Service Pack 3

from Sins Forums

Ok, I know Serivce Pack 3 for Windows XP came out a while ago.

For those who have upgraded to SP3 from SP2, do you need to reinstall programs after you upgraded it?

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Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I didn't have to reinstall any programs.  What programs ere you thinking might be affected by the installation of SP3?

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

do you need to reinstall programs after you upgraded it?

No, infact I left all my customizations apps loaded and running while updating to SP3 and had no issues at all.

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Ok...I wasn't sure, I just wanted to find out just incase

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Ok, I know Serivce Pack 3 for Windows XP came out a while ago.

For those who have upgraded to SP3 from SP2, do you need to reinstall programs after you upgraded it?

It shouldn't be necessary to reinstall any programs... the updates may change files by adding new functionality, but rarely removes functionality which would prevent an application or service from working correctly. 

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Just to let you know...

I had to completely reinstall my system after the first time I tried to install SP3.

The SP went sour, and nothing I could do would get rid of errant files. Nothing worked. Period.

I would suggest you back up any critical files before you go to SP3, especially if your system is a bit dated.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

If you have Spore, you should reformat your HDD first.  I would have had no issues whatsoever, if I didn't have the Spore Creature Creator on my machine.  Unfortunately, SP3 tried to update a portion of the registry that was locked by <Spore's DRM - I forget the name>.  It caused the SP3 update to fail, and XP went into a slow death spiral.

I hadn't intended this as an anti-DRM post, but I guess it ended up that way.  The point was be careful if you have Spore or anything else that locks the registry.  Otherwise, the SP3 update should be pretty smooth.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Moosetek13, reply 5
Just to let you know...

I had to completely reinstall my system after the first time I tried to install SP3.

The SP went sour, and nothing I could do would get rid of errant files. Nothing worked. Period.

I would suggest you back up any critical files before you go to SP3, especially if your system is a bit dated.

I know long ago when I was working for Microsoft the most common cause for updates to fail was anti_virus software running while the updates were trying to install.  A corrupt download can also be the cause, but these are very rare.  I'm not sure what caused the SP3 install to start coughing up blood, but the application and system logs are usually good at providing clues.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

Damm why does updating causes a whole lot problems, I swear why I update my Linux system I didn't even had this problem