I'm running Win XP pro on my laptop and have it connected to the uni's network. After upgrading to SP3 my connection with the printer network went bananas and printing was more or less impossible (I posted a request for help here: http://briskoda.net/forums/tech-shed/win-xp-sp3-printer-network-trouble/111195/ )

I've now uninstalled SP3 and everything works splendidly. So if you think about doing the upgrade, remember that there can be problems ahead (maybe not if you run it at home without a big network) and it may be wise to wait for the next version.

Edit: Another strange thing that may not affect every user (but some) is that if you have IE 7 (or 8 beta) installed and then install SP3 IE cannot be uninstalled unless you first uninstall SP3 (thank you, Mr. Gates :P )

To avoid this, remember to uninstall IE before installing SP3 (and then re-install IE if you cannot live without it)

Theres been some reported problems with AMD processors running OEM versions of Windows. But I believe these are shutdown / reboot problems. Try downloading the .iso file and installing it from that, as Windows Update may miss key .dll whilst updating.

Have been running SP3 since RC times - no problems to report at all

Theres been some reported problems with AMD processors running OEM versions of Windows. But I believe these are shutdown / reboot problems. Try downloading the .iso file and installing it from that, as Windows Update may miss key .dll whilst updating.

Have been running SP3 since RC times - no problems to report at all

I'm running SP3 with no issues too. The problem you are on about affect images built for both AMD and Intel used on AMD PCs, and yes, it's OK if you use the ISO to install.

when did sp3 come out? might be the reason why my other laptop wont connect.

when did sp3 come out? might be the reason why my other laptop wont connect.

Last Tuesday it was added to windows automatic updates (for the second time )

Type systeminfo into a command prompt and it'll tell you whether its installed or not

I got a new computer on Monday so I thought I would be cool and have SP3 installed on a new install of XP but when I went to upgrade the sound drivers they wouldn't install, I had a wee google and guess what, SP3 was the problem :( I had to do a new install of XP with out SP3 and all ok now

BEWARE !!!!!!

Since SP3 basically is just a cumulative security update there should not be any risks if you wait to install it as long as you have updated regularly during the last year.

I will wait for a few months and then download the latest full SP3 version (not just the automatic update) since I've seen a few comments on the web indicating that the full upgrade can eliminate some problems that arise from the condensed automatic version.

This is the first time ever I've had problems after an upgrade of any programme in 10 years time (apart, of course, from understandable problems when drivers for Win98 refuses to function properly under WinXP). I've counted myself lucky when reading various user forums filled with desperate cries for help with problems during or after instalment. This time it was my turn, apparently.

SP3 will not be changed now, it has been RTM'd so that means that the code is now fixed in time. If any driver problems are discovered it will be cause the author of those drivers have used backdoors in their code that have now been closed. It will now be upto the driver authors to resolve the issues, just as it is the case with Vista SP1.

Thanks for the info, mannyo, then I can just as well download the current version any time. But of course, even if SP3 is closed there will be new patches issued...

As to drivers, I can understand that problems arise if I use cheap printers and other equipment of unspecified brands with makeshift drivers provided. But printers here at the office are HP and Ricoh and one expects that they are prepared for what's happening and inform their (large) customers that drivers should be updated...

There are some very recent HP drivers for the laserjet range.

I am not a big fan of Ricoh printers/copiers. The software they run is Linux based, and getting the drivers working can be a right pain. We have just got the latest high volume digital copier/printer and I still have not got it to work right yet.

Running XPSP3 here without a problem so far