know if there is any benefit in it. But i don't expect much.

 

Hi,

Nice to hear that SP3 has a newer build, but..

the word "refresh" scares me of the ..., does that mean all SP3's previous releases are dirty as they could be ?

No wonder it crashed one of laptops when making a switch from sp2 to sp3 last time, but I did not know those releases were that stingy.

What would happen to current release, if next one is termed as re-refresh ?

I would wait until it(sp3) has retained its own body odour without help of any refreshing apparatus.

 

Huupi

Totally agree,my minor problems may solely relate to it being an RC.

My only point is that in my experience,I didnt find any difference for all practical purposes to running SP2.

Dont think you have to do anything drastic like sandboxing it-its definitely not a bomb

It probably will be necessary in any case to update to SP3,as I should imagine SP2 updates may cease.

You could quite safely do a FDISR install now,the worst would be you just had to delete the snapshot

EDIT: I downloaded SP3 and slipstreamed it with i386 etc for an easy install.

I used Autostreamer,which is even simpler to use than nLite,but doesnt have any options


here

 

Well, at this point any of us can only speculate or draw comparisons from results of the release candidate, but be advised too, these Service Packs seem to hold a history of offering more in the way of realized improvements/security at final release.

Although like and unlike others, i'm not knocking over any chairs just to get to test the RC but instead am content to let the hasty one's have at it for awhile first and then review their findings and/or satisfactions or lack thereof.

 

Hi Easter it would be nice if we can learn from each other experiences,myself included and don't let it hang on to only Hairy's investigation's !!

Afterall you have the arsenal[FDISR,SBIE and Paragon] to test it yourself.

 

More info (and a slide-show)... http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2278994,00.asp

 

From Windows Connected:

http://windowsconnected.com/blogs/j...15/possible-windows-xp-sp3-release-dates.aspx

 

Further possible information from here:

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=534&pgno=0

 

JUst the Home version.
Pro version only until 30 JUne 2008.