Microsoft has finished work on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) and made it widely available. The designation of SP3 as RTM, for 'release to manufacturing', wasn't much of a surprise, given how the company's schedule leaked last week.
FAQ: The full low-down on XP's final service pack
But SP3's path has been long and sometimes tortuous - Microsoft often simply seems to ignore XP, preferring instead to trumpet Vista - but it looks like Microsoft's aged, and aging, operating system is wrapping up with the release of its certain-to-be-the-last service pack.
Despite the focus on Vista, there remain a number of questions about XP SP3. See below for our FAQ.
Read PC Advisor's Windows XP SP3 review
Can I get Windows XP SP3 now?
That depends on who you are. Microsoft said that it is shipping the code to computer makers and making it available to volume licensing customers.
"SP3 has released to manufacturing," said Chris Keroack, XP SP3's release manager, in a message posted on a TechNet support forum. "Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers."
So when do I get SP3?
Microsoft said it would put SP3 on Windows Update (WU) on April 29. Starting then, you'll be able to update by calling up WU, then selecting the download.
For several weeks, SP3 will be optional, just like Windows Vista SP1, which still hasn't come out of its manual WU mode.
I'm a TechNet or MSDN subscriber and I can't get now?
Apparently not. And apparently Microsoft didn't learn a lesson from the February debacle when it first denied Vista SP1 to the IT professionals and developers who pay hundreds annually for the right to download the company's software for testing purposes.
As a recap, two months ago TechNet and MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) subscribers raised a stink when they weren't allowed access to Vista SP1 after it was marked RTM; Microsoft took nearly two weeks to change its mind and release the upgrade to the services.
A reprise appears in the works. On Monday, Keroack told TechNet/MSDN subscribers, "Not yet. This will be available within the next month," when asked on a support forum when the service pack would be available.
What if I want to wait for WU to do the heavy lifting for me?
Just sit tight. Microsoft will begin pushing SP3 to most users - all those who have set WU to automatically download and install important updates - sometime in "early summer", according to Microsoft's Keroack.
Unlike Vista, which was held for weeks after it went RTM, XP has no balky device drivers that will prevent users from upgrading in large numbers.
Microsoft didn't get back to us when we asked why it's postponing automatic updating of SP3. But while Microsoft has offered up a vague delivery date, others have pinpointed June 10 as the flip-the-switch date.
Comments
Zimmo said: Nightmaresville Arizona with this XP SP3 thing windows update sent me round in circles chasing my tail looking for SP3 I finally got a CD version took like an hour to download It removed a load of files then duly froze I rebooted and it said there was a problem and unremoved it all again Thanks MS for the waste of my time again So I finally left the dark side and bought a Mac I am very happy with it The more I use PC and Mac side by side the more I am convinced I made totally the right choice Yeah yeah Vista I know forget it
Karen Henthorn said: Anyone who lost data did so because they panicked My computer crashed immediately after automatic update of SP3--straight to blue screen--wouldnt even start in safemode After over 15 hours onlineanother computerwith remote assistance from microsoftthe function of my computer is completely unacceptable
Alan Briggs said: The problem with HPCompaq desktops having AMD processors occurs because HPCompaq include an instruction in the registry to load an Intel power management driver and rely on the fact that this driver is not present on their AMD computers The Windows Service Pack sees that the computer wants to load this Intel driver and helpfully installs a copy This causes the problems Fortunately there is an easy fix by editing the registry to instruct it not to load the Intel driver Anyone who lost data did so because they panicked
Bob Reeve said: I am furious After the ms update side downloaded sp3 to my compaq desktop the thing crashed completely and ive subsequently lost a lot of stuff some irreplaceable Then to read that this is due to AMD processors and that the same thing happened after sp2 has sent me into an anti ms tirade that will never stop Can I ever trust them again You know the answer to that
John Zak said: Have installed it on 8 PCs without difficultyMainly Dells and a Fujitsu SiemensDoes not seem to achieve much possibly underlying security better
Scott said: Ive installed it on three machines with no problems whatsoever Its not all bad
Nick Sun said: Total crap The windows system on my HP media PC wont start unless its in safe mode after updated to sp3 I think I should sue Microsoft for damage
Dave Ross said: No good Windows XP would not restart just loops Had to reinstall sp2 from backup turned off all microsoft updates for now and all is well now Should have waited had to reinstall some drivers and software that didnt make it back
Alan Kennedy said: Further to my note of yesterday SP3 update might have crashed due to malware Am running all I have
cakeboy said: crash loop for medll entry point missing could not load the desktop bitmap
NickyK said: I wonder if it will be available as a magazine cover-mounted disc
Alan Kennedy said: I have tried three times to install SP3 and it crashed each time before completing Last time I tried doing it in Safe mode and that crashed too at the same point Message was Access denied Do I need to do it while on line Not a good idea with all security switched off as recommended Fortunately I had set a restore point before starting
John Doran said: Sounds good but have you not read my email and the trouble Ive hadAs for going back to SP2 That was not good and I finished uphaving to repair Xp since which I cannot use Windows updates -wont installAm left with sp2 Xp and no updatesGood fun