Is SP3 nessasary or can you be safe without it???

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by cheater87, Oct 6, 2008.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. cheater87

    cheater87 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    Posts:
    3,295
    Location:
    Pennsylvania.
    Do you need to have SP3 or as long as you have updates for SP2 will you be oko_O One of my friends is worried about updating or not.
     
  2. FadeAway

    FadeAway Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2007
    Posts:
    270
    Location:
    USA
    My newest desktop has an AMD overclocked CPU on an MSI motherboard.
    Installing XP SP3 immediatedly causes system lock-ups and boot
    failures. I assume it is related to the problems discussed here:

    http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

    My other, older, machine also has an AMD processor, but the
    motherboard is different, the CPU isn't overclocked, and it
    works fine with SP3.

    Fortunately, I image the system partition regularly, so just
    dropped back to SP2 on the problem machine. I'm just not into
    going through all the trouble that my inexperience might bring
    if I try to solve the problem.

    That does not address your question directly, but is something to
    think about, depending on your friend's hardware configuration.

    I plan on sticking with SP2 for the foreseeable future, FWIW.
    Consider that there are experienced Wilders members who are
    still happily and safely running Win98 & Win2k.

    I will be interested in reading the comments of knowledgeable members
    regarding your specific question.
     
  3. farmerlee

    farmerlee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2006
    Posts:
    2,585
    As i understand it SP3 is basically just all the windows updates since SP2. I wouldn't say you need it however its a convenient way to update an old windows sp1/sp2 install.
     
  4. sooflymami

    sooflymami Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Posts:
    371
    Oh okay, since SP3 is not really necessary to install, I'm trying to cancel SP3. But the yellow bubble with the exclamation point logo comes up until I install it..What do I do if I dont want to get SP3? But I still want the yellow bubble to show next to the clock when there's another NEW update. I just do not want SP3 that's it.
     
  5. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Posts:
    102,628
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    This is how I got rid of the yellow shield for SP3:

    1. Click the Windows Update shield yellow icon in the Notification Tray
    2. Uncheck the box next to SP3 ONLY
    3. Click OK
    4. At the next window, check "Don't show me this update again"
    5. Click OK
    6. The yellow shield goes away until next month's Patch Tuesday!
     
  6. Infinite Luta

    Infinite Luta Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2008
    Posts:
    19
    Location:
    Illinois, USA
    Running XP SP2 should be fine for the time being since MS is still pushing out security hotfixes for it. Sometime down the road MS will retire SP2 and only release updates to SP3, but until then running SP2 is still perfectly viable.
     
  7. MrBrian

    MrBrian Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2008
    Posts:
    6,032
    Location:
    USA
    That date is July 13, 2010 - see Lifecycle Supported Service Packs.

    By the way, SP3 is more than just SP2+all Windows updates. SP3 includes some new features, and also includes fixes that were previously available only as hotfixes. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480 for a list of fixes in SP3.
     
  8. MrBrian

    MrBrian Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2008
    Posts:
    6,032
    Location:
    USA
    Another factor to consider: Microsoft's free installation support for SP3 ends April 2009.
     
  9. jonyjoe81

    jonyjoe81 Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    Posts:
    829
    All I have is sp2. And have no plans on updating.

    1.firewall (zonealarm)
    2.antivirus (avg free)
    3.firefox 3.0
    4.returnil when surfing the internet

    Do not use internet explorer and 90 percent of your security problems are gone.

    That's all I use and have had no spyware/virus problems in years. When I stopped using internet explorer all my problems went away and haven't came back.

    If in doubt, "don't update to sp3".
     
  10. sooflymami

    sooflymami Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Posts:
    371
    After I click on the Windows Update shield yellow icon, am I supposed to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install" and then click install button? In order to do those things..Which one?
     
  11. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Posts:
    102,628
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    sooflymami, perhaps this pictorial will help you. I have attached 3 pictures that correspond to the numbers below.

    1. Click on the Windows Update yellow shield, the first picture opens with SP3 checked. Notice that the button says DOWNLOAD.
    2. Uncheck SP3 and the button turns to CLOSE (see second picture).
    3. Click Close and a prompt box opens (see third picture). Check Don't show me this update again and click OK.
    The yellow shield disappears for now, however, it will come back if there are any new updates, either for Windows Defender or the monthly Tuesday patches from Microsoft. I hope this made it a little clearer.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. sooflymami

    sooflymami Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Posts:
    371
    I don't see those screen shots after I click on the Windows Update Yellow shield..Here is the screen shot of what's showing after I click on it..

    http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w55/Postalfan87/?action=view&current=update.jpg
     
  13. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Posts:
    102,628
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    Click on Custom Install and hopefully, you should see the screenshot as my first picture. Let me know.
     
  14. sooflymami

    sooflymami Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Posts:
    371
    Ok thanks so much! I just did what you sent it to me on the screen shot. So next time when there's new updates, the yellow shield will still pop up so I will know that there's new updates?
     
  15. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Posts:
    102,628
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    sooflymami, you're welcome! Yes, whether it is a Windows Defender update or an update from Microsoft (normally on the second Tuesday of every month), the yellow shield will pop up letting you know there's an update.
     
  16. sooflymami

    sooflymami Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Posts:
    371
    Does that mean that for example, next time when SP4 comes out, the yellow shield will still show up on my screen next to the clock as well?
     
  17. cheater87

    cheater87 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    Posts:
    3,295
    Location:
    Pennsylvania.
    Cans he still do express updates after thiso_O
     
  18. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Posts:
    102,628
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    sooflymami, I doubt if there will be a Service Pack 4 for Win XP since Windows 7 is coming out next year, but ANY update from Microsoft will trigger the yellow shield to appear in the Notification Tray area.
     
  19. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Posts:
    102,628
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    cheater87, the difference between Express Install and Custom Install is:

    1. Express Install - you never see what you are installing. You're taking Microsoft's word on what you need to install.
    2. Custom Install - you will see each and every update that Microsoft wants you to download and they are all checked by default so.. if you want to install them all, do not uncheck any of them and just click Download; the same as Express Install!
    In answering sooflymami's original question ("What do I do if I dont want to get SP3?"), since Windows Update was modified to show SP3 (there was no other way to see it, unless Custom Install was selected), from now on, she should see a list of updates but as long as she follows the #2 instructions above, she will install ALL the updates.

    I prefer this method to review what Microsoft is pushing, rather than take them at their word that I need all the updates, when I know that some of the updates have created problems in the past. That's just my opinion.
     
  20. virtumonde

    virtumonde Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2008
    Posts:
    504
    Indeed,in my case after sp3 i couldn't get any other updates,not to mention previous nvidia troubles in the past.Anyway insted of beeing concerned you can transform situation like this in something easy with a reliable imaging program.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.