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The old StorageCraft forum had some in-depth information on the subject:
http://forums.storagecraf.../ShowPost.aspx?PostID=352
http://forums.storagecraf...ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1827

I have used Acronis TrueImage since V6 and stopped when they went to V11. The deal-breaker was the necessity of using PE Builder to make the recovery disk. Recovery is the whole point and Acronis is able to save money by not paying Microsoft licensing fees. I still use TI10 on older machines, but ShadowProtect on new computers. On a new installation, I make a baseline backup by booting from the recovery disk and then backing up.

StorageCraft uses WinPE from Microsoft which is why you have to request a trial recovery disk - Microsoft charges for each download. The program is bullet-proof and costs the same as a 320GB drive. They provided the technology to PowerQuest for DriveImage7, which became Norton Ghost. I haven't had to test the Hardware Independent Restore (HIR) but I have done simple restores.

Starting another round of testing with the new SP3 build. Un-install, update, then install new version.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 RC Refresh 2 Build 3282 Standalone Installation Package Download
http://www.mydigitallife....llation-package-download/

No problems with SP3 RC1 so far, except some of the hotfixes are not picked up. Softpedia has a good FAQ on SP3: http://news.softpedia.com...ack-3-SP3-FAQ-76735.shtml

Question #13 is very helpful in noting that it takes at least one hour after rebooting for the un-install to complete. I heard that Vista SP1 may take three days to install.

Had my first adverse, but predictable side affect of SP3 when I tried to load the Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder (KB922120) fix. It failed because it thought it was already updated. It isn't a security issue, but would allow Vista to do a network map of XP machines. It should be loaded before SP3. Waiting for Patch Tuesday with interest.

Microsoft has published the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview as a PDF.

http://www.microsoft.com/...6f5110&DisplayLang=en

WinPatrol caught four new Vista services. Bill Pytlovany has an explanation of them in his blog:

http://billpstudios.blogs...p3-includes-four-new.html

Another completely anecdotal, subjective opinion: SP3 boots faster, well below the XP 30 second design goal. I can do a reboot in about one minute (AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3200+, 1GB RAM). Perception is often more useful than statistics - 93.87% of all statistics are inaccurate and often made up.

Here is one more Tweak Tester Result showing 100% transfer efficiency - YMMV:
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I believe my DSL stats are better and more consistent with SP3.
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I am not sure what languages/localization SP3 will support. This article says German and Japanese. There may also be a difference between the update and stand-alone version.

First Release Candidate of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP
Having completed the first Release Candidate (RC) of Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista, Microsoft has now released RC1 of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Microsoft generally uses the term Release Candidate (RC) for full-featured trial versions which only need to be tested for flaws. 

The combined package is about 340MBytes in size and can currently only be downloaded from Microsoft's connect website by registered beta testers. It updates all the 32-Bit versions of XP from Home to Professional. Apart from the English language version there is also a German and a Japanese version. In addition, the website offers a script which adds a string to the Registry and allows any version of XP to receive the respective RC1 update suitable for this XP via Windows Update (download size for XP Professional: about 91 MBytes). However, an initial trial installation this way proved unsuccessful.

As usual, SP3 will contain all the patches and updates released earlier, including those which were part of previous versions. According to Microsoft there is a total of more than 1000. In addition, it provides several add-ons which have been available separately, for example Background Intelligent Transfer Service (Bits) 2.5, Windows Installer 3.1, Management-Console (MMC) 3.0 and Core XML Services 6.0. New features include the integration of Network Access Protection (NAP), a feature which is already familiar from Vista and in a Server 2008 environment, for example, only allows access to the local network if the respective PC is running Windows at the current patch level.

Unlike Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista, the SP3 package combined with an XP CD enables users to create an installation package which allows installing both XP and SP3 in one go (Slipstream installation). As in Vista, the installation key no longer appears to be an installation prerequisite in this case.

Microsoft plans to release the final version within the first two quarters of 2008. This final release is planned to be the last Service Pack for Windows XP. However, patches for what Microsoft considers to be critical security issues are planned to be available free of charge until at least 2014. (jk/c't)

http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/99214

One last note: SP3 is now a Release Candidate, not a Beta, and anyone can update to it directly from Microsoft. Vista is a Beta, and you are the unpaid tester.

Adweek Magazine has an interesting article on emotion in advertising today: http://www.adweek.com/aw/...vnu_content_id=1003676880

Mentioning the competition directly can also have blow back. The bottom line is the bottom line - increased sales. I have been using XP SP3 v.3244 and think it is the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

Works fine with Auto unchecked. Thanks for quick reply.

Cheers

Now receiving 'ERROR: Failed to find a suitable network driver' message since IE upgrade. Tried WinPcap 4.0 beta 1 with no change.

I use the SiteAdvisor beta and when you visit streamingstar.com, it warns with the Big Red X:

"When we tested this site we found links to hidownload.com, which we found to be a distributor of downloads some people consider adware, spyware or other unwanted programs."

StreamingStar wants $25 for "URL Helper 2.6 - the best and easy use url snooper"
http://www.streamingstar.com/urlhelper.htm

That's a bit cheeky...