[Frank4d]

So far good, only a couple of minor annoyances. SP3 reset my folder views so the Windows, System32 and Program Files folders pop up with the "Are you really sure you know what you are doing and want to view these files anyway?". And folders open with common tasks on the left (which I had previously turned off). When I click on Media Player, Windows tries to step me through installation of Media Player version 9. I am not sure where that came from, I would expect it to help me install version 11 since that is the latest for XP.

[DaChew]

it left my mediaplayer 10 alone as well as my directshow codecs

[CTPhil]

Originally Posted by Frank4d

So far good, only a couple of minor annoyances. SP3 reset my folder views so the Windows, System32 and Program Files folders pop up with the "Are you really sure you know what you are doing and want to view these files anyway?". And folders open with common tasks on the left (which I had previously turned off). When I click on Media Player, Windows tries to step me through installation of Media Player version 9. I am not sure where that came from, I would expect it to help me install version 11 since that is the latest for XP.

I got the same WMP9 installation window, other than that, no glitches and business as usual. Some people have reported their computers running faster, can't prove it by me.

[JStergis]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

If you install it, I recommend the full image backup BEFORE you start the installation.

I ran an image on mine before I installed the beta on my laptop.

For me it worked, but I didn't see much difference without digging around. It was significantly less stable though. It would randomly hang, lockup, and give stop errors. Needless to say, I went back to SP2. I might try the final again when it comes out, but I'll definitely make an image again.

[DaChew]

apply it in normal mode with as close to as few a processes running as possible

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

[JStergis]

Originally Posted by DaChew

apply it in normal mode with as close to as few a processes running as possible

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

Okay, I'll try that with the final. I'm not big on updates. Pretty much all I ever run is service pack installs, so I like them to work.

[PEGLEG50]

Update Mngr took over my computer so I deleted it! Manually downloaded the latest updates/installed and now can't reconnect through my ISP. (Earthlink), On a Dial-up Modem. (This my Auntie's computer.) Earth-UN-link gave me so many different error msgs and fixes I stopped counting. Last thing they told me was, "Windows removed some dll files that Earthlink 'Total Access' needed to function." But they don't know which ones.

Can some one help?

I don't think all Earthlink subscribers are Ka-Put.

Most of the Error msgs come when the connection has been made to their server but can't be resolved for a long and constantly changing list of errors.

[DaChew]

I fight a lot of malware infections on clients computers, I used to just grab their data and reinstall but enjoy the fight now. Having an updated xp disk of the right variety to run as a repair disk is probably
my most crucial tool.

I hate to take a fully updated and corrupted computer and kick it all the way back to sp2, I ran that for a year w/o doing any updates and like to got wiped out in a drive by malware attack.

[EnfoToad]

I have currently stopped Windows Update from loading at startup. It has tremendously effected my PC (faster boot). Plus I don't get any viruses and the PC runs smooth.

[PEGLEG50]

Man Oh Man I should have logged on as 'Dumb Luck!

Don't ask Earthlink anything. (Bless all ISP's)

After having no success with them I just started deleting files.
First, all cookies, then, temp files and 'Presto' I now have unfettered access to the web.

After deleting temp files I just restarted Total Access. No removal and reinstalation. Just fire it up, enter user info and the brick wall at the server is gone.
How's that for computer lingo?

Q. How come when I want to solve a problem it eludes me, and when I start wiping things out, I stumble on the fix?
A. Anyone?

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by PEGLEG50

Q. How come when I want to solve a problem it eludes me, and when I start wiping things out, I stumble on the fix?
A. Anyone?

I have done that too.
The other day I found 10 Explorer application thingies. I looked at the dates, and they were all old. So I got rid of them.

Prior to this, my PC had an attack that destroyed the firwall, and totally fragmented my Explorer Browser (that was provided by Comcast). My connection to Comcast is gone....but I can still access the internet through Firefox, and indirectly through Windows Explorer.

I cannot get an Explorer Browser to set up and put the access button on the desktop....too weird.
The fragmented Comcast provided Explorer still tries to make contact from time to time....I have yet to find it, but it will pop up or go away as I clean out more junk

This happened once before when I tried to get rid of Mcaffe that was provided by AOL....what a nightmare. The fragments left behind would not let Explorer access the internet at all...I had to go into the registry and do some scary things......then a bunch of junk started appearing that I deleted, and most of the problem went away.

Meanwhile, I had to go online unprotected, as setting an old firewall I had was out of question to the Mcaffe fragments, and I had less than two minutes before it would kick me off...and had to download Firefox to see if that could go around the problem until I could find a solution. I had high speed, so that worked.
And Mcafee fragment nightmare did not recognize Firefox, and I was able to find a better Firewall and download it fast.

It took weeks to clean the mess up, and it never totally got clean.

But I did get the Explorer Browser up and running, unfettered.

Now the poor aging PC is going thru another bout with the Explorer Browser and internet access....I suspect I will find the gunk hanging it up through deletion

[Gabriel]

Suffice to say, I am not looking forward to the SP3 thingy in my new latop....I had a small intuitive tug to go with Vista, but did not listen to it

[EnfoToad]

So SP3 should be coming out tomorrow! Lets hope for the best guys.

[ekim68]

Last minute stuff.

XP SP3 not generally available yet, after all

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1368&tag=nl.e589

[Frank4d]

It isn't available. That is why it is on Microsoft's download site:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/ms...2300ebfde4.exe