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Offer Windows XP SP3 when it comes out - now is the time to make sure Microsoft will let you.

730 points posted to Operating Systems by jmxz 10/09/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Sounds like WinXP Service Pack 3 will be coming out soon.

Dell: Please remember who your customer is.

It's time for you to start making sure Microsoft lets you ship WinXP-SP3 pre-installed on Dells.

I believe Microsoft's current thinking is that they won't let you and want you to force Vista on your customers instead.

Why might one want XP-SP3? Well - XP-SP2 leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to security (even according to Microsoft's Vista PR); and Vista leaves a lot to be desired in general. XP-SP3 might be the most viable windows OS for businesses.











jorge
10/09/07		 Make sure your install/re-install CD/DVD includes it built in! Add that to the idea! It saves a boat load of time when installing!
winoffice
10/09/07		 Do not forget Vista Service Pack 1!
aikiwolfie
10/09/07		 Hmm and yet Vista according to all the "experts" isn't any more secure than XP SP2. Read into that what you will.
tleavit
10/09/07		 And its about dam ntime, I just slapped the factory restore disk on a Precision yesterday and there were a total of 102 Windows updates for it.
jorge
10/09/07		 tleavit: you need Ryan's XP SP2 Update pack to save on that: http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/ and like any thing like that you need to use your own judgment on it, although it works great for me! Save's a ton of time, he's a life saver!
aikiwolfie
10/09/07		 Microsoft also have instructions for slipstreaming buried in their knowledge base. Basicaly builds a new up to to date install CD.
jorge
10/09/07		 They sure do but Ryan has done it for you or for those wanting to use his slipstreamed version, in fact there's a few others who also have slipstreamed MS XP SP's and updates, google for it.
andragon
10/12/07		 Vista leaves a lot to be desired? It's reviewed as better for businesses, and i'm finding it fine. There 1 problem with selling new machines now with XP: It's outdated before you buy it. If you're a gamer/artist/CAD modeller, you won't be able to use DX10 or relevant hardware. If youre a business user, the disaster recovery features of Vista, as well as roll-out features are superb. If you're a general user, Vista has a full suite of upgrades to it's general applications too. There's loads of new stuff to use as well, like the Sidebar and Instant search, as well as complete integration of WMP11, Messenger 8.1 and IE7.

I can't see the point of continuing to sell XP systems once the Vista SP1 is out, or else past Q1 2008.
jmxz
10/12/07		 @andragon: It's reviewed as better for businesses, and i'm finding it fine.

You've got to be kidding. Companies like Dell and Intel put their Vista deployments on hold. It's pretty sick that they're trying to push them on other businesses.
aikiwolfie
10/13/07		 Is it just me or do Intels TV adverts completely ignore the existence of Windows? Probably an insignificant detail.
dell_admin1
10/24/07		 Changed status to **UNDER REVIEW**.
defenestration
10/26/07		 I also support this idea. It would put me off buying a DELL if I couldn't get it with XP Pro SP3.
limulus
10/27/07		 "It's time for you to start making sure Microsoft lets you ship WinXP-SP3 pre-installed on Dells."

Microsoft extended XP's OEM sale date to June 30, 2008; do you think SP3 will be out before that? Personally, I have my doubts. As per Microsoft:

"SP3 for Windows XP Home Edition is currently planned for 1H CY2008. This date is preliminary."

Do you think that MS would extend the cutoff date again? Maybe... but extending it once was a compromise because of the strong demand for XP. Note the Vista date for SP1:

"SP1 for Windows Vista is planned for 1Q CY2008. This date is based on beta feedback."

If MS thinks it can actually release SP1 before June 30, my guess is that SP3 will end up *not* being sold preloaded via OEMs (I agree with andragon) and released July 1 or later.
aikiwolfie
10/28/07		 If Vistas release dates are anything to go by I wouldn't hold my breath. But Microsoft does have a problem here. How does it close the security loop holes and other problems in XP without making Vista seem pointless? What exactly will SP3 do to XP?
limulus
10/29/07		 aikiwolfie: from what I've heard there will likely be some minor new functionality, but mostly it will be the patches since SP2 and things like IE7; so generally SP1-like. Any cool new toys will be in Vista to make you want to buy *that* instead ;)
aikiwolfie
10/29/07		 Which really begs the question, why bother? Seriously. IE7 is just as riddled with bugs and security holes as IE ever was. One last service pack isn't going to make a major change to that situation.
jmxz
10/29/07		 @akiwolfie: "But Microsoft does have a problem here. How does it close the security loop holes and other problems in XP without making Vista seem pointless? What exactly will SP3 do to XP?"

I think you answered your own question.

I suspect XP-SP3 will *introduce* security holes to "encourage" people to upgrade to Vista.
aikiwolfie
10/31/07		 Well personally I won't be waiting until 2008. I've got Ubuntu 7.10 set up. I'm using the 32-bit version because it's a lot better supported than the 64-bit version. So far it's going great. No problems at all.

I have my choosen theme installed and even created symbolic links so the root windows will be themed as well. I've moved my Thunderbird e-mail directory to a USB pen drive so I can share it between Ubuntu and Windows XP. I've also done the same with my Firefox bookmarks file. I've even sourced alternative applications I'm happy to use in place of my Windows applications.

Compiz-Fusion is awesome!
jorge
10/31/07		 Great link aikiwolfie, or tid bit, checking it out now.
andragon
11/01/07		 Well i've been used IE7 for ages, i even beta tested it, i think it's far FAR better than IE6. For a start it runs really fast in Vista for me, also the security features are better, also it doesn't crash like IE6 used to. I've got IE7 tweaked just the way i like it too. I will continue to use IE7 until something poses as a reason for me not to, which it hasn't yet. In the case that it does, oh noes look there's Firefox to cover me...
aikiwolfie
11/01/07		 IE7 doesn't crash like IE6? You're right it doesn't. When Microsoft forced IE7 on me in XP it crashed first time I ran it. A whole new level of incompetence. IE6 did at least run.
goldschool
May 8		 And allow existing XP customers to obtain a new Windows XP CD with SP3 included. Dell could charge existing customers, say, $10 plus shipping for it, make a huge profit margin (cost of manufacture would be less than $1) and still provide a huge benefit to customers. And, if possible, put up-to-date slipstreamed versions of the latest version of Windows, with service packs and patches, on the Dell website for download by customers (who have already paid for the license and are entitled to the service patches and patches).
olmayanaergi
May 8		 i agree with goldschool,after i restore my system 100+ updates waiting for me and 2-3 restarts
olmayanaergi
May 13		 if i slipstream sp3 with dell sp2 cd,is it the same as yours???
robie1982
May 30		 SP3 doesnt include wmplayer 11 OR ie7. It should however be slipstreamed into Dell's images as standard and will be greatly appreciated by buisiness users (me as one example) who then wont have to waste time installing updates off an internal WSUS server, or god forbid downloading 500 mb or so off the web @ 2mbps. The only reason Dell have to hold off is a bug that affects MS AX(apter?) users. But that affects VB SP1 also. And they have started offering that already (and quite rightly so as it almost makes Vista a usuable 'bussiness' OS.
It would be criminal for Dell to not roll SP3 in. That would almost be like saying 'Dell don't support SP3 for XP'. I am sure they are just bideing their time till the bugs get ironed out.
 
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