Windows XP SP3 (RC2) available for all

[peoplessi]

Brief Description
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 2 is available to the public. Specific registry settings will allow you to be offered SP3 via Windows Update.

It is recommended that you apply the resulting update package to an activated, genuine copy of Windows XP, in a test environment. As with any pre-release software, it is also recommended that you back up files and settings on your machine before applying this update package.

http://lb1.www.ms.akadns.net/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=114f3599-12af-42b2-aab1-b969a62c68a7&DisplayLang=en

[Superczar]

Erm any reports of any problems yet?

[peoplessi]

Not that I know of, but the disclaimer is still to be kept in mind :)

[NutWrench]

Any new features? Or is it all bug fixes?

[Steve]

Any new features? Or is it all bug fixes?

Q: What are these new features I keep hearing about?

A: Windows XP Service Pack 3 will not include any major new features, but it will include four minor new features that improve the system's reliability and security. Contrary to reports, Microsoft has been very up-front about these functional additions for quite some time now.

These new features include:

Network Access Protection compatibility. Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.

Product Key-less install option. As with Windows Vista, new XP with SP3 installs can proceed without entering a product key during Setup.

Kernel Mode Cryptographics Module. A new kernel module that "encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms," according to Microsoft.

"Black hole" router detection algorithm. XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets. This, too, is a feature of Windows Vista.

And that's about it. Nothing dramatic, as promised.
More here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/xp_sp3.asp

[peoplessi]

Didn't work for me, had to rollback SP2. Too bad, kept BSOD on me, looping.

[Steve]

Didn't work for me, had to rollback SP2. Too bad, kept BSOD on me, looping.

Ouch :o

[Superczar]

Didn't work for me, had to rollback SP2. Too bad, kept BSOD on me, looping.

Yikes, think I'll wait... :eek:

[TerminX]

Damn, too bad the registry settings don't make RC2 show up in Microsoft Update if you have RC1 installed. Guess I'll have to find a standalone package somewhere.

Edit: http://www.download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/software/svpk/2008/02/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu_9afedbd6b2941bf568c27046d6688e6ccb5ce018.exe

[Phayzon]

I cant be arsed at the time being, I think I'll just accept it through the Windows Update pipe when its officially released. Plus, avoiding BSoDs :)

[The Stinger]

I might try it when it's released. I heard it had some speed improvement over sp2.

[Stense]

Any word on when the official release will be?