Before you update to XP SP3

BarTopDancer · 05-12-2008, 11:43 AM

Check out some of the reported issues.

Below is one. There are more all over Google Tech News.

Issues with AMD parts

Quote:

An issue with how the Service Pack 3 update handles AMD chips will cause some Windows XP computers to continuously reboot. Microsoft says it is investigating.

The issues come in two forms: The first affects some systems with AMD chips and OEM XP images, while the other seems to affect certain AMD motherboards. Microsoft is looking into the problem and said it will advise when it has a solution.

There is a chance that the first issue could occur on some Intel machines as well. This is due to the same image being used on that machine, which is actually more the manufacturer's error than it is Microsoft's.

More in the link.

Kevy Baby · 05-12-2008, 11:49 AM

So if one is using an Intel processor, things are okay?

Although I still wouldn't upgrade for a while (as MS is notorious for buggy updates).

BarTopDancer · 05-12-2008, 11:56 AM

In that article there are reports of a few things happening with Intel processors. The big issues do seem to be with AMD.

I'd hold off a very long time before downloading this. I am waiting until my company does it, or until I see a compelling reason to do so.

Moonliner · 05-12-2008, 12:07 PM

I have one person in my office that's an annoying twit. I put SP3 on her AMD based PC last week. Unfortunately it seems to have helped overall performance.

Just my damn luck.

Pirate Bill · 06-08-2008, 11:21 AM

Well, I just spent the last 2 days doing a complete fresh install of XP on my home machine. Day 1: double-check backups. Day 2: install.

It's an older machine with an AMD Athlon 950MHz, 640MB ram, I don't remember the motherboard details, and an OEM XP SP2 image.

Up until the reinstall I had been applying regular updates and was never prompted to install SP3, but since I'd be installing from an SP2 disk I figured I'd take my chances with installing SP3. And actually that part was the smoothest. About a month ago (or sometime shortly before the SP3 release) when I installed SP2 on another machine I had to apply about 200 updates from MS Update which took a good couple of hours to get through. Yesterday there was just 1 update (SP3) that went much faster with absolutely no hiccups.

So now, after a full day of reinstalling all my software and 5000 (or so) restarts later I'm running on a much smoother computer, complete with SP3. Of course, with all thing Microsoft, your mileage may vary.

(I'm just trying to keep this dinosaur running until the day I can replace it. And it's actually running quite well for its age.)

Scrooge McSam · 06-09-2008, 06:29 AM

Yep, PB, I got one of those looking me in the face too.

My box (a laptop) is not as old or memory starved as yours, but it's just gotten so slow... it takes 27 to 29 minutes to boot up... Yeah! GRRRR

Norton says it's working just fine!! Whoopee! Perfectly optimized and protected.

So Saturday I got a new laptop and am now dancing the "cancel/allow" 2 step with Vista. (Side Note: There's lots of talk of problems running RCT3 under Vista. Provided you get a clean installation with no hiccups, RCT3 will run just fine if you right click the icon and choose "Run as Administrator".)

I'm going to rebuild the laptop and give it to a friend. I thought about using it as a media server, but she can use it to spend less time in the office and more time with her kids. This is the first time I can remember being excited about a rebuild. I can't wait to get started.

Pirate Bill · 06-09-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

This is the first time I can remember being excited about a rebuild. I can't wait to get started.

Have you ever been out camping or stranded somewhere for a week with no change of clean clothes? So for 7 days you've been getting more and more dirty, sweaty, and smelly. Your clothes have developed enough funk on them to gag a hobo but you're so accustomed to it that you hardly notice. But then you return to civilization, shower, shave, and put on some fresh clothing. You look at the foul, rotting clothes in a heap on the bathroom floor - so disgusted by them you just want to throw a match into the pile and call it good.

Well, that's what a fresh install of Windows is like. Like stepping into a clean pair of underwear - so refreshing and new. Yet, you know, in the back of your mind that this too will grow funk.

Scrooge McSam · 06-09-2008, 08:24 AM

PB - a perfect comparison LOL

It'll just be HER funk, and therefore HER problem, from here on out.

05-12-2008, 11:49 AM	#2
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	So if one is using an Intel processor, things are okay? Although I still wouldn't upgrade for a while (as MS is notorious for buggy updates). __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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05-12-2008, 11:56 AM	#3
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	In that article there are reports of a few things happening with Intel processors. The big issues do seem to be with AMD. I'd hold off a very long time before downloading this. I am waiting until my company does it, or until I see a compelling reason to do so. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

05-12-2008, 12:07 PM	#4
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	I have one person in my office that's an annoying twit. I put SP3 on her AMD based PC last week. Unfortunately it seems to have helped overall performance. Just my damn luck. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes

06-08-2008, 11:21 AM	#5
Pirate Bill Quality since 1973 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Right here Posts: 473	Well, I just spent the last 2 days doing a complete fresh install of XP on my home machine. Day 1: double-check backups. Day 2: install. It's an older machine with an AMD Athlon 950MHz, 640MB ram, I don't remember the motherboard details, and an OEM XP SP2 image. Up until the reinstall I had been applying regular updates and was never prompted to install SP3, but since I'd be installing from an SP2 disk I figured I'd take my chances with installing SP3. And actually that part was the smoothest. About a month ago (or sometime shortly before the SP3 release) when I installed SP2 on another machine I had to apply about 200 updates from MS Update which took a good couple of hours to get through. Yesterday there was just 1 update (SP3) that went much faster with absolutely no hiccups. So now, after a full day of reinstalling all my software and 5000 (or so) restarts later I'm running on a much smoother computer, complete with SP3. Of course, with all thing Microsoft, your mileage may vary. (I'm just trying to keep this dinosaur running until the day I can replace it. And it's actually running quite well for its age.)
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2008, 06:29 AM	#6
Scrooge McSam What? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,635	Yep, PB, I got one of those looking me in the face too. My box (a laptop) is not as old or memory starved as yours, but it's just gotten so slow... it takes 27 to 29 minutes to boot up... Yeah! GRRRR Norton says it's working just fine!! Whoopee! Perfectly optimized and protected. So Saturday I got a new laptop and am now dancing the "cancel/allow" 2 step with Vista. (Side Note: There's lots of talk of problems running RCT3 under Vista. Provided you get a clean installation with no hiccups, RCT3 will run just fine if you right click the icon and choose "Run as Administrator".) I'm going to rebuild the laptop and give it to a friend. I thought about using it as a media server, but she can use it to spend less time in the office and more time with her kids. This is the first time I can remember being excited about a rebuild. I can't wait to get started.
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2008, 08:24 AM	#8
Scrooge McSam What? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,635	PB - a perfect comparison LOL It'll just be HER funk, and therefore HER problem, from here on out.
	Submit to Quotes