XP Service Pack 3

[Dan Lawrence]

That link is for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers, not for the average XP user.   Try again for the average XP user.

[Brian H]

If Automatic Update doesn't offer it to you. Then I guess Microsoft doesn't see your install as a candidate for the update. Then as you pointed out. It looks like the IT version at present is the only alternative.
I know someone with 4 XP computers and only one offered it. He did add it to the other three with no problems.
He may have used the downloadable IT version as I would not want to do about 3.5 hours of download time myself.

[Brian H]

Talked to the IT person at work. Seems that Microsoft is staggering the Automatic Updates so that their servers don't get overloaded. When SP2 was released they got flooded and the servers where bogging down as everyone wanted it at the sametime.

[Dan Lawrence]

I got it, and for me it's like the little kid who swallowed a quarter:  No Change.   45 minute download and a full reboot and everything still works like it did.