When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
gives no other options for updates.

I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?

Then your WinXP SP2 machine must be fully patched otherwise.

No, WinXP SP3 is not required to be offered other updates...at least not
until April 2010.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Doc wrote:
> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
> gives no other options for updates.
>
> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
> do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?

On Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:31:55 -0700 (PDT), Doc
<docsavage20******.com> wrote:

>When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
>gives no other options for updates.
>
>I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
>do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?

MS tries to get you to install SP3. I had it installed then
uninstalled it. SP3 seems to work OK for some.

There is an alternative on the MS download screen. You _can_
say no to SP3. Then you can download available downloads for
SP2. Look toward the bottom of the screen. Scroll down if
necessary.

BC

There will be updates for SP2,
Microsoft has not dropped Update support for SP2 users.

Your are not forced to install SP3 and can ignore the message.

JS

"Doc" <docsavage20******.com> wrote in message
news:1c8471db-ea2c-465d-aa32-4a199781adf4@59g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
> gives no other options for updates.
>
> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
> do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?

On Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:31:55 -0700 (PDT), Doc <docsavage20******.com>
wrote:

>When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
>gives no other options for updates.
>
>I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
>do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?

I bit the bullet over the weekend and installed SP3; it took about 1/2
hour to install and all I had to do was reconnect my DSL modem ( pull
the leads and then plug back in ) .

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP******.com> wrote in message
news:uqFcCYmAJHA.3568@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Then your WinXP SP2 machine must be fully patched otherwise.
>
> No, WinXP SP3 is not required to be offered other updates...at least not
> until April 2010.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> Doc wrote:
>> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
>> gives no other options for updates.
>>
>> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
>> do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?
>

So, I'm curious: is an SP3 machine that is offered no more updates more
secure than an identical SP2 fully-patched machine?

["Groups" alt.windows-xp & alt.os.windows-xp removed]

Doc wrote:
> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
> gives no other options for updates.
>
> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
> do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?
I can tell you I've installed SP3 on 40 PCs and they're all working
fine. MS recommends SP3 for very good reasons - it fixes hundreds of
known problems. In my opinion you're more exposed to the problems it
fixes by not having it. Life is full of risks and nobody can make
everybody happy all the time. But given the choice I'd pick going with
SP3 as by far the best alternative even tho nobody's going to force you
to do it. Nobody forces you to go to the dentist, doctor, or change
your oil periodically, but if you have good judgement, you'll do the
wise thing. Just read the MS recommendations, back up your critical
data, and do it, and you'll be better off in the long run.

"Hula Baloo" <eepyeep@nospam.juno.com> wrote in message
news:9d2dnR3M9e6DojHVnZ2dnUVZ_trinZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Doc wrote:
>> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
>> gives no other options for updates.
>>
>> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
>> do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?
> I can tell you I've installed SP3 on 40 PCs and they're all working fine.
> MS recommends SP3 for very good reasons - it fixes hundreds of known
> problems. In my opinion you're more exposed to the problems it fixes by
> not having it. Life is full of risks and nobody can make everybody happy
> all the time. But given the choice I'd pick going with SP3 as by far the
> best alternative even tho nobody's going to force you to do it. Nobody
> forces you to go to the dentist, doctor, or change your oil periodically,
> but if you have good judgement, you'll do the wise thing. Just read the
> MS recommendations, back up your critical data, and do it, and you'll be
> better off in the long run.

I'm not having any problems with SP3... yet, but it was that update they
released the next day that did me in. It tried establishing a connection on
a LAN, which my one and only computer is not connected to, somehow
internally deactivated my DSL modem (it was only about half an hour of
messing around in the control panel before I finally tripped over the method
to reactivate it) and cleared the firewall log, so now every site I go to I
have to keep clicking approvals.

Just like any compu-tard I tend to keep the automatic maintenence things
activated, but no more. Screw MS, I'm not downloading anything more from
them until I see it discussed here first.

Olórin wrote:
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP******.com> wrote in message
> news:uqFcCYmAJHA.3568@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Then your WinXP SP2 machine must be fully patched otherwise.
>>
>> No, WinXP SP3 is not required to be offered other updates...at least not
>> until April 2010.
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>>
>> Doc wrote:
>>> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
>>> gives no other options for updates.
>>>
>>> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
>>> do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?
>
> So, I'm curious: is an SP3 machine that is offered no more updates more
> secure than an identical SP2 fully-patched machine?
>
> ["Groups" alt.windows-xp & alt.os.windows-xp removed]
>
>

Well, I restored Win XP from a second hard drive used for backup,
it was cloned. The backed up drive dated from about 18 months ago
and had SP2 but was missing at least 20 to 30 updates that have
come out in the last 18 months.

I was offered just one update choice, SP3, no intermediates, just
like the OP said. Now, about 2 months ago, I did a similar restore
starting from the SP2 level, and I must have downloaded and installed
maybe 30 updates. The behavior has changed fairly recently IMO.

Now, after the SP3 update, there were another 8-12 updates offered,
that were not offered before the SP3 update (or SP2). Actually the
change of policy makes sense. Why update 20+ post-SP2 updates, and
then update with SP3 also just to get its few improvements. Whereas
with SP3 you get the few improvements not offered before in the
automatic updates plus all the automatic updates. Actually you can
make a full update from XP SP1 or XP SP2 to SP3 and get all updates.

I didn't like the policy change initially. Because the SP3 update
had failed once on that computer, so I was planning on just doing
the intermediate updates from SP2 up to SP3, and not taking an SP3
risk. However, I did take a precaution of downloading all of SP3
first to the computer and it worked out ok and was of course easier.

Regards

Stephen Harris wrote:
<snip>
> Well, I restored Win XP from a second hard drive used for backup,
> it was cloned. The backed up drive dated from about 18 months ago
> and had SP2 but was missing at least 20 to 30 updates that have
> come out in the last 18 months.
>
> I was offered just one update choice, SP3, no intermediates, just
> like the OP said.

Then you must have installed WinXP SP3 after 08 Apr-08 and prior to 13
May-08.

> ...Now, about 2 months ago, I did a similar restore
> starting from the SP2 level, and I must have downloaded and installed
> maybe 30 updates. The behavior has changed fairly recently IMO.
>
> Now, after the SP3 update, there were another 8-12 updates offered,
> that were not offered before the SP3 update (or SP2)...

WinXP SP3 was released to Windows Update on 06 May-08 (and to Automatic
Updates on 10 Jul-08). As such, WinXP SP3 does not include any of the
updates released on or after 13 May-08, including...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-aug.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jul.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jun.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-may.mspx

If you install SP3 after 09 Sept-08, you'd also have to install any updates
released in September.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

What about 950749:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-may.mspx
The May updates which included 950749

List of fixes included in SP3: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/
Shows 950749 at the last entry in the list.

JS

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP******.com> wrote in message
news:e006GvvBJHA.1628@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Stephen Harris wrote:
> <snip>
>> Well, I restored Win XP from a second hard drive used for backup,
>> it was cloned. The backed up drive dated from about 18 months ago
>> and had SP2 but was missing at least 20 to 30 updates that have
>> come out in the last 18 months.
>>
>> I was offered just one update choice, SP3, no intermediates, just
>> like the OP said.
>
> Then you must have installed WinXP SP3 after 08 Apr-08 and prior to 13
> May-08.
>
>> ...Now, about 2 months ago, I did a similar restore
>> starting from the SP2 level, and I must have downloaded and installed
>> maybe 30 updates. The behavior has changed fairly recently IMO.
>>
>> Now, after the SP3 update, there were another 8-12 updates offered,
>> that were not offered before the SP3 update (or SP2)...
>
> WinXP SP3 was released to Windows Update on 06 May-08 (and to Automatic
> Updates on 10 Jul-08). As such, WinXP SP3 does not include any of the
> updates released on or after 13 May-08, including...
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-aug.mspx
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jul.mspx
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jun.mspx
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-may.mspx
>
> If you install SP3 after 09 Sept-08, you'd also have to install any
> updates released in September.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

TY, I stand corrected.

CORRECTIONS:
>> Then you must have installed WinXP SP3 after 08 Apr-08 and prior to 10
>> Jun-08.

>> ...WinXP SP3 does not include any of the
>> updates...
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-aug.mspx
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jul.mspx
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jun.mspx


JS wrote:
> What about 950749:
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-may.mspx
> The May updates which included 950749
>
> List of fixes included in SP3: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/
> Shows 950749 at the last entry in the list.
>
> JS
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP******.com> wrote in message
> news:e006GvvBJHA.1628@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Stephen Harris wrote:
>> <snip>
>>> Well, I restored Win XP from a second hard drive used for backup,
>>> it was cloned. The backed up drive dated from about 18 months ago
>>> and had SP2 but was missing at least 20 to 30 updates that have
>>> come out in the last 18 months.
>>>
>>> I was offered just one update choice, SP3, no intermediates, just
>>> like the OP said.
>>
>> Then you must have installed WinXP SP3 after 08 Apr-08 and prior to 13
>> May-08.
>>
>>> ...Now, about 2 months ago, I did a similar restore
>>> starting from the SP2 level, and I must have downloaded and installed
>>> maybe 30 updates. The behavior has changed fairly recently IMO.
>>>
>>> Now, after the SP3 update, there were another 8-12 updates offered,
>>> that were not offered before the SP3 update (or SP2)...
>>
>> WinXP SP3 was released to Windows Update on 06 May-08 (and to Automatic
>> Updates on 10 Jul-08). As such, WinXP SP3 does not include any of the
>> updates released on or after 13 May-08, including...
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-aug.mspx
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jul.mspx
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-jun.mspx
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms08-may.mspx
>>
>> If you install SP3 after 09 Sept-08, you'd also have to install any
>> updates released in September.
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Choose the other option; I forget what they're called now, but there are
two options on that screen when update gets thru checking what you need.
Click the other one and you'll be good to go.




> Olórin wrote:
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP******.com> wrote in message
>> news:uqFcCYmAJHA.3568@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Then your WinXP SP2 machine must be fully patched otherwise.
>>>
>>> No, WinXP SP3 is not required to be offered other updates...at
>>> least not until April 2010.
>>> --
>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>
>>>
>>> Doc wrote:
>>>> When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3
>>>> and gives no other options for updates.
>>>>
>>>> I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be
>>>> able to do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further
>>>> updates?
>>
>> So, I'm curious: is an SP3 machine that is offered no more updates
>> more secure than an identical SP2 fully-patched machine?
>>
>> ["Groups" alt.windows-xp & alt.os.windows-xp removed]
>>
>>
>
> Well, I restored Win XP from a second hard drive used for backup,
> it was cloned. The backed up drive dated from about 18 months ago
> and had SP2 but was missing at least 20 to 30 updates that have
> come out in the last 18 months.
>
> I was offered just one update choice, SP3, no intermediates, just
> like the OP said. Now, about 2 months ago, I did a similar restore
> starting from the SP2 level, and I must have downloaded and installed
> maybe 30 updates. The behavior has changed fairly recently IMO.
>
> Now, after the SP3 update, there were another 8-12 updates offered,
> that were not offered before the SP3 update (or SP2). Actually the
> change of policy makes sense. Why update 20+ post-SP2 updates, and
> then update with SP3 also just to get its few improvements. Whereas
> with SP3 you get the few improvements not offered before in the
> automatic updates plus all the automatic updates. Actually you can
> make a full update from XP SP1 or XP SP2 to SP3 and get all updates.
>
> I didn't like the policy change initially. Because the SP3 update
> had failed once on that computer, so I was planning on just doing
> the intermediate updates from SP2 up to SP3, and not taking an SP3
> risk. However, I did take a precaution of downloading all of SP3
> first to the computer and it worked out ok and was of course easier.
>
> Regards

On Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:58:28 -0400, Hula Baloo
<eepyeep@nospam.juno.com> wrote in part:

> Doc wrote:
> > When I got to Windows updates, it tells me I need to install SP3 and
> > gives no other options for updates.
> >
> > I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
> > do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?
> I can tell you I've installed SP3 on 40 PCs and they're all working
> fine. MS recommends SP3 for very good reasons - it fixes hundreds of
> known problems.
True, but how many are not fixed by SP2 with individual updates?
> Doc wrote:
> > I've heard of a lot of problems with SP3. Am I not going to be able to
> > do any further updates to SP2? Is it SP3 or no further updates?
> I can tell you I've installed SP3 on 40 PCs and they're all working
> fine. MS recommends SP3 for very good reasons - it fixes hundreds of
> known problems. In my opinion you're more exposed to the problems it
> fixes by not having it.
The problem is not with a few things (possibly critical) not working,
but with defective DRM which is likely to break any of your licensed
entertainment files and Windows itself at any time.

If you happen to have one of the few pieces of hardware that works
in SP2 but not in SP3 you probably can run it in a virtual machine
or replace it for a small cost (US$ hundreds).

If you update to SP3 you greatly increase the chance that you will
be unable to use your computer because Windows decided that the
Windows license you had the instant before was no longer valid, which
can happen at any time. Just for fun, problems unrelated to Windows
deciding it isn't legal, Microsoft and non-Microsoft software may
decide at anytime you don't have a valid copy of the media or you
need to convince the source of the media that you have validly
moved stuff to a new system, which is especially hard to do if the
media is no longer supported because the company went out of business
or just decided to no longer support it. (Yes, can happen with SP2,
but SP3 purposely makes triggering such events more likely.)