- This is given that you installed XP from a SP2 disk

If you install Windows XP and go to MS update, you will be given the choice to go straight to SP3. If you do this, you won't be able to get a few other updates later on after the install like .NET framworks and other stuff. I learned this the hard way

Better like that, get the damn XP SP3 RTM cd and your pain gonna be end soon With SP3, I had to download 13 updates include one Framework 1.1. That's ridiculous and still the same thing for validation etc.

Weird... I'm able to retreive any of the optional updates after the method your taking about.... I've tested this on 8 pcs'

Hm. When I used XP SP2 Install, I went to SP3 with no issues?

It would never let me anyways in XP. It always told me to install SP2 first, then SP3.

Some useful tips to speed up that Windows XP here: Part1: Apps, Part2: Tweaks .