Is Windows Service Pack 3 (SP3) safe to download?

clio2008

Hi everyone,

Im a little confused and concerened, for the last few days my computer has been alerting me to an update with the name -

Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0 Service Pack 2 (KB954430)

But I dont have SSP2 im on SSP1! I even had problems with SSP2 when I downloaded it some weeks ago and had to use the Last Known Good Config option to sort my comp out. So anyways ive just checked the latest updates for my computer on Microsofts website and it is highly recommending Windows Service Pack 3 (SSP3) what do i do? I think i heard something about problems with SSP3 in the States so am a little aprehensive to start downloading it, but I cant get rid of the download update from my screen and I am a little worried bout the virus ive been hearing on the news.....HELP Me!

Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.

thelawns

It is simply the Service Pack 2, specifically for the Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0 update.

It's not got anything to do with Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3 and is safe to download.

clio2008

Thanks for getting back to me but then why does it have SP2 attached to it?

clio2008

sorry not sure if i my question was clear, i meant if it has nothing to do with SP2 then why is that part of its name? sory dont know too much bout computers.

aliEnRIK

service packs can be for anything microsoft related
In this case its just a SECURITY UPDATE for service pack 2 of the XML Core Services (Presumably your already on SP2 of XML Core Services)
SP2 of XP is something else entirely. And yes, you really should be on SP3 for XP

clio2008

But I deleted it though! I downloaded SP2 some weeks ago and my comp got really slow and I couldnt complete online forms etc so I used the Last Known Good Config option which took it off. And ive just checked whats on my computer on the Add/Remove program menu and there is nothing ending with SP2 in there, its only SP1...but isnt SP3 purely just all the hot fixes from SP1 plus extras from SP2?

clio2008

Plus ive heard that SP3 goes better with Vista, im on XP..heard it slows computers down as it is quite a big file..

hendersonb

Vista only has service pack 1 just now
XP is on Service pack 3 - which is advisable to fix security bugs etc

the update your referring to is 'Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0' which has its own Service packs separate from the windows ones, just as office has its own service packs. A service pack is generally a lot of hotfixes rolled up into 1 big update and possibly new features/enhancements. So you are downloading 1 update instead of maybe 100 or so.

aliEnRIK

Clio ~
Everything hendersonb has said is correct

But lets simplify things

1 ~ you NEED to be on SP3 for XP to be safe
2 ~ Vista only goes upto SP1 (Which doesnt concern you)
3 ~ The update which windows is asking for has NOTHING to do with XP service packs (Its something else entirely). Let it update (if possible)

If SP2 and/or SP3 for XP slow your computer down theres really nothing anyone can do about it. But id hazard a guess you need more RAM for your computer

thelawns

Yes, aliEnRIK could be right about the RAM. If you have 512mb or less in the computer then you should perhaps consider increasing it to 1gb (1024mb).

If you already have that, then there maybe some other issue's causing it to run slow.

clio2008

THanks alienrik & thelawns i think uve really clarified it for me finally, plus u are quite right about the RAM space on my comp...been meaning to increase the memory for some time now...will have to get to that snish. Am finally installing it now phew! I have been dreading turning on the comp since my last post, just incase i had a nasty virus waiting for me lol
Thanks for the help x