Be warned, stay away from "unofficial" XP Service Pack 3

[Auggie2k]

This is not the first time that Windows fanatics create their own "Service Pack" by collecting all available hot fixes in to one installable pack. News has been addressed about these packs over the years but be aware that they are obviously not supported by Microsoft and should not be used in "production environments". The latest Windows XP SP3 pack caught some attention in the online press and now Microsoft have posted a statement in their newsgroups:

NOTE: This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

From: "Mike Brannigan [MSFT]" <mikeb...@online.microsoft.com>
Subject: Re: Windows XP SP3 Preview download

You would be well advised to stay clear of this FAKE SP3 package.
It is NOT suitable for testing as it is NOT SP3.

If is just a collection of hot fixes and other updates we have released. It will not update your Windows XP system to SP3
It also contains a number of private " hot fixes that are usually only issued to users with a specific identifiable problem. The hot fixes are not as rigorously tested at public released ones this is why we ask you to call PSS to get them so we can track you and provide further assistance such as new versions of the fixes etc as they become available. Just installing all the "privates" on your PC may make you machine LESS stable and will also put you out of support from Microsoft or an OEM as you are installing incorrectly issued private hot fixes.

Frankly this "package" should be avoid and you should continue to use
Windows Update and the download site to get the most up-to-date and correctly issued Microsoft fixes and patches.

Anyone who installs this thinking they are getting SP3 (even as a preview)
is being grossly mislead and is posing a significant potentially non
recoverable risk to their PC and data.


Regards,

Mike

Mike Brannon [Microsoft]

[Potato]

Good to know.

[notbob]

i still haven't even done sp1

i applied a few worm patches, that's it

i don't trust the "official" service packs, much less untested cobble jobs

[Pathtek24]

Thats right good old microsoft, wash their hands of anything as quckly as possible..lol...They really crack me up sometimes because i understand why they did this but at the same time it is THEIR hotfixes?!? Oh well, well just see what happens...It wouldn't suprise me if they use SP4 now for their next release instead of SP3 because of this.

[ferrarimodena360]

very very very happy sp2 user
will wait for official sp3 to come

no virus no worm attacks ina long long time
2 thumbs up to sp2

[mfgbypooter]

When I do a fresh install I am going back to SP1.

Windows SP2 "security" sucks.

*

[.:sp00ky:.]

good of old microsoft to warn you that their hotfixs/patches are dangerous lol

[Malakai1911]

If they are talking about RyanVM's pack, disregard this message because it works perfectly fine for hundreds of nLite users, and they turn the OS into swiss cheese and it still works.

http://ryanvm.msfn.org/

[Excrement_Cranium]

When I do a fresh install I am going back to SP1.

Windows SP2 "security" sucks.

*

I can't even do that. OEM copy of XP with integrated SP2.

[.:sp00ky:.]

I can't even do that. OEM copy of XP with integrated SP2.

you could always do a naughty and p2p windows :P

[moneoa]

Why does anyone fall for this shit

[RACKnRAIL]

Why does anyone fall for this shit

lack of experience or IQ

[cpugeniusmv]

I think anyone who uses the internet should be required to pass a test prior to use.

But that's not going to happen.

[Auggie2k]

I think anyone who uses the internet should be required to pass a test prior to use.

But that's not going to happen.

A noob filter - genuis idea!

Good to see you back about here cpu, what you been getting up to?

[cpugeniusmv]

A noob filter - genuis idea!

Good to see you back about here cpu, what you been getting up to?

Just staying busy with classes and homework at college :-)

Not enough time to post regularly anymore.