i just downloaded and installed sp3 for xp , and my machine seems faster ?

duncan bladen said:
Not just you.

Yes, I have seen somewhere that there is supposed to be a 10% improvement in performance over SP2 overall. Service Packs generally increase security, fix issues, and improve performance.

Really? You care to post the link of the download? Last time I checked many people had SP3 but Microsoft hadn't officially released it since from what I understand it's still not complete, but from what I've read there's a Final Candidate Version release that supposedly is closed to finished and working fully.

Hmmm I wodner if you have to re activate after installing this.

Meats of Evil said:

Discussion of various SP3 releases and version 5512 v. hypothetical FINAL final version 5573
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/70645/

in particular...reference to Microsoft SP3 release listed as "Final" with NO "RC" designation at the time of the post. Version Hashes were equal to 5512 version.
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/70645/#534938

Is it the final version?

If so please post a link. I don't want to download an older SP3 update.

Thanks.

i turned my pc on , and it downloaded sp3 - but i had trouble trying to install , because i had modified the boot ini file - [to change the boot screen] , but it is genuine - you dont have to re activate or anything - i had to remove bootxp , and it installed ok , heres the link..http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

duncan bladen said:

There is NO difference between this "new" SP3 file and the "Windows XP SP3 final RTM version 5.1.2600.5512" file Microsoft first made available 24April2008. (RTM=Release To Manufacturing)


I just a few minutes ago, downloaded and compared this (apparently) 06May2008 file* and the 24April2008 file. I performed bit-by-bit, MD5 hash, and SHA-1 hash compares. All 3 parameters were identical.

This is the SAME (version 5512)
"Windows XP SP3 final RTM version 5.1.2600.5512"
file as has been available since 24April2008 on the Microsoft website.
See:
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/70645/#534479
and
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/70645/#534938





edit-add backup reminder and program info
(sorry for multiple clean-up edits...once again on max pain meds...blaacchhh)

There is NO difference between this "new" SP3 file and the "Windows XP SP3 final RTM version 5.1.2600.5512" file Microsoft first made available 24April2008. i didnt say there was a difference - i was not aware it had previously been released, my pc just picked it up through automatic updates . see the first line of my post again ...i turned my pc on , and it downloaded sp3

Wasn't making an issue of your post. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

I was trying to emphasize it for those who might have already downloaded the 24April2006 "5512" version by Microsoft (or something in-between). Mainly because it can be a real problem/impossible to back-out an earlier version of an SP and then install a later version.

I wanted people to be absolutely clear they don't need to be concerned that they might have installed a lower version and have a lot of work to do, or might have screwed things up. Confusion can be a problem when we have multiple threads that are related to the same topic.

ok john , i took your post the wrong way , sorry - iwasnt trying to say it was final release - my pc auto updates downloaded it , i took this as being an official download , or i wouldnt have got it ?

duncan bladen said:


Its been 'officially' released twice. Once about 3 weeks ago, and once again the other day. Apparently there was some sort of security flaw or something, but have obviously decided that it was minor enough to release it again.

DublinGunner said:
Oh now that reeeeally makes technical sense...not. What were they thinking? Having the "5573" version "Final version" rumor out there didn't help the matter any, either. Arrrrggh.

Do they make a Bill Gates "Bobble-head"?

Yep, preeeeeeety damn stooopid if you ask me. But thats them boffins for ya!