We posted earlier this week about an unofficial set of patches being labeled as a Windows XP SP3 "Preview Pack". The pack was created by members of TheHotfix.net and included many patches not generally available to the public. Today we get word from Bink.nu that Microsoft has issued a statement in their newsgroups regarding this unofficial package:
"It is just a collection of hotfixes and other updates we have released. It will not update your Windows XP system to SP3. It also contains a number of private hotfixes that are usually only issued to users with a specific identifiable problem. The hotfixes 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 hotfixes. 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."
Update: Ethan Allen, administrator of TheHotfix has responded to Microsoft's comment:
"Our pack is indeed a preview to what the official service pack will be, as these hotfixes will be in Service Pack 3 as proven by Microsoft's own knowledge base. Searching the keywords "kbwinxppresp3fix" and "kbwinxpsp3fix" at http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 will provide you an exact list of what we give out, nothing more, nothing less. Each of these hotfixes can be obtained for free from Microsoft by calling their support lines."
Read More for the complete reply
View: Newsgroup Warning @ Bink.nu
View: Neowin Discussion | TheHotfix
"It is just a collection of hotfixes and other updates we have released. It will not update your Windows XP system to SP3. It also contains a number of private hotfixes that are usually only issued to users with a specific identifiable problem. The hotfixes 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 hotfixes. 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."
Update: Ethan Allen, administrator of TheHotfix has responded to Microsoft's comment:
"Our pack is indeed a preview to what the official service pack will be, as these hotfixes will be in Service Pack 3 as proven by Microsoft's own knowledge base. Searching the keywords "kbwinxppresp3fix" and "kbwinxpsp3fix" at http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 will provide you an exact list of what we give out, nothing more, nothing less. Each of these hotfixes can be obtained for free from Microsoft by calling their support lines."
Read More for the complete reply
View: Newsgroup Warning @ Bink.nu View: Neowin Discussion | TheHotfixTheHotfix writes:
"The Hotfix does agree with Microsoft that the "Windows XP Service Pack 3" is indeed
just a collection of hotfixes and not any official SP3. We have recently updated our
language on a number of pages warning users that the fixes we provide are an
unofficial pack and that only expert Windows users should install them at their own
will.
The being said, we disagree with Microsoft in terms of what SP3 is. Our pack is
indeed a preview to what the official service pack will be, as these hotfixes will
be in Service Pack 3 as proven by Microsoft's own knowledge base. Searching the
keywords "kbwinxppresp3fix" and "kbwinxpsp3fix" at
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 will provide you an exact list of what we
give out, nothing more, nothing less. Each of these hotfixes can be obtained for
free from Microsoft by calling their support lines.
Will these hotfixes make your machine less stable? Yes, there is that possibility.
Is that at the fault of The Hotfix? No. Regardless of which site these may have come
from, they were created by Microsoft.
If you are a normal user, avoid the package. But if you're a Windows enthusiast,
like the type of people who are website caters to, then give it a shot at your own
will. Who knows, maybe it will actually fix a bug in Windows XP that should have
never been there in the first place."
I didn't install it, I'm just a drama whore
I do like the fact that all the patches are listed at one location.
Users should pick and choose what they need instead of installing everything.
Same goes for latest non-WHQL video drivers.
Install updated drivers only if you have problem or you risk making your system unstable.
lol
i thought it included performance tweaks or **** like that but when i saw what i was gettin, i laughed and deleted everything..
MICROSOFT IS RIGHT!!! DO NOT INSTALL THAT CRAP UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!
http://www.thehotfix.net/comments.php?catid=1&shownews=710
Last edited by 6139 on 09 Oct 2005 - 06:19
WTF? Sounds like he's trying to save face and spin it the best he can...
These nut-cases took a bunch of patches that were NOT intended for the general public and slammed them into what they advertized as "SP3" - and got rightly smacked by Microsoft.
One word sums it up: INCREDULOUS!
--S
Last edited by 33280 on 09 Oct 2005 - 06:51
I actually signed up there just to check it out, and the mother****er is sending freeipod links!
My point, exactly.
it cannot have WGA or need to made a "free" call to MS.
Firefox became unbareable. Images not loading at random, sluggish etc.
boot times of over 2 mins, after several boots etc etc.
Steer clear, unless you are looking for one or two specific patches that you know you need.
Vivá nLite.
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