Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types - Gizmodo Comments

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Hello_Newman — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:57:48 EDT

All it takes is updating early one time with Windows to learn that your sound card or something else might stop working and no fix is gonna out for a month and a reinstall is the only way out.

Hello_Newman

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

geowrian — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:53:44 EDT

@daftrok: If they open up their OS to other PCs, have a LOT more computability with PC games, and cut down the prices significantly on their products then they wouldn't suck. In other words...they SUCK.

I'd like to see them open the OS up, but I can also see that it's much easier to program and anticipated problems and add features when you know exactly what hardware it will be running on and what major software that will be running alongside. It's a matter of simplicity and reliability over an open platform. As for the price, it is a lot, but that doesn't tell you anything about their quality. For games, that's tough since Apple doesn't make the games...their Quartz is great, but computer games are usually made using DirectX, which MS owns the rights to. Sadly, there's little Apple can really do to change that until they have a larger market share so the creators have a profitable reason to rewrite core parts of their rendering code.

geowrian

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Scott — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:51:52 EDT

The Terms of Use on the file still says the words "This is a Pre-Release Version", even though the title and files name give no indications of build number of RC or RTM designation. I'm just gonna hold off until the 29th. Its not like SP2 is going to explode or anything...

Scott

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

DeadlyDad — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:01:34 EDT

@Taomyn & Papa Midnight: Well, the file names are identical, but the files linked in the article are larger than the one in the Microsoft link (331805736 vs. 330554920). To make things even more confused, The Major Geeks page lists it as 'RC2', while the SoftPedia page lists the same one as 'FINAL'. DOH!

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Ah, well. The proper one will be automatically downloaded when I run Offline Update on the 29th, I'm not too worried. That reminds me: I'll have to generate a new nLite image, as well.

DeadlyDad

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

boe — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:36:16 EDT

I gave Vista and Vista SP1 very negative reviews because of painfully bad performance - and it deserves it. But I'm now running Windows 2008 on my workstation and I have to say it runs GREAT. It runs as fast as XP for just about everything! That isn't a reason to pay to switch from XP bot 2008 but at least it is in theory possible for the new MS OS to be good.

I have the aero interface turned on, gadgets/sidebar running - lots of bells and whistles turned on and so far all my DX10 games run grate and all my old apps run great even my sonicwall runs as well as all my printers and scanner.

So far I've only got two things I can't run - HALO2 (LOL- seriously - yet COD4, Q4, UT3, Bioshock, Crysis, MOHA etc all run great). And I'm still hoping someone figures a way to get media center on 2008 - seems like you can run everything else that comes with VIsta but on an OS that actually runs fast!

boe

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

sharmanova — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:25:52 EDT

@kavendano14:

Are they really though? After you pound for beautiful pound plus comparable software from iLife? Really? Me thinkith not.

sharmanova

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

laxm.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:49:42 EDT

people still use windows?

laxm.com

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Papa Midnight — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:52:59 EDT

Ahem...

[download.microsoft.com]

Papa Midnight

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Taomyn — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:44:08 EDT

Got the same GDI32.DLL issue and got a copy of an earlier version from within the service pack itself as I'd fortunately extracted the main EXE manually, and the previous version on my XP partition didn't work.

However, I'm thinking this "leak" is actually "RC2" as the KB in the file name, KB936929 and the link all are RC2.

Would the release version have a new KB number?

Taomyn

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

ZR07 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:25:55 EDT

Vista to save the day!

I booted into Vista, replaced gdi32.dll with the latest, previous version. Reboot into XP. Voila! :)

ZR07

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

ZR07 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:18:09 EDT

Wuh oh. I just applied the patch and was greeted with this upon reboot:
STOP:c0000139 entry Point Not Found
the procedure entry point GdiGetBitmapBitssize could ot be located in the dynamic link library GDI32.dll
At least two other people are posting about the same problem on Technet already ([forums.microsoft.com]).

Any help would be appreciated.

ZR07

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

daftrok — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:14:35 EDT

@geowrian:
If they open up their OS to other PCs, have a LOT more computability with PC games, and cut down the prices significantly on their products then they wouldn't suck. In other words...they SUCK.

daftrok

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

geowrian — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:55:19 EDT

@jackfrost132:
"If SP3 is anything like SP2 was, I'm prepared to be frustrated to no end."

It's not. SP2 had many major OS changes (added a firewall & enabled by default, added a popup blocker, added DEP, etc.). SP3 is just a large hotfix. Nothing that should really cause any major problems.

@daftrok:

Somewhat...many of the parts are similar, but they claim to use more enterprise-class parts. Personally, I see a much lower percentage of hardware failures in Macs than PCs. I could be wrong. Also, Apple does use some proprietary parts, so you definitely won't have them in other laptops.

Personally, I won't get a Mac because of the price. Of coarse, that's a major concern for me. For people that care less about the price and more about usability and reliability, I can definitely see Macs as a good option.

geowrian

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

legacye — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:40:22 EDT

I'm undecided on whether to install this so some help would be nice.

I genuinely like Vista. If you've purchased a laptop anytime in the past year with new hardware on it (I've bought two) and you have at least half a brain, it works quite well.

That said, I find myself able to do LESS with Vista than I used to be able to using XP SP2. The only reason I've been sticking with it is the security - one year and not a single virus, spyware bot or worm.

So here's my question to those who have tried out both - does SP3 give XP the same level of security as Vista has now?

I read somewhere that MS might have included some of those features in it, but those who are running the thing would be able to confirm whether this is true or not.

Thanks!

legacye

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

vetis — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:34:50 EDT

@ Ssscorpion
Puppy linux isn't bad as an intro. It was the first distro I used (recovered files from a corrupt XP comp). Comfortable for Win users, NTFS support, active community, and lots of versions for various needs (the official versions should suit most, though).

vetis

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

SomeoneUKno — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:29:01 EDT

Seems to be working OK over here. I installed it on a VM so I could get a chance to test it out before I stuck it on the main installation of XP. I do have to say that it is booting faster now.

SomeoneUKno

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

ZR07 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:22:05 EDT

Grabbing it at 10MBps. Was going to download RC2 (or 3?) a few days back but decided to wait. We'll see if it's worth all the hype.

Currently dual-booting Vista and XP so best of both worlds...that is until Ubuntu 8 becomes final. Mac? eh...maybe on my laptop.

ZR07

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

ByeBye — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:19:43 EDT

Any bugs in this?

ByeBye

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

ByeBye — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:17:17 EDT

So, is it any good?

ByeBye

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

m-p{3} — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:57:53 EDT

@dead_red_eyes: Buy an OpenMac then.

m-p{3}

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

secretasianmang — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:19:05 EDT

@daftrok:
Let the Kool-Aid fans think they're cool by spending extra money on the same hardware and a locked down OS called OSX.

Me... well, I'll use Windows XP (like 90% of the people out there) because of the number of productivy software available, very wide selection of hardware selection, and lots of games available on the market.

For me, Windows just works. Then again I've been using and custom building computers for the last 20 years. My neophyte parents don't seem to have trouble using their Windows XP computer for daily tasks using a limited user account (they're not having any issues with spyware or viruses).

secretasianmang

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

AJ_Syrinx — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:16:33 EDT

@pipper: I thought it was a 10% speed increase.

AJ_Syrinx

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Hawkskater — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:45:38 EDT

Forget sp3, i gave up on microsoft and went to ubuntu

Hawkskater

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

daftrok — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:37:59 EDT

@dead_red_eyes:
Yeah dude, there are also $10,000 DVD players but I'm pretty sure you get that "sore anus" feeling after you bought it just like you do after slamming $2800 for a laptop. And not to mention, the OS has a value: its $129. Not $1000.

daftrok

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Evangelion — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:36:38 EDT

lol! I'm tempted to try it...

Evangelion

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

jackfrost132 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:16:13 EDT

@Ssscorpion: You should give Ubuntu a spin it has a huge community to help you through your woes and it's been my fav distro thus far.

@pipper: BAHAHAHAHAHA Not unless they've developed PCP for computers.

jackfrost132

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

pipper — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:03:34 EDT

So, with the rumored 30% speed increase with SP3, I can finally run Crysis full detail on my trusty Pentium 4?

pipper

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

SomeoneUKno — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:57:32 EDT

@SomeoneUKno: Give me the chance to install is what I meant... I really should try reading what I write before I post it up.

SomeoneUKno

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

SomeoneUKno — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:56:55 EDT

@dead_red_eyes: Solution: Buy your computer from another retailer OTHER than Toshiba or other expensive companies. There's tons of manufacturers out there.

Pwn.

Oh, and on the part about the OS itself: Ummmm... VMWare will give me Leopard, or any version of OS X that i like without paying out the ass for a Mac. It's been done before.

SomeoneUKno

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Ssscorpion — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:51:48 EDT

I was just thinking today about learning how to use that Puppy Linux.

Ssscorpion

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

dead_red_eyes — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:50:16 EDT

@daftrok:

Toshiba sells laptops that cost $2000+ (as well as many other companies), so your argument has been SHOT DOWN right there. Yes, yes ... it's the same hardware ... but you forgot to mention the most important part of owning a Mac ... The OS itself.

dead_red_eyes

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

daftrok — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:23:24 EDT

Lets get this out of the way:

Mac sucks because it shows how stupid people are into believing that the hardware is superior when its NOT. Its the same CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD, DVD, SCREEN, WEBCAM and WIRELESS. The only difference is its trendy casing. Other than that, I'm not going to spend 1100 bucks on a gimped Macbook when I can get a lot more for the same price and only making the laptop weigh a 1/4 pound more and 1/2 inch thicker. MBP are ripoffs too. 2000 bucks for a 15"? 2800 for a 17"? Sorry, I'd much rather use Leopard on a PC.

PC sucks because they are running Windows and because of stupid Microsoft's monopolistic mentality they'll never fix the features. Unfortunately Linux, though improving, isn't for those not decent at some form of programming nor does it have enough of the one major thing that makes dealing with Windows worth it: GAMES. Yes Linux makes drivers but not nearly enough. Linux needs more compatibility to be deemed the number one choice. I (and probably most people) don't want to deal with multiple OS's. I want one that does it all, and unfortunately that OS happens to be Windows.

daftrok

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

jackfrost132 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:18:38 EDT

@bobide: If SP3 is anything like SP2 was, I'm prepared to be frustrated to no end.

jackfrost132

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

packetsniffer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:12:03 EDT

@Sir Gibler:
he he he

packetsniffer

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

YoMommaIsMyMomma — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:10:36 EDT

hahahaha Apple sucks........... jk

YoMommaIsMyMomma

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

bobide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:49:35 EDT

I'll just wait thank you. Jumping the gun with windows related updates has never seemed to pay off.

bobide

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

kavendano14 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:47:20 EDT

@dead_red_eyes: Thats fine, I would understand if I had a Mac, but they're so goddamn expensive. Damn you Apple!!

kavendano14

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

dead_red_eyes — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:45:18 EDT

@xint: - "I will never go back to VISTA after using VISTA."

Yeah, it didn't impress me at all when it first came out, which is the main reason why I finally jumped ship over to a Mac. After building my own PCs for the last 10 years, and using Windows ... I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed a change, and Vista wasn't what I was expecting.

dead_red_eyes

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

dead_red_eyes — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:40:56 EDT

@kavendano14:

Hey, what can I say ... loooove making music on my MBP. I only turn on my PC these days to play a game off of Steam, or some Max Payne for old times.

dead_red_eyes

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

Rodime — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:36:33 EDT

d000d just use ur c64, screw windows, nobody smart uses it!

Rodime

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

kavendano14 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:31:24 EDT

@genexrocket: Thats the release candidate 2, this is the final build

kavendano14

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

genexrocket — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:30:00 EDT

Am I missing something? 'cause I've had my XP SP3 installed for about a month now, I just installed it last month when windows told me there were new updates. Says I have SP3 v.3311

genexrocket

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

man in gauze is king ramses II, silly. — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:29:12 EDT

I've had the RC of SP3 for months now. Is there any difference?

man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.

Windows XP SP3 Final Unofficially Available For Impatient Types

xint — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:26:41 EDT

I've got a project scheduled for the summer to make the SP3 updates on few dozen computers... maybe three...
I will also watch out for the reports and feed on the update.

xint