Windows XP Service Pack 3

Escafeldia · #1 (**permalink**) 09-06-2008, 06:51 PM

Is anyone else using this latest Service Pack for Windows XP? I dowloaed it from the Microsoft Site a few day ago and it seems to be working fine. I can't say that I have noticed any difference to the Service Pack 2. IE7 and Outlook Express are working fine as well. It makes me wonder whether it was worth the time it took to download.

**Adam** · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2008, 10:18 PM

It had a lot of security and bug fixes so it's always worth downloading them. I updated my XP computers and they are all chugging along nicely.

**Amy-Hols** · #3 (**permalink**) 09-06-2008, 10:57 PM

I'm a vista girl these days!

Escafeldia · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy-Hols

I'm a vista girl these days!

How do you find it compared to the XP software Amy? I have heard all sorts of horror stories about Vista, although many of the additional features in the advanced versons do look good, if a bit gimmicky. Once the RAM needed to operate software generally increases, in the way the RAM needed to operate XP compared to Vista has done, it makes me think the software design isn't all it should be. My XP Media Edition came with the hardware so - if it ain't busted don't fix it - is my motto. I don't want to appear scathing about Vista but I would appreciate your findings.

**Amy-Hols** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 02:05 PM

Ok, I have been using it since xmas when I got my new laptop, to start with I found it odd that it always asked my permission to do anything but now it does not ask me so much as I have told it to remember certain programs I use. I haven't really noticed a great deal of difference apart from that, I like the side bar which you can customise, mine has a clock and a news feed in it at the moment, but I know other people who have put all sorts in it like daily jokes, facts and picture slideshows, and some people who do not use it at all as they feel it slows down the machine. I find the latest version of office puzzling and haven't really learnt my way around it yet! I also had to get a newer version of photoshop as the one I had was not compatible with vista. I have not found this a problem for any other software yet though. On the whole, I have not had any big problems, installing some audio software was a bit of a challenge but knowing me I would have fluffed it just as bad on an XP machine!!!! But I think vista looks nice and I have not had any major problems. I have heard a lot of people complaining about it, maybe I am just lucky?

Escafeldia · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 03:57 PM

Thanks Amy, your comments are very interesting. I have heard from several sources that software which has worked well on XP doesn't always work with Vista. Just after Vista first appeared a computer magazine which I used to take called "Computer Active" did a review which was quite scathing, especially about the top version of Vista. Then a number of other readers complained that their software was playing up. Since then, of course, I expect Microsoft will have put out a number of patches and plug-ins to sort out various problems which they have been told about. I have been tempted to upgrade to Vista but my current RAM is too small - needs upgrading to at least 1GB but 2GB better.

I recently also upgraded my Norton Internet Security from 2007 to 2008 F.O.C. from Symantec. The installation went fine, if a bit long with 66Mb of files to download, and all was great until I went into a Full System Scan. Things began to go slow and I got a message telling me that Windows was going to increase my virtual memory. Looking at the Windows Task Manager under "Performance" I found that 850Mb was being recorded during the scan. I also couldn't get the software to show that my web pages were being monitored. I have to assume that Norton Internet Security 2008 works only with the increased RAM needed for Vista or the XP RAM needs to be upgraded. I have gone back to the 2007 version which only uses 450 Mb of memory when the process is running. Things are now back to normal.

Discovery · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Escafeldia

Thanks Amy, your comments are very interesting. I have heard from several sources that software which has worked well on XP doesn't always work with Vista. Just after Vista first appeared a computer magazine which I used to take called "Computer Active" did a review which was quite scathing, especially about the top version of Vista. Then a number of other readers complained that their software was playing up. Since then, of course, I expect Microsoft will have put out a number of patches and plug-ins to sort out various problems which they have been told about. I have been tempted to upgrade to Vista but my current RAM is too small - needs upgrading to at least 1GB but 2GB better.

I recently also upgraded my Norton Internet Security from 2007 to 2008 F.O.C. from Symantec. The installation went fine, if a bit long with 66Mb of files to download, and all was great until I went into a Full System Scan. Things began to go slow and I got a message telling me that Windows was going to increase my virtual memory. Looking at the Windows Task Manager under "Performance" I found that 850Mb was being recorded during the scan. I also couldn't get the software to show that my web pages were being monitored. I have to assume that Norton Internet Security 2008 works only with the increased RAM needed for Vista or the XP RAM needs to be upgraded. I have gone back to the 2007 version which only uses 450 Mb of memory when the process is running. Things are now back to normal.

I would stay with XP, Vista can be a nightmare. I like to have control over the computer, not the other way around!

I don't like Norton. It is resource hungry, slow and can mess up your computer. I would recommend ESET Smart Security Suite which contains NOD32 anti-virus. It's a much better product altogether, fast, works well and is not resource hungry. That's why both Adam and myself became resellers for it!

**Amy-Hols** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 05:21 PM

Incidentally I just downloaded a font pack for windows, does anyone know why it won't sit in the font file for vista, like it used to on XP? After saying I had no trouble I may be eating my words.....

Superwiggy · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discovery

I would stay with XP, Vista can be a nightmare. I like to have control over the computer, not the other way around!

I don't like Norton. It is resource hungry, slow and can mess up your computer. I would recommend ESET Smart Security Suite which contains NOD32 anti-virus. It's a much better product altogether, fast, works well and is not resource hungry. That's why both Adam and myself became resellers for it!

I've had to dump Norton for various reasons, one major pain with it I found was it stopped system restore from working! Since getting rid and after 'Service pack one' was installed I've found Vista great!

Superwiggy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy-Hols

Incidentally I just downloaded a font pack for windows, does anyone know why it won't sit in the font file for vista, like it used to on XP? After saying I had no trouble I may be eating my words.....

Will look into it