Difference in Service pack 3 and 2 (XP)

[rock.freak667]

Two questions:
1)Is there any real significant update from service pack 2 to 3?

2) Since I have the XP boot cd that came with my Dell, if I borrow someone else's XP boot disc and reinstall XP, will I still be able to use my Cd-key that I have now or will I have to use the one that came with the boot disc?

[redwudz]

1. No. If you have been regularly updating, you probably have all but a small amount of it. This from MS:

Windows® XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F...displaylang=en

2. I doubt if another Dell XP boot disc will work unless it's exactly what you already have. And if you had a different one, you would have to use the CD key assigned to it. This may or may not be the same as your CD key. It depends on how MS and Dell set up the keys.

[wtsinnc]

I have been told by a Microsoft csr exactly the same thing about XP SP3 that redwuz told you. I have downloaded/installed all pertinent updates but none for Windows Messenger or Outlook Express as those are not active in any of my installs (they are unchecked in add/remove Windows programs), so in my situation, I was told that SP 3 would not add anything needed.

As far as the boot disc; my computer (Dell E510) came with XP Media Center installed. Over the past 2+ years, I have reinstalled MCE numerous times as well as XP Pro and XP Home Edition using os specific Dell branded reinstall CDs purchased through online vendors. Although my key is tied to Media Center Edition, it has worked every time with XP Pro and XP Home. In fact, for about the past year-and-a-half, whenever I create a new installation using any of the three versions of XP, I am no longer prompted to enter my key. This represents my only personal experience with XP boot/reinstall discs and it is limited to Dell CDs. Whether or not you can get the same result with a different brand or reinstalling XP MCE or XP Pro in a computer that came with an XP Home Edition key is unknown to me, but something I am tempted to try.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Have a read of this helpful document, particularly page 4:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/7/687484ed-8174-496d-8db9-f02b40c12982/Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3.pdf

Note that contrary to popular belief, SP3 does NOT force IE7 upon you.

[rock.freak667]

As far as the boot disc; my computer (Dell E510) came with XP Media Center installed. Over the past 2+ years, I have reinstalled MCE numerous times as well as XP Pro and XP Home Edition using os specific Dell branded reinstall CDs purchased through online vendors. Although my key is tied to Media Center Edition, it has worked every time with XP Pro and XP Home. In fact, for about the past year-and-a-half, whenever I create a new installation using any of the three versions of XP, I am no longer prompted to enter my key. This represents my only personal experience with XP boot/reinstall discs and it is limited to Dell CDs. Whether or not you can get the same result with a different brand or reinstalling XP MCE or XP Pro in a computer that came with an XP Home Edition key is unknown to me, but something I am tempted to try.

This hopefully will be the same for me if I have to reinstall XP,but I really don't have the money to spend to buy a new copy of XP when there could be the possibility where I can borrow another person's copy and install it using my current cd-key.

I am also told that the XP cd that comes with the dell doesn't have recovery console and such. So if you are in need of fixing XP, the Dell OEM disc gives you very very limited options...

[TBoneit]

Somethings to understand.

Genuine Dell XP Discs on a Dell system, No Key needs to be entered and it is already activated.

You can take your genuine Dell Disc and following instructions found on the Internet you can Slipstream SP3 into your No-Sp, Sp1, sp1a or SP2 disc and burn it and be good to go. This presumes MS didn't remove that ability for SP3.

BTW you can also slipstream Windows 2000 SPs into you release OS disc the same way.

Been there, Done that.

From a Quick Google search http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Slipstream+XP+SP or for SP3 http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Slipstream+XP+SP3&btnG=Search

[rock.freak667]

Somethings to understand.

Genuine Dell XP Discs on a Dell system, No Key needs to be entered and it is already activated.

You can take your genuine Dell Disc and following instructions found on the Internet you can Slipstream SP3 into your No-Sp, Sp1, sp1a or SP2 disc and burn it and be good to go. This presumes MS didn't remove that ability for SP3.

BTW you can also slipstream Windows 2000 SPs into you release OS disc the same way.

Been there, Done that.

From a Quick Google search http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Slipstream+XP+SP or for SP3 http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Slipstream+XP+SP3&btnG=Search

So that is basically using my Dell XP disc with SP1 to create an updated Dell XP disc with SP2 on it,right?

[TBoneit]

Yes, that is the reason for slipstreaming.

[TBoneit]

BTW I use the recovery console from Dell XP Home and XP Pro discs all the time. What I like is on Dell computers or at least P4 and better the install is preactivated and I don't need to enter a product key. We do it all the time and on a fresh install it saves having to call in as the Dell product key never seems to activate over the internet. It also is handy to have the XP ready to go if you do a repair install.