Windows XP Service Pack 3 Update Delayed

I guess having SP3 available to a limited but large audience helped Microsoft flush out a few more bugs before its official release.

While Service Pack 3 was due to be deployed today, Microsoft decided to wait until they could block some systems they don’t want updated. They’re not making any changes to SP3, they’re just going to block those system which they’ve determined are incompatible.

Specifically, if you’re running “Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS)” you shouldn’t upgrade to Service Pack 3. Microsoft also acknowledged problems with Vista Service Pack 1 and Dynamics Retail Management Systems.

If you’re one of those people who have already found and installed XP SP3 or Vista SP1, you don’t need to worry unless your system is using the Dynamics Retail Management System. If you plan on upgrading using Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center no date has been given for public release.

Again, no fixes or changes are being made to Service Pack 3. The changes will be made to the Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center so that incompatible systems can be blocked.

Windows XP SP3 Includes Four New Services

Microsoft is in the process of testing service packs for both Vista(SP1) and Windows XP(SP3). There has been a lot of talk about how Windows XP may be the biggest competitor for Vista. I’ll never forget Bill Gates showing the Blue Screen of Death on Windows 98 as the reason to upgrade to Windows XP. Many of us are satisfied with what Windows XP offers and I’m pleased with the continued support from Microsoft.

While reports of Vista’s service pack have been mixed, many folks testing Windows XP SP3 report a more robust operating system. While I don’t typically upgrade immediately, as a developer I need to keep up with new versions of Windows. I wasn’t included on Microsofts’ beta list but I was able to check out SP3 on a friends laptop.

You won’t find a lot of visible changes to SP3. In fact, I was very surprised that it didn’t force an to upgrade to IE7.

Using WinPatrol’s date “First Detected” feature, I did find a few new services that weren’t there before. This list could vary depending on your configuration.

• EAPSVC.DLL – Provides windows clients Extensible Authentication Protocol Service Click for more info


• KMSVC.DLL – Manages health certificates and keys (used by NAP) This relates to managing keys for volume licenses and their health, not medical information.


• QAGENTRT.DLL – Allows windows clients to participate in Network Access Protection. This includes some of the new security features of Vista minus UAC.


• DOT3SVC.DLL – This service performs IEEE 802.1X authentication on Ethernet interfaces. Improves detection and connection to wireless networks

Luckily, I was able to run some benchmarks on the system before SP3 was installed. I’ll write more if I find a difference in performance or other issues as I continue to perform tests.

Office 2003 SP3 Things You Should Know

I’m a big fan of the Service Pack updates that Microsoft provides for free. I’m also a big fan of being informed before you install any new software on your computer.

Like any update, I recommend against rushing out to be the first. It never hurts to let others be test subjects for a few weeks before making major changes to the machine that your productivity or life style may depend on.

Microsoft has released Service Pack 3 for Office 2003 which contains number of needed fixes and security enhancements. I’m pretty sure I’ll install the Service Pack on my machines running Office 2003 but it won’t be today. Even as it’s being released Microsoft has acknowledged a few possible quirks that you should certainly be aware of.

The known issues below should be reviewed before anyone installs SP3.
(Click number link for more info)

• You are unexpectedly prompted to restart the computer after you install an Office service pack or an Office update (905726)


• The functionality of an add-in, an ActiveX control, or a COM add-in is reduced, or the functionality is blocked after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (938814)


• Error message when you try to create a new MAPI form in Outlook 2003: "contact the administrator" (938816)


• Attachments that contain the .gadget extension cannot be opened in Outlook 2003 after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (938811)


• The Fast Saves feature in Word 2003 no longer functions after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (938808)


• You may experience issues when you run the Microsoft Office Document Imaging program after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (938813)


• You receive an error message when you try to open a file or to save a file after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (941636)


• You cannot open Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook files that contain Visual Basic for Applications macros in Excel 2003 after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (938806)


• Office files that are saved in certain formats no longer contain the version number of Office after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3(938807)

Some of these issues may not apply to everyone, but you should be familiar with them before installation. In time, I suspect this list will grow.

For detailed information about these issues as well as the benefits of Office 2003 Service Pack 3 go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923618.