Microsoft Windows XP SP3 beta impressions
Microsoft has still some new tricks up its sleeve for its previous operating system Windows XP with the imminent release of SP3 aka Windows XP Service Pack 3. PC Magazine has a look into the recent beta:
PCMag notes that the version of Microsoft Windows XP SP3 reviewed here is a first beta and not available to the general public.
With Service Pack 2 installed, Window XP has proven to be a notably durable and reasonably secure version of the operating system. The August 2004 release of SP2 dramatically upgraded the security of the original XP, adding the Windows Firewall and Windows Defender, along with easily configurable options to block or allow specific kinds of traffic into your system. Since SP2 came out, Microsoft has continued to supply fixes and enhancements via Windows (and Microsoft) Updates. For the most part, Windows XP Service Pack 3 simply rolls all the fixes and upgrades into a single convenient package, though there are a few brand-new additions with SP3. Whether the new additions catch your eye or not, security upgrades make applying the service pack a good idea—but make sure you know about possible compatibility issues (detailed later in this review)
Read the Microsoft Windows XP SP3 beta full preview.
Unquestionably, the SP3 RC, is the worst bit of software I’ve ever put on my Dell laptop. It did deliver a ca. 10%, and to my surprise…the rollup compacted much of the space all the previous upgrades and fixes for SP2 were occupying. It did NOT cause the loss of USB connectivity as I had been warned might happen. It simply and progressively jammed all parts of my system to the point where I had a Windows XP logo screen only crash. I have been able to nurse it out of that condition, but have yet to recover the internet even after a fresh install of IE7. I have an older Latitude. I’ve been looking for a Microsoft pathway to report my difficulties with the RC for the company’s benefit as well as us customers. It’s hard to imagine that with an unsupported trail release they wouldn’t want feedback on which product lines and configurations are adversely effected…but if they do want input, they certainly don’t make it easy to report. Short of paying the manditory $60 consultation fee purely for the pleasure of imforming them MS has destroyed all my data.
There’s got to be better customer communication, not that I’m singling out MS, neglect of non-business customer support seems the industry standard these days…I haven’t been able to get any response from Dell either.