Installing SPs for Windows is just like installing SPs for FSX, for them to work properly with the smallest chance of stuffing up you need a fresh installation with no additional programs/tweaks/edits/etc. I would suggest backing up important files/emails/saved games to a memory stick or external hard drive, formatting the hard drive, installing a fresh XP then upgrading to SP3.

Wingo wrote on Dec 29^th, 2007 at 8:26pm:


That is a TOTALLY unrealistic expectation for a service pack to an operating system.

How many people do you think are willing to attempt a clean OS install just to apply a
service pack?  With todays systems with programs and data taking up 100's GB's of
storage space and all the various installation procedures for the applications, addon, etc.,
this would ne a MAJOR undertaking for anyone, much less your average, barely computer
literate user.

If an software publisher can't create a service pack that can be installed over an
existing installation without PORKING things as it installs, then that company
shouldn't be in the business of creating service packs or operating systems...

     Paul ....I'll pass on SP3 anyhow, since my XP ion my four machimes does
  everything I need it to do as is....

macca22au wrote on Dec 30^th, 2007 at 5:20am:



Installation of a service pack absolutely does not require O/S reinstallation unless stated otherwise by the O/S vendor. There are some exceptions though and in the main they have to do with installations that have been mutilated by malware or ill advised system tinkering/badly written third party apps or O/S shell extensions.

Always check the accompanying docs before installation. You may be required to install additional patches or BIOS or driver updates first.

If you have made manual changes to the Windows registry, there is always the chance that something will slip through that causes the update to fail in some way. The circumstances in which MS support regedits are slimmer than a supermodel after a purging session.

Most importantly, always do a full backup and make a system restore point prior to starting work, if it all goes wrong and you have neither of these you are officially stuffed. You should in any event have a rolling program of backups.

Lastly if you're running ripped/cracked Windows, who knows what's going on in there.... Many cracked installations are thoroughly compromised by design of the miscreants who cracked them. I've been asked to take a look at botched Windows installs that haven't behaved in the past and in the majority of cases they have been fine examples of the one eyed, wooden legged, parrot toting brigades handiwork. In short, I've sounded more or less sympathetic and walked away.

Anyone that has hand edited their registry to gain XP Professional functionality from XP Home is also going to run into problems.

In any event, I would never recommend installation of a MS Release Candidate on any PC that absolutely positively has to deliver the goods. I've done a lot of O/S beta testing and RC testing in the past and can only recommend it for PC's that are regarded as none essential, whether in the office or the home. The opportunities for a very big, very unpleasant surprise are just too great to potentially inflict death and mutilation on your main PC.

I do know those who recommend annual reinstallation but if you look after it and feed it correctly there is no good reason to suspect that your Windows install shouldn't last for the lifetime of your PC.