Windows XP SP3 on Automatic Updates

[bill]

I noticed that when updating some machines yesterday that XP SP3 is now included in Automatic Updates. If you do an Express Install of the updates you'll end up with SP3. If you do a Custom Install then you can still opt out of SP3.

[Robert Charlton]

Where are we with SP3? I've been holding off on it until I solve a problem with my external backup clone drives.

[Hester]

Downloading it now via a manual update. 66Mb! Here we go.

[Hester]

OMG. It took about an hour to install! It downloads, then spends ages verifying the download, then says it's downloading more! Then, eventually, it starts installing. But not before it does a laborious backup of loads of files. It kept me back at work! My own fault - I should have avoided it. Agh!

[kaled]

I recently installed XP SP3 by downloading the standalone package and Vista SP1 by using updates. XP went smoothly but Vista was mega-slow. I won't install a servicepack using updates again if I can avoid it.

I only tested Vista briefly but I noticed several bugs remain unfixed - in fact I only noticed one improvement!

Kaled.

[wruppert]

Trying to figure out if I should install SP3. Having a hard time finding recent articles on the subject. Any pointers?

[Philosopher]

updated via the automatic update on my machine two days ago and haven't had a single issue as of yet....fingers crossed it stays that way.

[Lord Majestic]

The most annoying bad thing in SP3 that I found (apart from expiration of Remote Desktop in beta version) is that they silently reset TCP/IP stack to default 10 half-open connections limit - if you never came across with this limit you probably won't care though.

[coopster]

apart from expiration of Remote Desktop in beta version

The Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3 [download.microsoft.com] documents a workaround to remove the test certificate that is responsible for the text message being displayed.

I'm not certain if that is the issue you are describing, but perhaps worth a look.

[Lord Majestic]

Thanks coopster - I sorted this problem out somehow differently, can't remember exactly to be honest - but I think it did not involve full reinstall - it was a close call though :)

[coopster]

No problem. Where did you come across the TCP/IP stack information there? Internal testing or was there a document you can refer us to?

[Lord Majestic]

Internal testing

Testing - it's very easy to verify - have your WinXP SP2 patched to unblock 10 half-open connections limit, then install SP3 and watch that the limit went back to 10 - this was bad idea to begin with and now they refreshed it :(

[youfoundjake]

I installed it when it first came out before it was pushed to automatic updates, and the speed of machine dropped by 75%, I promptly uninstalled it...
I support < specialized businesses >, and we are avoiding installing it until all the practice management companies say its ok to install...

[edited by: tedster at 9:25 pm (utc) on Aug. 31, 2008]
[edit reason] removed business specifics [/edit]