XP Service Pack 3? Is it really needed?

I'm scared as hell right now, there is NO WAY I am installing that SP3 crap that loves to almost destroy my computer and everything on the hdd in the process.

Now, I played Beta back a few months ago when it started, and I had no trouble. But I've heard some stuff about needing SP3 and how some people couldn't play without it.

I have no idea how to post on the bnet forums so I don't really know where to ask.

 

In the sys requirements it's specified XP sp3, Vista and Win7. So.. I think you will probably need to update..

I don't really see what's the problem, I don't have any problems with sp3 and I'm using it from when the update was released.. It's the most stable (along with Win7) OS. Usually when someone is 'having' problems with the OS it's probably some virus/malware, so the main reason it's the Antivirus. Or just upgrade to Win7 if you can/want.

 

1 year and a half ago, it wasn't stable. Thats when I tried. And now I'm scared of losing everything I have and having to reformat, which would be a pain without a legal XP disc. My XP in the computer is legal as far as I know, I bought it like that with it on it.

But if the Beta didn't need SP3 (it didn't since it worked for me), why would it need it now? Sounds kind of strange to me.

 

Cause Microsoft hasn't released any updates in 18 months.

*Cough*

I'm kinda wondering why people are even still on XP. Yes, Vista sucked hardcore. Win7 doesn't.

 

vista actually didn't suck hardcore, but it was annoying as hell. which kinda sucks, but as far as stability and networking goes, it's way better than XP.

 

+1. I don't get why UAC had to ask you everything at least twice. The primary problem with Vista upon release was lack of drivers which was mostly solved later down the line. That and being installed on hardware that can barely run it. I remember seeing the same issues when XP was first released. It's just that it's been such a long time ago since XP was released and people have forgotten about the teething pains. Vista, while pretty annoying, wasn't as bad as WinME.