Hi Rob,

SP3 installs NAP (Network Access Protection) to block your PC from certain network areas unless you accept and comply with software requirements designed to protect the the vendor/provider/network owner.  It adds more protection for Microsoft to prevent Windows Product Activation in certain circumstances.  It contains other spyware/controlware (including WinLiveID) that is in Vista, but not in XP, that is added to XP with SP3, for the purpose of providing security to vendors/network providers against "unauthorized access."  Personally, I would not install this on my PC.    --AnnaSummers

I don't know what's in the "Knowledge Base" article mentioned below, but I found this reference in a PDF explanation manual.  Perhaps you can find some useful information (from Microsoft) there.

"Knowledge Base article 936929 lists all other all Knowledge Base articles that Windows XP SP3 addresses. 
The following sections provide a high-level description of the functionality included in Windows XP SP3. For 

example, the service pack includes functionality previously released as updates, such as the Microsoft® 

Management Console (MMC) 3.0 and the Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0 (MSXML6). Users can download 

these updates and apply them individually to computers running Windows XP SP2. Windows XP SP3 also 

includes a small list of previously unavailable functionality, including NAP and an update of Windows Product 

Activation. "



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dean Kiley 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: Any latest advice re: do/don't install SP3?


Hey Rob,
This may or may not be true, however... when I did the install, along with
it came the new Internet Explorer. There was a noticeable slow down of
everything on my system (desktop) and ended up installing a video card with
enough onboard memory so that video would be taxing the system resources.
The addition definitely was an improvement, so I installed one on my wifes
machine as well and that machines performance also improved. The install
didn't seem to affect the laptop in any way, but then I'm guessing it was
designed for a little better video performance. 
Just my thoughts... as I recall, you could "undo" the install, but I could
be wrong on that aspect. I do know that the Internet Explorer can be removed
if your machine and the older version will still be intact.
Hope that helps a bit, good luck!
Dean

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Citkowitz
> Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 3:53 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [PCBUILD] Any latest advice re: do/don't install SP3?
> 
> I've been holding off - haven't seen any recent discussion.
> 
> If the pros outweigh the cons, what are the cons I should be aware of?
> 
> Thanks,
> Rob
> 
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