[Ham-Computers] XP SP3

[jandlmiller at bellsouth.net]

To each his or her own...

In my case, I considered Aaron's advice, Dell's advice, my prior experience with XP SP2, much of what I read, and just shut down my XP Automatic Upgrades to a FULL OFF.  Two icons instantly popped onto my systray and that's normal; one or both may hide given time and normal circumstances.  One icon is from Microsoft reminding that AU is off.  The other is from McAfee reminding me that XP AU is off.  None of this inhibits the frequent McAfee updates.

Dell recommends leaving AU in a FULL OFF for four months.  It was six months for XP SP2.  The four months will give Dell an opportunity to do a final tweak on all drivers on all their XP machines and work out the bends so all work with XP SP3 RTM.

Along about the first week in August I will plug in and see what drivers, if any, need attention and then turn AU back a a FULL ON.

Meanwhile, I will do my weekly backups as usual, and periodically will check to ensure that nothing has turned AU back on.

John W0IKT