SP3 for XP available. Got problems or did it go smoothly?

Microsoft got SP3 for Windows XP out the door a few days ago on the Microsoft Downloads site, although some folks might have seen it sooner through Windows Update. I haven't got around to the install on the one XP machine I have, but I'll be hitting it up shortly. Here's where you can find the service pack if you need it.

For those that already ran through the upgrade: did you have any issues? I'm asking because one of our readers shared a lengthy and detailed horror story with us; I'm not sharing the info just yet because I didn't ask for his or her permission. The scenario was pretty bad though... the solution will likely end up becoming a full system rebuild, which is about as bad as it can be. Anyway, share your thoughts: positive or negative. Meanwhile, I'm firing up the XP machine to give it a run through myself.

Update: my update took about an hour. No issues to report.

Comments

[James Kendrick]

I upgraded the Mini-Note via Windows Update with no issues.

[Mike Cane]

What the frick?

>>>We’re sorry, but we were unable to service your request. You may wish to choose from the links below for information about Microsoft products and services.

I guess that's their way of spitting on my going there dressed in Firefox?

Hey, it was YOUR link, Fiend! Of course I blame you!

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Mike, try the link again. I just updated it. Thx.

[Guthrie]

I got the notice and installed it on the U810. No issues at all. How unusual!

Probably should knock on some wood.

[Craig]

Updated a laptop from SP2 to SP3 yesterday...no problems whatsoever.

[Nate]

I've had no issues with either of the recently released service packs.

[tovarish]

updated sp3 on 3 xp machines (upmc, laptop, desktop) with no problems as yet.

[Bill]

Like Guthrie, I too installed SP3 on my Fujitsu u810 with no issues.

[Bill]

Like Guthrie, I too installed SP3 on my Fujitsu u810 with no issues.

[Bill]

Like Guthrie, I too installed SP3 on my Fujitsu u810 with no issues.

[borax99 (Alain C.)]

I prefer to wait before updating my Fujitsus, 5020D and 1610. Been burned before, will hang back for at least a month, just to see what issues might surface . . .

[Mike Cane]

That link works now. But to spite you, I intend to use IE and its Windows Update option later today.

[Travis]

I've installed SP3 on my EeePC and an old Pentium 4 box without problems.

[Gordon Cahill]

I installed SP3 on three machine well over a month ago. No problems with any of them.

[Mickey Segal]

I tried the SP3 update on two computers, and both had surprises.

I needed to reformat an XP SP2 tablet because it kept creating corrupted user accounts. I reinstalled original XP, and expected that I could go directly to SP3 since http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68c48dad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en said SP3 could work from even original XP or XP SP1. However, Windows Update first offered SP2, and only offered SP3 after SP2 was installed.

The second computer was a 4 GB Asus Eee. The computer does not have enough space to install SP3. People are trying various orkarounds - see http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?pid=248474 and http://www.christopherprice.net/installing-windows-xp-sp3-eee-pc-305.html but it doesn't sound pretty. Whatever money one saves on getting a 4 GB machine one loses very quickly dealing with such hasses.

[Jon M]

I updated my Fujitsu U810. First intial boot after install and restart was slow. No problems so far. I was hoping it would clear up a lock up on shut down issue that I have been having, but no resolution to that yet (even though in the "fix" notes that XP SP 3 addresses it). Oh well I am tempted to put Vista Business back on it tonight. We shall see.

[Jay Walk]

I am using a IBM Thinkpad X41 Tablet and I am under the impression that this SP3 upgrade is meant for regular WinXP. Yes? No?

Would there be any problems, given that my OS is WinXP Tablet PC Edition (SP2)?

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance.

[Jeff_R]

My XP SP3 broke my Activesync on my desktop and I cannot get it to work again. Uninstalling and reinstalling doesn't work, as it can't successfully reinstall. Also, my Device Manager is now just a blank page. System Restore to prior to SP3 fails.

All Googled fixes don't work. So now I need to use my image. This is NOT going on my tablet.

Gee, maybe I need to go back to Vista...

[Jay Walk]

My bad. Didn't read the technical notes properly to realised that the SP3 also applies to Tablet PC Edition.

Upgraded successfully without any hitches.

[John in Norway]

The only thing I've noticed since the smooth upgrade is that my C: partition is now full! It's now using as much space as Vista!

[Port]

i noticed the samething has John Norway about my C: being full. i wish i would have done an exact free space comparison before & after the install but i didnt think it was going to be that much considering i had all the previous patches. has anybody else done a free space comparison before/after?

my Windows/ServicePackFiles & Windows/SoftwareDistribution/Download folders are both over 500MB, i'm not sure if they were that big beforehand.

[Tom]

I installed it on my U810. I have had no issues so far.

[Kevin Thompson]

I upgraded my tablet to SP3 with no hitches during install, but I am noticing a slightly slower login time when resuming from sleep. The only other major change is a slightly different appearance to the login for Windows Remote Desktop.

[PJ]

I upgraded to SP3 yesterday on my Q1UP and no problems so far. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Praval Singh]

I installed SP3 for Windows Prof. Media centre ed. 2005 2 days back. Since then I am unable to ruin any application that tries to access internet. It basically happened due to IE6 -> IE7 upgradation I presume.

[Jay]

I'm in the same boat with Guthrie: I started with XP SP3 on my Fujitsu U810. It continued to run very smoothly with no issues whatsoever. At my job, we have a test lab to let fixes and new builds, fixes, etc. soak in with some testing. All of them work well.

I'm so glad that Vista didn't get massively pushed and widely adopted. XP SP3 strengthens the only workstation OS that we support, allowing our ghost images, GPO rulesets and hot-standby Ghost/Acronis images to continue to keep things efficient.

So, six workstations, all SP3, all flawless and continuing to move on.

**NOTE: If you'd like to know how to slipstream SP3 and rebuild your (legitimately-owned) Windows XP installation, post and let me know.

[drewrob26]

I had to go into safe mode and do a system restore back to sp2 and it worked fine after that but before i would turn it on and before it came to the welcome screen it would BSOD! and shut down!

[Ted Mozer]

I have installed SP3 on several computers at work and home. This may be coincidental but I have encountered new glitches with GroupWise (our work email system) and strange video issues on two computers. The video issue on one is with DVI to HDMI video output to a large LCD TV. After installing SP3 it keeps lossing the video signal. My desk top work computer has two screens and since installing SP3 the desktop keeps moving from screen to screen for no apparent reason.

[Mike Cane]

Bloody hell. Ate an hour. I should have started it earlier. Now to sleep.