XP SP3

[cookie_monster]

I can see the overview page dated 4/1/2008 does this mean something?

 

What ya think?

 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68c48dad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en

[Joanne]

they've probably shoved a few extra updates in there

[cookie_monster]

They've altered how windows update works slightly in the refresh but do you think that the new documentation appearing means we are close to liftoff?

[srochford]

Yes - MS generally upload the docs before they actually release the software - this gives us a chance to read it, work out if it's going to break anything and then download it when we're fully prepared.

 

I, of course, will just download it, install it and scream when it all goes wrong :-)

[cookie_monster]

I found this in wikip (yes i know) but it looks like it's any day now.

 

* April 14, 2008: Support is available for the release version of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP

* April 21, 2008: Original Equipment Manufacturers, Volume License, Connect, and MSDN and TechNet subscribers

* April 29, 2008: Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Download Center

[Geoff]

Fun

[Michael]

About time too! XP SP3 should be a really good release by the looks of things.

[Geoff]

Anyone see any clues as to what sort of size it is, and how long it takes to install. I'm debating if I should just let WSUS sort it out, or if I should do a 'planned' rollout. It really depends on how long it's going to tie up machines for...

[Michael]

I believe it's around the 580MB mark.

[Michael]

And as for deployment, I really wouldn't rush it as it's still essentially XP SP2 + hotfixes = SP3.

 

I would probably re-image new machines with SP3 initially. I'll just need to create a slipstream XP SP3 disc first. Thinking about it though, I wonder if XP SP3 will still fit on a CD? 580MB is a lot so there's a slight possibility it may have to be burned on DVD.

[sparkeh]

There is a pinch of new stuff but nothing worth rushing for.

 

Be nice for new installs though

[cookie_monster]

I won't be deploying it other than to new builds, i'll just slipstream it onto the WDS server after testing. This will save the WSUS quite a bit of work (poor thing).

 

@ Geoff: The last beta version was 344Mb (it's bound to be pretty big as it includes XP SE aka SP2) so i'd anticipate somewhere around there, it didn't take long to install on my box (Core 2 with 1Gig RAM) approx 15 mins i think.

 

In a break from the norm I've also heard that you need to have SP1 installed as a minimum.

[sparkeh]

In a break from the norm I've also heard that you need to have SP1 installed as a minimum.

 

Looking through the documentation confirms this.

 

It also states that through the Download centre the size = 580Mb and through win update typically 70Mb

[Geoff]

Fine, I'll just leave WSUS to chew on it.

[cookie_monster]

As it uses an 'inteligent' installer a fully patched SP2 box should only need approx 70Mb of the half gig beast from the WSUS server (seems large for saying the beta from last month was 344Mb)

[gshaw]

I'll drop it on the new images for summer methinks, makes updating easier - no more installer 3.1 woo

[James2k]

I recently tried installing SP3 on my personal computer at home and well lets just say blue screen of death

[sparkeh]

I recently tried installing SP3 on my personal computer at home and well lets just say blue screen of death

 

But that was a beta or RC yeah?

[James2k]

Yeah but you wouldnt expect a Blue screen on a fresh install... Even when I slipstreamed it.

[sparkeh]

Yeah but you wouldnt expect a Blue screen on a fresh install... Even when I slipstreamed it.

 

Hmm from a well piece of software from a company with a history of releasing stable software? No.

 

But still, pre-release versions will always have these kind of show stoppers.

[mattpant]

Any news on when SP3 (Final Version) can be downloaded? They orginally spoke of it being avaiable around the same time as Vista SP1 which that was last month sometime!

[Sirbendy]

I got 3 BSODs in quick succession, then it settled down..been using it fine since.. That was..ooh, a month back.

[k-strider]

if you Want to use 2008s Shiny new Remote App (Web Based) Terminal Services, then you need Remote Desktop 6.1 on the client PC, which is in SP3... or Vista SP1.

[Geoff]

Remote Desktop 6.1 has been avalible as an optional update for ages. I approved it on my WSUS server months ago.

[cookie_monster]

Well it's April 21st so i suppose we need to wait untill 9AM in Redmond when they pull the switch :-)