Windows XP SP3 - HTML Forums

welshsteve · 06-02-2008, 09:23 AM

Hi everyone.

What are your thoughts on this update?

My experiences have been bad, and I do not plan to upgrade again.

Some time last week I downloaded and installed XP SP3 on one of the machines at work (my machine). The Windows update option continues to fail for some reason, and Microsoft suggested I download the whole thing, which I did.

Anyhow, since the upgrade the machine got slower and slower to the point where it takes an age (a minute or so) to simply display a context menu when I right click on a file.

I thought, "Perhaps I have a virs or malware or something".

I therefore run a full virus scan using our network Anti Virus (AVG 7.5). Nothing found.

I then run a full clean using CCLeaner.

I then run a full malware scan (Spybot and Spyware Terminator), making registry backups before each. Nothing found, and machine still running terribly slow.

By this point I though, "it must be the service pack".

I therefore removed SP3 through Add/Remove Programs. This took a while and I re-booted afterwards. Upon re-starting, a CHKDSK run. I let it run through, then logged back in.

And would you believe it, the machine runs like a dream again.

My advice, steer clear of SP3

Paul · 06-27-2008, 09:47 PM

I had no problems with it so far. Maybe there was some kind of problem with your first installation, if you get bored and have nothing better to do maybe you could try it again and see if it works.

Seski · 07-14-2008, 01:52 PM

Been running it now for 3 months. If your having issues more than likely it is a Hardware issue. I would always update the Server Packs they really update and plug and the security holes on your box.

athomas · 07-24-2008, 12:10 PM

I've been running it since before it even was publically released. I have yet to encounter one problem.

Horus_Kol · 07-24-2008, 06:45 PM

been running on both home PCs for a couple of months, I'd say - not a problem

scoutt · 07-29-2008, 09:09 AM

us either. I have read where some users have experienced slowness on machines and some even say it hosed ther emachine. We have had one laptop that it was installed on and it took the nic drivers away and messed up DNS and TCP/IP. So bad it had to be uninstalled.

This is my suggestion and what you should be doing anyway. If you are not up to date with patches do not install SP3 until you are. Once you are then install it. I have not experienced or heard of slowness on any of the 1000 machines at work.

AnthonyDamasco · 07-31-2008, 11:28 AM

SP3 works fine for me... You might have software that runs in the background that isn't compatible with SP3, I would try going to "start -> Run -> msconfig and turning off everything except windows from running, then install the service pack, turn on one application at a time, and you will find the culprit

welshsteve · 07-31-2008, 11:40 AM

To be honest, I think it is my machine.

I've streamlined startup items on numerous occasions

but some stuff has to start up which I wouldn't normally have starting up.

For instance, the IP Office (phone system) voicemail app has to startup because for some unknown reason it must run from a desktop and not a server.

As well as this of course, AV software has to start. Other stuff that starts relates to my graphics and sound card.

I did have Apache and MySQL running locally on here for testing purposes, but I've removed that now.

This is my work machine and I'm mentally busy at the moment. When I get the chance I'm going to wipe it and start again. I'm sure that'll give it a whole new lease of life