Michael wrote:
>Has anyone experienced after downloading SP3 for MS XP?>>


As with any major OS upgrade, I suspect it is best installed on a 
freshly-reformatted drive.

Most of the major probs arising from SP2 seemed to stem from it being 
installed on top of a lot of software/hardware already on the computer. 
This is bound to be fraught with potential difficulties.

In my own case, I tried several times to install SP2 without success onto 
an existing system. It simply got part way through each time, then stalled 
somewhere along the line. This seems consistent from what I've read in 
various forums.

After reformatting, I installed SP2 immediately after installing XP---it 
went without a hitch and has been perfect ever since. I think this is 
Microsoft's recommendation.  It's logical, anyway.

I would recommend the same for SP3. Installing it over the top of existing 
stuff may work for some, or it may work partly, or it may be a disaster. 
This explains why some users report it's fine for them, while others say 
it's no good.

My suggestion would be to wait until you need to overhaul your system. 
Meantime, secure your computer by other and better means.

Patches and updates are bit like putting the ambulance at the bottom of the 
cliff. It's better to put in place proper and simple security safeguards.

Don Penlington







 From the Beach at Surfers Paradise in sunny Queensland.
Computer tutorials, local scenery,  and other things at my website:
http://users.tpg.com.au/deepend/index1.html

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