Windows XP Service Pack 3

[Tangerine Trees Music]

Does anyone have any experience of using Windows XP SP 3 with Pro Tools LE or other similar software?

Is it slower/faster/no different?

Is it worth installing on a music-only PC?

Thanks

[Ian B]

Hi,

I tried SP3 and it was a total nightmare, slow downs, unexplained crashes with previously rock solid software (various sequencers, etc) so I personally can't recommend it. That said, I've seen plenty of posts from people who have had no such issues, so maybe my problems were specific to my setup.

[krykos]

The problem with new service packs is that they will contain many flaws upon release, which will be patched up with software updates over the course of weeks. Also, this is Microsoft, so you can guarantee that not a great deal of testing will have been done (look at Vista upon release for example). It's best to hold it out for a couple of months until most of the flaws have been rectified.

[Ian B]

Originally Posted by krykos

The problem with new service packs is that they will contain many flaws upon release, which will be patched up with software updates over the course of weeks. Also, this is Microsoft, so you can guarantee that not a great deal of testing will have been done (look at Vista upon release for example). It's best to hold it out for a couple of months until most of the flaws have been rectified.

Very true.

I forgot to add in my first post, if it's just a music only pc, ie no net access, then it's probably not worth installing as most, if not all the updates, are usually internet security based. There will be little or no performance advantage in installing SP3.

[JAYDMF]

Bulk standard XP sp 2 is the most rock solid you'll find there's no point in anything else other than vista ultimate but thats £110 so

[Tangerine Trees Music]

Originally Posted by Ian B

Very true.

I forgot to add in my first post, if it's just a music only pc, ie no net access, then it's probably not worth installing as most, if not all the updates, are usually internet security based. There will be little or no performance advantage in installing SP3.

Yes it is a music only pc.

Thanks for your help

[waxxy]

i wouldnt be surprised if microsoft has hidden some kind of malicious code in service pack 3 that will crash systems and cause problems and when people contact stores asking for help they will tell them crap like "oh you need vista thats why your having problems..if your using xp its full off bugs you need vista pro instead "

my mate works for fujitsu and he told me dont bother with service pack 3 ..he went too a microsoft conference months ago and from what he over heard and what he saw service pack 3 is nothing too shout about ,doesnt fix any big things its just a big byebye update from microsoft because as off now xp will no longer be updated or any support for it will be given.the reason is there will be some very big service packs and announcements soon all about fixing vistas incompatibility issues.microsoft are gonna push vista down our throats big time this year and nexttheyve told fujitsu and all major companys too direct people too buy only vista software and dont sell or install xp on any hardware even if the customers demand it theyve got too insist that vista is the way forward.

i had vista on my computer and took it off the next day i had nothing but problems using since i went back too xp service pack 2 everythings fine so im not installing service pack 3 ill download it for future help if i need it but as off now im not using it.

[Ian B]

Originally Posted by waxxy

i wouldnt be surprised if microsoft has hidden some kind of malicious code in service pack 3 that will crash systems and cause problems and when people contact stores asking for help they will tell them crap like "oh you need vista thats why your having problems..if your using xp its full off bugs you need vista pro instead "

That might have been the plan, but things have worked out very differently. XP should have been off the shop shelves by the end of this month, but Vista has been so poorly recieved due to all the bugs, I believe they've extended XP's shelf life. They've definitely extended official XP support for at least a couple of years.

Again, some pc dealers are now offering a downgrade to XP from Vista on newly bought machines. There are even enough rumours around to suggest Microsoft are even rushing thro' another OS to replace Vista.

[krykos]

Originally Posted by Ian B

Again, some pc dealers are now offering a downgrade to XP from Vista on newly bought machines. There are even enough rumours around to suggest Microsoft are even rushing thro' another OS to replace Vista.

Yeh, Windows 7 (as it's known for now) is expected to be released in Winter 2009/Spring 2010. More details are kinda sketchy at the moment, but some were leaked and can be seen here:

Leaked Details of Windows 7 M1 March 2008 Edition Version 6.1 Build 6574.1 - Windows 7 lives - screenshots and video - Softpedia

[Tonymiro]

Yes Windows 7 is on the horizon and MS have supposedly promised that unlike Vista that it will be compatable with current cards etc . So no more unrecognised sound card dlls etc.

If you believe that then you may also want to join my daughter in her late night vigil as she awaits the immanent arrival of Perez the tooth mouse. She's desperate to see him and wants to ask why she only got 1 Euro for her last tooth whilst her best friend got 20 euros. It's Perez's fault I'm not a miser - honest .

Back on topic - I put SP3 on our internet computer and AVG promptly failed and had to be re-installed. It's noticably slower to start up on this pc but otherwise seems stable. There is very little hardware or software though on this internet pc...

[conor_j]

I may be goin against the grain here, but im running vista on my Vaio for music applications and peripherals and I have to be honest its been pretty good to me



....maybe im one of the lucky ones lol