SP3 is a relatively minor SP (when compared to SP2). Just load it. The installer should actually create a restore point when it begins for you, but you can guarantee this by making your own.

You can't prevent Windows Update from offering it, but you can ignore it. Eventually SP2 will go out of support and if you want security fixes and other updates (which you do), you will have to load SP3.

For now, yes. Eventually, no. Whether you want it or not it will have to happen. May as well get over it and do it.

thanks and thanks...

thanks and thanks...

You can currently download and install any non-SP3 upgrades by using the "custom" choice. As for removing the toxic SP3 I used the "restore" function.

MisterNice

Same here. I never even thought to back it up myself prior to the installation.

At home and at work, I have 5-year old Dell desktops. Both gave error messages when trying to load Service Pack 3. The messages were "Access is denied", followed by "Service pack installation did not complete". It took a long time to get to that point in the install process. Then the program went through a removal process of the partially installed update.

Sounds like others have had the same problem. I decided to not pursue it any further.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

Might work if you download the program, but don't install it. Just save it on your desktop or in a folder. Or, simply delete it.

I downloaded and installed it a few weeks ago. I didn't notice any improvements, but there was one major problem (to me, at least). The address box in the lower task bar is removed with SP3, on purpose. A real PITA. After trying to cope with this issue for a week or so, I removed SP3 and went back to SP2.

I have now downloaded and installed SP3 on four different machines. If you have not done this yet, just be aware that it is a rather time consuming process, probably taking close to 45 minutes in each case to install and to restart. Everything went smoothly in each instance, but just be aware that it is not something to start to do unless you have the time to let it all happen... I sure would hate to interrupt the process because I had to go somewhere.

Where/what exactly is this address bar?

My experience with SP3

I received the automatic request to download SP3, so I backed up to my stand alone hard disk. I then preceded to download which took around 45min. Then restarted my pc as requested. The pc started in safe mode, so I started it again and all seemed ok. Later I tried to download photo's from my camera via the usb cable supplied but nothing happend, then I tried to print and nothing happend so called my computer wizz. He came around and found that none of my usb ports were been seen by my pc. He tried to use the restore point in the windows software but his did not work. He could not use my stand alone backup as this require a usb port.
To keep my business functioning he put my printers on a network and said he would come back later when he had had a think about it, that was two weeks ago.
I will report back when things get sorted out.

Ray :confused:

I started having a lot of problems on one machine after SP3 so I rolled it back. Don't know why.

I started having lots of problems with XP week before last.

SP3 fixed them! :cool: