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Recently one of my video applications "PMB" (a video organizing browser i got with my sony camcorder) requires service pack 3 for the newest update).
I was wondering if any of you had or have heard of any bad things about windows xp service pack 3? I currently have service pack 2 and i don't want to mess up a good thing.
(please don't mention windows 7 in your response - i have slowly been migrating over to mac and the windows xp stuff i have is stable and works fine). if i decide to get another pc i will consider windows 7 but until then xp does what i need it to do....)
thanks kristen
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Kristen, I recently had to update to SP3 for ToonTracks EZMix and I was very hesitant to do so as everything was running very smoothly under SP2! However I was fretting over nothing. After SP3 everything still ran perfectly!
Just make sure nothing (anti-virus, anti-spyware etc) is running in the background and you should be just fine.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Hey folks, XP SP3 was introduced in Aprl 2008 - where have you been? 
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I have been happily running SP3 on several different XP machines since it first came out.
No real problems encountered, matter of fact, it seems to have been an *improvement* in several ways here.
--Mac
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Quote:
Hey folks, XP SP3 was introduced in Aprl 2008 - where have you been?
I only update my off-line music computer when I have too.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Ditto to what everyone else said. Get the SP3. Better late than never.
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I'd like to echo the positive comments of above (Mario, Jazzmandan, Mac, Bob).
As soon as SP3 was available, I installed it. NEVER any problems.
There have been a couple of tons of XP updates since then (many of which were security updates).
Glenn
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Quote:
Quote:
Hey folks, XP SP3 was introduced in Aprl 2008 - where have you been?
I only update my off-line music computer when I have too.
I bet you spend more time playing with your music then playing with your computer. Good for you. 
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As I recall, XP SP3 was simply finishing off all the anti-malware updates that you already had from periodic Windows updates. It introduced no new problems, as people already "had" it, pretty much.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I recommend using this link to download sp3. It's a little bit bigger download but it works just fine and you don't have to turn on windows update. Just download the file, set a restore point, and install. Worked perfect for me a few months back when I had to upgrade for an amp program. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=24
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Journeyman
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Quote:
As I recall, XP SP3 was simply finishing off all the anti-malware updates that you already had from periodic Windows updates. It introduced no new problems, as people already "had" it, pretty much.
I think that's basically correct but most usually the 'holes' they're plugging are sloppy memory recovery and sloppy error catching. That would mean their fixes often change how the algo assigns memory and how it handles errors. I know in my case, I was running sp3 with dozens of programs working just fine. Then a few months back I tried to install a program for my new Fender amp, and ran into lots of problems. As it turns out, I wasn't running the final version of sp3, and after installing it all the problems with my new program went away. 
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I had problems with update to xp3 in .net framework issues . Got error messages saying could not be initialized in Sonic Foundry Acid 4 , never found out why . Formatted hard drive started all over ,back to xp1 no issues . All my software is way out of date except Biab ,the only one that matters to me . So newer software may all work with xp3 ,but not all software. If I had it to do over ,I wouldn't .
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Tommy, it is more likely that the .net framework was at fault - we used to see a lot of this, regardless of SP version. There seem to have been a number of quiet .net updates that didn't always come down - I don't have time to find links for you at the moment, but search the microsoft site to see all the fixes and repair methodologies.
--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya --=--You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
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SP3 is essentially the same thing as keeping SP2 and selecting EVERY update they have available. And given that Windows has discontinued support on almost all XP systems anyway, it may be time to join the parade and go to Windows 7 the next time you have a major malfunction. I am the old school type that fights change like grim death but I now have 3 computers running Windows 7 64 bit and between the better hardware available (dual and quad core CPUs, motherboards that support more RAM, etc) and this OS this is the best platform I have ever used.
But on topic, SP3 is not an issue.
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I guess I am the odd man out, every time I have tried to update to SP3 I have had nothing but problems, so I just keep the old programs and skip it.
And I KNOW a lot of folks don't have a problem with it, but that does not matter to those of us who DO have a problem with it, even if it is a .net frame work that gets installed because of it! LOL
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Well, it CAN cause issues with things like MSIE 7 or 8. My biggest issue was that I wanted to roll back to MSIE 7 and before I could do that I had to uninstall SP3. Then I could roll back from MSIE 8 to 7 and reinstall SP3. A lot will depend on what is on your computer now.
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Thank You all for your comments.
I downloaded the SP3 but haven't installed it yet. Might in the future. I believe I got my PMB to do what I want without having to install SP3.
Looks like still a lot of XP users out there. Thats good.
Thanks K
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Super Steely KristEnya,
You can add my name to the list of those who 'upgraded' to W XP SP3, have never had a problem with it and are still using it on 3 machines.
Take care,
Marc
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Ifidain't broke donfixzit ! I think I'll stay where it already works ! I have all the ms updates on sp2 and sp3 on disks from microsoft ,they was a cheap way to update thru the mail back then . Got 7 on a laptop for enterwebin stuffins ! Don't see any big deal about it ,still gets virus's , also still have a machine w/win 98 I let my great grand kids use (not gonna tell em it's outta date ,afraid it might crush them and if it falls over it will). Haven't even thrown out my Dos for Dummies book yet it'll be an antique soon ! Heck fire I aint even updated my wife yet !
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Here you go, Tommy! Wife 1.0Couldn't find Wife 2.0, but the concept is similar.  And by the way, Kristen, I have found XP SP3 is very stable, and is now the only version of XP supported by Microsoft. I ran it exclusively for a long time on three different computers until I finally upgraded to Windows 7.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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