Microsoft pulled the release due to a last minute compatibility issue with Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) one of their own products.

This issue also affects Windows Vista SP1 which Microsoft currently suggests should be avoided for the same reason. However Windows Vista SP1 is still being offered over Windows Update.

If you are not a user of Microsoft Dynamics then the previously available link for Windows XP SP3 still works. However I would wait until Microsoft update SP3 just in case any other issues are uncovered. 

To read other posts filed under Windows XP SP3 click the link below

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Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be available later today from Windows Update or the Microsoft download center.

I pre-install Dell computers for customers and these typically ship with Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed. I have to update between 50 to 100 Windows Updates on every new machine. I am not a big fan of home made slip streamed install media unless the OEM or Microsoft supplies it.

In my case its not the worst thing in the world for me spend a hour with each PC prior to customer deployment. I have to support the machine over its lifetime.

Over the years I have found the more time I spend up front the less likely I am to have problems later. So in my pre-install routine I do the initial Windows Update and install all the client software including the anti-virus.

So for updating Windows having access to single file upgrade to SP3 which contains all those missing updates is a big bonus to me and to anyone rebuilding their Windows XP machine.

On a brand new Dell Optiplex GX 755 the installation of SP3 took 6 minutes. This was on a E4500 2.2Ghz Dual Core with 1gb of Ram.

Once the installation was complete I visited Windows Update and was only offered the April version of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. I was surprised not to be offered Internet Explorer 7.0 on the list.

This seems a little inconsistent with the Windows Update user experience of Windows XP SP2.

So a manual download of IE7 was required

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

Once IE7 was installed a reboot was required. Then a quick visit to Windows Update showed no priority updates (as of today).

Summary

This all seems quick and painless at the moment. Windows XP SP3 will be getting installed literally millions of times in the coming days/weeks. If there are any significant problems discovered I am sure we will find out pretty quickly.

To read other posts filed under Windows XP SP3 click the link below

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Earlier in April I chose to install Windows Vista SP1 on a spare machine to gauge how robust Vista is based on a SP1 clean install.

Well 16 days have passed without incident, I have only been able to use this test machine about 1 hour per day but the general feeling is that SP1 is very resilient.

So I am now ready to reformat my main machine (Dell XPS M1210 Laptop) and start using SP1 day in day out.

My Laptop dual boots Windows XP Pro and Vista. I saw no reason to change this. I just backed up my Windows Vista data, deleted the Vista partition and started all over.

Driver Support

Interestingly enough the only hardware device that was not installed by default was the Logitech webcam installed in the M1210. Every other component was automatically detected and installed including sound, video, modem and the two network cards (wired and wireless).

I am going to run with these drivers for a bit, but at the first sign of trouble I will update them from the XPS M1210 software repository on www.support.dell.com.

I then installed the usual

Office 2007 + SP1

Winzip, CutePDF, Nod 32 Business Edition, Windows Live Writer and Filezilla.

The only change I have made was to substitute Foxit Reader as my PDF reader and ditch Adobe Acrobat all together.

What issues I encounter in the next month will determine my plans to roll out Windows Vista to my clients.

I would say I am fairly positive about SP1 in a clean install but time will tell.

I can’t help but feeling the Windows Vista that was released to manufacturing in November 2006 and then to public in January 2007 was one big unofficial and unintentional beta test and only now are things settling down.

I suppose its true what they say “wait for the 1st service pack”.

If you are interested in my Windows Vista SP1 coverage bookmark the link below.

Link: View all posts filed under Windows Vista SP1

Apple announce its fiscal 2008 second quarter ended March 29, 2008. As impressive as these are you have to wonder how "must have" their products are in the current "credit crunch" climate.

Apple shipped 2,289,000 Macintosh® computers during the quarter, representing 51 percent unit growth and 54 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter.

This is really positive 51% growth by unit. The number in relative terms is still tiny compared to a HP or Dell but growth is growth.

The Company sold 10,644,000 iPods during the quarter, representing one percent unit growth and eight percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter.

Now this is interesting only 1% growth in iPod unit sales. The 8% in revenue can be explained by having more expensive products in the line like the 32gb iPod Touch.

The 1% unit growth is a problem however, I guess anyone who wants an iPod must have one. 

Obviously the iPhone is taking some of the iPod business but clearly this part of the business has reached a saturation point. So now what are they going to do?

Quarterly iPhone™ sales were 1,703,000.

I imagine the iPhone sales will also trail off but stay steady once the people who want one have one. 1.7m units is pretty good for a new product in a well established market.

Apple are in great shape and innovating some fantastic products however the first thing to go when things are tight financially are luxury products.

Link: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/04/23results.html?sr=hotnews?sr=hotnews.rss

There seems to be a few sites claiming to have access to an early download of Windows XP Service Pack 3. Their links point directly to a file on  download.microsoft.com

So it all looks legit, however these point to the older RC2 Build (3311) and should be avoided.

Outside of Microsoft’s own Technet or MSDN subscription networks you cant download the final version legally yet.

The expected date the official download will be available is April 29th.

Bookmark the link below for other Window XP SP3 coverage including the official download link (which will be available after Microsoft publish it).

Link: View all posts filed under Windows XP SP3