[WinPartners] Getting ready for Windows XP Service Pack 3 - RECOMMENDATION TO WAIT

[Alex Kozlov]

Good Afternoon,

 

Information Services and Technology (IS&T) is evaluating Windows XP Service
Pack 3 (SP3) for use in the MIT environment.  

 

Microsoft released to manufacturing (RTM) SP3 on April 21. At this time, SP3
is available only to members of the Microsoft Developer Network, TechNet
subscribers, and Volume License customers. SP3 will be available to the
general public as well on April 29 via a Windows Update and the Microsoft
Download Center. 

 

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RECOMENDATION TO WAIT

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As a precautionary step, and since evaluation work is still underway, IS&T
is issuing a RECOMMENDATION TO WAIT with respect to installing SP3. 

 

In the meantime, IS&T recommends that Departments, Labs and Centers (DLCs)
test SP3 in their own environments. The MIT WAUS server, win.mit.edu domain,
and the Software Download page will not provide SP3 until this summer.

 

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NOTABLE FEATURES

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SP3 is the last major cumulative update to the Windows XP operating system
before its retirement and includes new enhancements and improvements
backported from Windows Vista, such as:

 

-   Network Access Protection

-   Black Hole Router Detection

-   Windows Imaging Component

-   Product Activation Component (OEM and retail versions can run without a
key for 30 days, after which users will be prompted to activate)

 

For more details on Windows XP3 and a test matrix of major IS&T software
packages, please visit the SP3 Release Notebook
<http://web.mit.edu/swrt/releases/win-xp-sp3>.

 

For an overview of SP3 see:
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE
-8D85-6BB4F56F5110
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE
-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en> &displaylang=en>

 

To see XP SP3 Release Notes visit:

<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929>

 

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PLANNING TO INSTALL

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Installing SP3 requires careful planning and preparation.

 

- Make sure that you have a full backup of your system and data before
proceeding with installation of SP3.

- Allocate enough time (at least two hours) for completing the installation.

 

Please note that you cannot use your PC during this time, since several
reboots will be necessary during the installation process.

 

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GETTING HELP

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For general help, contact the IS&T Computing Help Desk:

* Phone: 617.253.1101

* Email: computing-help at mit.edu

* Web request: <http://web.mit.edu/ist/helpdesk/>   

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

Alexander Kozlov

Windows Platform Coordinator

Software Release Team

Information Services and Technology

N42- 250C

(617) 253-5103