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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Chim on June 30, 2012, 06:07:16 AM
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My sister and brother-in-law bought a Dell GX280 computer today. (Used)
I went and set it up for them. It's now running fine.
It's got Windows XP Pro SP2.
Will it eventually update to SP3 on its own?
I did set it to Automatic Updates. It didn't update to SP3 during the time that I was there.
Or will it wait until the TIME the Automatic Updates are set to ... come up?
I would have thought an Update to SP3 would supersede that time and start happening immediately.
I probably won't be over there at their house again until Monday.
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just run windows update manually.....
OBS: and i always change the default install time (3 at night) to a time when the computer is on...
on work computer i use lunch time
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Currently you will receive Zero Security Updates on XP SP2, MS support (KB, security updates) for XP SP2 ended over 18 months ago (I can't recall the exact date). So it won't offer any updates much less SP3, you will have to manually download it, install it and then windows update should offer the KBs released since SP3, be ready for a flood.
SP3 full download is in the order of 363MB if I remember rightly, I had to get someone on broadband download that for me (when I was on dial-up). Even after that, the number of KBs would tax anyone on dial-up and manually downloading them (for off-line installation) would not be an easy task.
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Ahhh, that's right. The ole end of support for Windows XP SP2 thing. The thought did enter my mind yesterday and I was even gonna toss that in my inquiry, but I was rushing things as I got back to my place a bit late.
Okay, that makes sense. Thanks, David ... Pondus!
Oh, my sister and brother-in-law's computer DOES have High Speed Internet.
So I WILL be able to manually download it there.
BTW ... would this be a legit place from which to download Windows XP SP3?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/service-packs
There is a link in there over at the right, which says, "Download SP3."
Or is there some more legit, more highly-recommended place from where I can download it?
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You're welcome.
Boy are they lucky, whilst SP3 is a bit of a chore to download if on dial-up, it isn't to hard to find a friend to download it. But the thought of all of the KB security updates released after SP3 sends a shiver up my back if you were on dial-up.
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Okay, now ...
Let's just say that when I get around to updating their computer to SP3 something goes drastically wrong.
I take it a System Restore in Safe Mode SHOULD get rid of the SP3 Update and set the computer back to its former SP2 status, right?
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I take it a System Restore in Safe Mode SHOULD get rid of the SP3 Update and set the computer back to its former SP2 status, right?
Yes.
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Personally I would use hard disk imaging software to make an exact copy of the Partition before making major changes.
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Ah, memories ... when I bought this system (with XP) from my favorite OEM dealer, it was otherwise ready to go off the shelf, but he needed a week to get MS updates right up to current (including SP1, IIRC). When SP2 came out I was still on dialup, so sent for the CD for that ... by the time of SP3 I was on DSL, so gave the download a try. Size was more or less as noted by David, and download plus installation took about 45 minutes.
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Thanks, Asyn, David, Mike.
The more I think about it, I'm tempted to just let it be, just let a sleeping dog lie.
It's that no Windows CD or System Recovery CD came with the purchase of this used computer by my sister & brother-in-law.
So, if something drastic should go wrong that not even a System Restore can undo, I wouldn't have the luxury of being able to reinstall Windows.
Hmmm??? Or CAN I? Can I make a legal copy of the Windows XP Pro SP2 that's installed in the computer right now?
If so ... HOW?
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That is even more reason to use hard drive imaging software, if you haven't got the windows CD you have no way of doing a Repair install if anything serious happens to the system. If you have when you make an image of the partition or drive, it is an exact copy.
A restore for me on a partition/multiple partitions takes less than 20 minutes. If I have a problem that is likely to take more than 20 minutes, I have the option to restore my last backup. I do regular weekly backup images and keep the last 6, so at worst I lose a max of 6 days program updates. I do regular file backups a few times a day for more volatile files/documents/emails/favourites/address book/media files, etc. etc. so as far as loss of data files it would be less than a day.
A robust backup and recovery strategy is essential.
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BTW ... would this be a legit place from which to download Windows XP SP3?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/service-packs
There is a link in there over at the right, which says, "Download SP3."
Or is there some more legit, more highly-recommended place from where I can download it?
Dont use that download link as that is the volume license edition and wont recognise your license key, if you read on further it states not for single computer use.
Best to do as DavidR suggested by making a system image then update the SP via windows update.
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Hi Chim,
You can use the download you linked to. The direct link to the download page is HERE (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24). IIt may say "for IT professionals and developers " but you can safely use it.
It's not that well documented but the biggest cause of SP3 install problems are interference from Security programs such as antivirus programs. I suggest either disabling your security programs before installing SP3 or installing it in Safe Mode. I've installed or directed people installing SP3 with the above steps and never had a failure.
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You can use the download you linked to. The direct link to the download page is HERE (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24). IIt may say "for IT professionals and developers " but you can safely use it.
I can confirm this.
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You can use the download you linked to. The direct link to the download page is HERE (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24). IIt may say "for IT professionals and developers " but you can safely use it.
I can confirm this.
I used that same link about three days ago on an update from SP2 for a friends system as i thought i could save some time downloading it from my house and transfer it over to the other system when there, and after the first visit to windows update it wouldn't validate the license :o spent a hour on the phone with microsoft and giving them all the info at which stage they told me that version was for volume licensing ???, luckly all i had to do was image back SP2 then let it do the update via windows.
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I've never had a problem using the download from that link. Using it on my computer now which is a new install in April.
No problem whatsoever in accessing the Windows Updates site. Did you allow the small install when you first went to Windows updates after installing SP3?
When I follow the link from HERE (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389) , I end up HERE (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389#tosp3) . I can either use the link to go to Windows Updates or the Microsoft Download Center
Not really sure what MS was telling you, they may have been grasping at straws but
Download the latest Windows XP service pack from the Microsoft Download Center
If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, you can download the stand-alone update package from the Download Center. This page will say that this installation package is intended for IT professionals and developers. However, you can safely download this file. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
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Hmmm??? Well, since the computer in question is NOT MY computer, I can't afford any surprises of suddenly there being a Pterodactyl in the Ointment. ;D I'd feel much more comfortable engaging in this SP2 to SP3 updating stunt if it was MY computer. I wouldn't want to wind up in the situation of having destroyed their freshly-purchased computer. Especially after having made a BIG deal of my brother-in-law's scumball daughter having destroyed my Dell GX270 and me wanting to strangle her. ;D
Anyway, so far neither my brother-in-law nor my sister have called to inform me of any problems with their computer's functionality.
So, in this case, it's probably best to play it safe and take the approach of --- Don't fix it if it ain't broke.
IF in the future they do start experiencing problems that can't be fixed by regular means, THEN I'll have to roll up my sleeves and engage in the SP2 to SP3 update. I'll of course inform them of the risk involved and that they can't hold me responsible if things get temporarily screwed up. ;D
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I've never had a problem using the download from that link. Using it on my computer now which is a new install in April.
No problem whatsoever in accessing the Windows Updates site.
Me neither, maybe we should ask, if it's a legit XP... ;D
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Obviously it is your choice, I'm just tossing out my experience with this. The risk you are now running is that SP2 is no longer supported and any vulnerabilities addressed with SP3 and patches released after SP3 will go unaddressed.
Depending on where this computer was purhesed from it may very well have a Volume version of windows on it. ie an old company computer. It may even have a pirated copy of windows. In either case I can see problems installing SP3.
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I've never had a problem using the download from that link. Using it on my computer now which is a new install in April.
No problem whatsoever in accessing the Windows Updates site. Did you allow the small install when you first went to Windows updates after installing SP3?
When I follow the link from HERE (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389) , I end up HERE (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389#tosp3) . I can either use the link to go to Windows Updates or the Microsoft Download Center
Not really sure what MS was telling you, they may have been grasping at straws but
Iv never had to use that method of updating a system before so it could have been something i did wrong or a system glitch " who knows " but after reverting back and letting it update via windows update it's all good :)
Yes it's definitely a legit system Asyn :)
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@craigb,
Iv never had to use that method of updating a system before so it could have been something i did wrong or a system glitch " who knows
As mentioned earlier one of the problems installing SP3 is AV interference. That may have been the problem in your case.
Glad you got it sorted.
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Yes it's definitely a legit system Asyn :)
Good. :)
Still, I can confirm what oldman said, as I also use this download, if needed.
Never had any problems with it.
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Yes it's definitely a legit system Asyn :)
Good. :)
Still, I can confirm what oldman said, as I also use this download, if needed.
Never had any problems with it.
At least i know now the link is fine for if i need it in the future, "oldman" it could have been the AV interfering somehow - Outpost security suite was what they had installed and all i changed on it was setting the firewall to auto learn, now i know to turn it of also Thanks :)
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Oh, I do appreciate your Info / advice, oldman. Thanks!
I'm VERY tempted to pull the trigger and just do it. I'd certainly want to have that computer be completely up to date with SP3.
And who knows? I may yet do it, albeit not necessarily this week or this month.
For sure I have bookmarked that site.
I first have to look into that Drive Imaging thing that I inquired about in another thread.
Cuz I wouldn't want to be operating without a safety net ... and as it stands right now, operating without a safety net is exactly what I'd be doing what with no Windows XP CD or System Recovery CDs.
I'm off to go check out that thread with the FREE Drive Imaging Apps Recommendations.