07 May 2008
Microsoft has begun widespread distribution of Windows XP Service Pack 3.
The upgrade is available from Microsoft's Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Centre, allowing all XP machines to automatically download and install the software.
The company also resumed the distribution of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 on the update services after a problem with Microsoft's Dynamics RMS retail management package.
The issue forced Microsoft to delay XP SP3 release as well as take the Vista SP1 update offline.
A company spokesperson told vnunet.com that Microsoft has put a filter in place for users attempting to download the updates.
This will prevent machines that have the Dynamics RMS software installed from downloading and installing either service pack until a patch can be deployed.
The release of XP SP3 comes less than two months before Microsoft will officially phase out Windows XP in favour of Vista.
System builders will no longer be able to offer XP from 30 June on all PCs except for machines deemed ultra-low cost.
Some vendors, however, have vowed to use a loophole to continue to offer XP to customers.
Microsoft had originally planned to end XP's availability at the end of January. However, increased demand from customers and manufacturers led the company to issue a five-month stay of execution for the seven year-old operating system.
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Window's SP3
I downloaded SP3 onto a memory key,and installed it from there,it worked ok on some programmes,but after 5pm I couldn't access computeractive website,I put this down to sp3,Eventually I had to use system restore and lo and behold I could not use system restore,I know i had to stop protect my product in nis 2007,so i done that first,After going on VMicrosoft website for a solutition,I discovered,Microsoft recomended uninstalling SP3 first before I tried to use system restore,I have now un-installed system restore and everything works fine,If you are thinking of installing SP3. FORGET IT
Posted by: Edgar Mills 21 Jun 2008
SP3 freeze
My experiences mirror Mr Duncan. Our computer went through a full installation of a new hard drive and all programs reloaded. All went well. I wondered about SP3. We can get as far as the Windows screen with the moving centre but the moving balls or whatecer don't move. Not every time but enough and the only way round it is to switch off power to the computer, leave it and reboot in Safe Mode. I have Mcafee Virusscan and Firewall plus Spy bot with no recognised nasties. If it does it again SP3 is off.
Posted by: Bill Elwood 19 Jun 2008
SP 3
I loaded SP 3 on to my pc and it totally screwed the whole pc up. It would not boot up beyond the windows page.Finally got pc started on safe mode and deleted SP 3 , now pc works as it did before. I would not reccomend installing SP3
Posted by: Peter D Duncan 14 May 2008