has anyone downloaded and installed XP SP3 yet? I just downloaded it (316MB!!) but am chicken to pull the trigger and install it. Well, not really chicken, just shot a Ghost image to fall back on. Just wanted to know if there are any gotchas lurking.

Thanks

Richard

I don't think anybody knows much about it yet. Make sure that you directly downloaded it from M/Soft's site, I understand that there is something about a version that sites like Major Geeks has that can cause problems. The only other thing I heard is that it enables the Windows Firewall and you must go into the Administrative Tools to disable it. But that is hearsay. And it activates the MGA spyware again so you will have to remove that again (if you care about it running on your computer like I do, anyway).

Since I am not going to install it I didn't spend much time studying it.

treatmefair,

Here is an interesting read from a highly repected moderator on C/net that may set it straight for you.

I, like Ranchhand do not intend to install it either, so I would be careful pressing that GO button at this present time. Ranchhand was right about where to download it from also.

Let us know what you actually do please!

The only update I've run since this XP-SP2 install a few years ago is the DST update. This system runs like a well-oiled machine, exceptionally fast, and is well protected by Trend Internet Security, and likewise I've seen no reasons to run any of the Mikeysoft updates. However, I do have a full backup available to restore if something serious happens (updated monthly).

I did try doing all the updates about eight months ago, but after about a week of instabilities and bug-a-boos, I restored a backup. I don't recommend that the average user skips the updates, but this shows that a good running system can exist without them.

Boot time after POST to full loading of all tray programs (17 of them)- 35 seconds.

Time without loading the programs- 17 seconds.

Shut down time from clicking the button to full power off- 11 seconds.

Granted, these times are mostly a result of running two Raptor 10,000 RPM high-speed drives in RAID 0, but, no matter what you do there's nothing that will save you from a round of grief like a full system backup. It's just like an insurance policy - nice to have, gives peace of mind, but you hope you never need it.

OK sports fans I went ahead and did it. Shot a ghost image first then installed SP3. The "upgrade" installed normally with no gotchas. PC boots up normally and actually seems a little faster. (may be wishful thinking here) Will beat the system up this weekend and post back if I find any problems. Running great for now though.

Richard

Can you tell me exactly how to go about doing a full backup? And how is that different from a system restore point....unless you can't get to a system restore point being the problem???
Thanks!

Hello Berta,

Yes, there is a lot of difference between a System Restore and a full image backup.

Firstly, here is a good explanation of Ghost image Software and what it does.

I run both Acronis 10 and Ghost 12 on my computers so here are the links for you to read about image backup software. You would need to purchase an External Hard Drive to backup the image if you decide to proceed further.

Here are forums for Acronis and Ghost if you want a read about the respective software.

I hope you will get some good information from the above links,

best regards,

Thanks Tallin, for the prompt reply. I will do some reading on the links you included. Had a flu bug or it would be done by now..
I appreciate the information!