SP3

[Bigjake]

Yes or No??

I'm reformating the ol' magic elf box, and It's the update I'm currently mulling over.

[Paragon]

I would say no, but I kept it off so I could run XPlite and strip out all the stuff in XP that I don't use. 

[lee n. field]

SP3, yeah or nay?

Why ever not?

[Gewehr98]

SP3 is the last XP service pack, period.

Any security patches you get via Microsoft from that point on will be issued piecemeal, if at all.

I haven't run into many harware or software compatibility issues with SP3.

I've upgraded approximately 2 dozen XP SP2 machines so far, with nary a hiccup.

I'd say go for it. 

[cosine]

Just as a warning, if you have an HP computer with an AMD processor and update to SP3 you may find that Windows just reboots constantly. You should be able to boot your computer in safe mode and modify the file name of the offending file preventing your computer from booting. I had this problem. I don't remember the details, but do a web search and you'll get all the information you need. It's an easy fix. Or HP might have a patch for it now. 

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01457284&lc=en&cc=us&product=390426&dlc=en

http://inverity.org/articles/fixsp3.htm

http://www.blogsdna.com/130

Since the fix I've had no problems at all with SP3.

[RevDisk]

Yes or No??

I'm reformating the ol' magic elf box, and It's the update I'm currently mulling over.

Yes.  It does not add or remove functionality.  It's mainly security updates and bug fixes.

[Bigjake]

Thanks, guys.

Just had heard mixed reviews, and I trust the opinions here, So I wanted to consult y'all before I went and installed this.

[robear]

I've done the SP3 update on 4 machines so far.  All are Intel chip machines.  No problems to speak of.

[jackdanson]

Did sp3 on my homebuilt AMD.. no problems.. actually less problems than sp2. (had some spyware sneaking through on occasion with sp2)