Remote Desktop Connection in XP SP3

Thanks for the help it is appreciated.
I had a computer build at a local shop and was given a CD with XP Pro SP3 to
install on the machine. On the System it says that I have SP3 but on the Add
and Remove program there is no such thing. It does not give me the option of
uninstalling SP3. I followed the link for the refresh update and installed
it, so far so good! Hopefully Microsoft will release the final version of
SP3 soon.
Thanks again for all the help.

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> thumbs2up wrote:
> > I've had XP SP3 for a while now and just today I started receiving
> > a message when I try to use Remote Desktop on both my desktop and
> > my laptop. The message says...."The pre-release version of Remote
> > Desktop Connection has expired......" I tried going back to a
> > previous version, but it refused to install saying mine was newer.
> > Anyone else have this problem....and found a solution?
>
> Shenan Stanley wrote:
> > Yes.
> >
> > You have chosen to install Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 2 (most
> > likely) and in doing so on your test machine (where else would you
> > install pre-release, unfinished updates to test?) you have taken
> > the risk and now should return your test machine to it's state
> > prior to installing the beta/pre-release/in testing/not final
> > release yet software.
> >
> > Since you should have nothing to lose (installation of a pre-release
> > software should only be done on a system you are willing/able to
> > format and rebuild at a moments notice - virtual machines with a
> > revert capability are great for this) when trying to install the
> > pre-release software (Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 2) simply
> > format and install your test machine that you are trying to install
> > upon.
> >
> > Another option would be a cleanup of said test machine. Similar to
> > one you might do before installingb any major service pack full
> > release. The only real difference is that being a test machine -
> > it is not as important you backup anything...
> >
> > - Uninstall unnecessary software.
> > - Update the hardware drivers from the hardware manufacturer's
> > support web pages.
> > - Use Disk Cleanup to clear all but the last restore point and to
> > free up some space not being used by much more than junk.
> > - Check for viruses/trojans/worms...
> > - Check for adware/spyware/malware...
> > - Use CHKDSK to check your hard disk drive for errors.
> > - Use DEFRAG to cleanup the drive a bit - tidy it up.
> >
> > Then - once you have your test machine cleaned up - you could make
> > a new image of it (or however you plan to restore it each time you
> > are done with whatever tests you use it for) and you'd have a
> > better testbed machine for it.
> >
> > However - being a pre-release product - there really is not a
> > direct support option available. You have a few options, however:
> >
> > Start here:
> > http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/0a5b9b10-17e3-40d9-8d3c-0...c953a76
> >
> > Which can lead you:
> > http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=103822
> >
> > and the forums set up specifically for the pre-release product:
> > http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17
> >
> > And of course:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=114f3599-12af...b2-aab1
> >
> > Where you can download it in different languages OR download a
> > script that sets a registry key on your system so you can get
> > Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 2 from the Windows Update web page
> > directly.
> >
> > Hope that helps!
> >
> > (In short - uninstall SP3-RC2 and wait for the final release...)
>
> Pierre wrote:
> > There is no option for uninstalling Windows XP SP3 on my computer
> > and I have the same problem with remote desktop. Can you help?
>
> - Locate and utilize "Add or Remove Programs" in the "Control Panel"...
> - Make sure the "Show Updates" box is checked...
> - Uninstall (Remove) "Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32-bit x86) Release
> Candidate 2" from the list...
>
> It explains this in one of the links I have given (or in one of the links
> off one of the pages that you can get to from the links I have given...) -
> specifically:
>
> Release notes for the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
>
> Uninstall information for the Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate
>
> To uninstall Windows XP SP3, follow these steps:
>
> 1. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then click OK.
> 2. Click Change or Remove Programs.
> 3. Click Windows XP Service Pack 3 (936929), and then click Remove.
> 4. Restart the computer.
>
> The name may be slightly different - but if you legitimately installed SP3
> at this point and did not do anything like slipstream it into your
> installation media and perform a clean installation with the new media -
> it's there.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
>

While Shenan answered many questions, some not even asked, Al's
response was much more concise, helpful, and much less condescending.

Note to Shenan:
Some people use the process you proselytized so thoroughly. However,
if they are not done testing in their environment, they are not
usually forcefully removed from using the RC software, unless their
was a defined timeline. In my case, my tests were not complete, yet I
was prevented from continuing. That is an issue - because what I have
lost is time.