But what about that disk I already ordered ($$) from this post?

XP SP3 now available on cd to order
Posted by ravencajun (My Page)color=blue> on Sun, Jun 1, 08 at 18:15

Urlee

I understand one computer failing due to SP3 is too many. however the article raven links to "pc pitstop article" shows no reference to numbers being affected. There are many reports of good installs of SP3 - remember that mostly those who complain are those who had problems, those with a clean, good install just move on merrily.

Item #1 in the article perhaps only affects those with Symantec products, not necessarily the masses.

Item #2 The writer tried to minimise his restore point hard drive space to an absolute minimum and got caught. Is that the fault of MS? I think not.

Items #5 and 6 There have been write ups and as I understand it many of those with problems were installing SP3 over only SP1. They had to remove SP3, install SP2 then SP3. Dirty? Of course but surely SP2 was a more important update than SP3 might be and should be on all computers. (Personal observation of course, not necessarily a fact)

Whenever anyone does an update of this magnitude they should take the precaution of backing up all their personal data before updating. Those who have Acronis True Image or similar programs should create a full backup of the hard drive.

Absolutely owbist, back up everything and do an image if you can with Acronis. And follow all the download and install directions to the letter which means turning off all antivirus programs, firewalls, spyware protection and any other running programs, even better install it in safe mode where you have only minimal processes running. Using the cd or the full version is much better than doing it through update from everything I have seen and read on all the tech forums, you get the full install and it seems to go easier. So having the cd is a good thing plus you have it to keep should you ever need to format your pc and need it again.

There just are no guarantees that things will go well, many thought they did have a good install and things are now showing up, why that is who knows, it could be specific to something they have on their pc that sp3 was not compatible with, think of how many programs there are out there, it is impossible to make any thing compatible with all. (however the big companies work with microsoft to make these things work prior to release that is why the beta testing for so long, so it doing what it is with programs like Norton and some of the other big names is not a good reflection)

Unfortunately there were more people that had their restore points disappear than just that one instance and they had not changed anything so it is definitely affecting restore points on some computers.

I have kept my pc fully updated since sp2 so there fore I have pretty much everything I need from sp3 already, at this point my decision is not to install with a wait and see point of view. What each person choses to do is up to them, it is however essential to know all the information so you can do so in an educated manner. That is why I am posting when something new has been discovered that they did not know, that way we stay educated as to what needs to be done and what to expect. But then you also have to expect the unexpected! LOL

I had intended to slipstream SP3 with my XP Pro but on reading the issues with some who tried installing SP3 over SP1 I have hesitated. Naturally I would do SP2 then SP3 but so far I have read little as to whether this is effective or not. Laziness on part art of course but........... one day

Owbist on dslreports Bill Castner and some other MVP's did talk about slipstreaming and how to go about it so if you do some searches over there on the microsoft area you will likely find it. They did advise using the full version for slipstreaming.