SP3 will not install but no error message

[LewB]

I', trying to install SP3 for my XP professional program, I used the express
method and the files were downloaded to the computer and installation started
Wizard. The program gets "stuck" very early on at the part "updating your
system, creating cabinets, etc. details says Running Process Before
Install". 5 progress bars come up and that is it!! But there is no error
message, etc. Just stuck. Thanks everyone

 

[LD55ZRA]

There is no such thing as Express Method because you have to go
through the pain barrier M$ wants everybody to go through because
SP3 is a very big file and depending on what updates you have
already installed the file size is: 316.4 MB. This is almost the
same size as real Operating system!

I suggest download the full file version from this link:

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en>

hth

I', trying to install SP3 for my XP professional program, I used the express
method and the files were downloaded to the computer and installation started
Wizard. The program gets "stuck" very early on at the part "updating your
system, creating cabinets, etc. details says Running Process Before
Install". 5 progress bars come up and that is it!! But there is no error
message, etc. Just stuck. Thanks everyone

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IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
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INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
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DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[glee]

I', trying to install SP3 for my XP professional program, I used the
express
method and the files were downloaded to the computer and installation
started
Wizard. The program gets "stuck" very early on at the part "updating
your
system, creating cabinets, etc. details says Running Process Before
Install". 5 progress bars come up and that is it!! But there is no
error
message, etc. Just stuck. Thanks everyone

How long are you waiting? The installation takes quite a while, and it
will appear to be "stuck" at one screen for some time while installing.

Did you close all open programs and disable the resident anti-virus,
screensaver and power management?

This installation guide may help:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=33296

In cases where the installation won't complete via Windows Update, I and
others have had success with this method:

Download the offline installation package...do NOT run it from the
online location, SAVE it to the root of C:\, not in any folder:
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT
Professionals and Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

It is a large download...over 300 MB.

Once you have saved it to C:\, open Control Panel> Display> Screen Saver
tab> Power button, select Always On power scheme and make sure it is set
to NOT go into Standby or Hibernate, nor to turn off hard drives.
Click OK to return to the Screen Saver tab.
Select None from the screen saver list to turn off screen savers, then
click OK.

Now restart in Safe Mode:
How to Start Windows in Safe Mode
http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

From Safe Mode, double-click the saved SP3 installation file in the root
of C:\, and follow the prompts to install...there will be more prompts a
few minutes into the installation prep.

When it finishes installation, it will let you know....you can then
restart in normal mode. It may take well over an hour or even two to
complete.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Why wasn't SP3 installed two years ago?

Are you currently running WinXP SP2?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these applications running
in the background when you attempted to install SP3?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for WinXP SP3 was
available from 14 April 2008 thru May 2009. Such support will cost you
US$59 or higher per incident now.

Note: Extended Support for WinXP (x86) SP2 ends on 13 July 2010. After that
date, computers running WinXP (x86) SP2 will NOT be offered any further
critical security updates, Automatic Updates will not work, and Windows
Update website will not be accessible until SP3 is installed.

What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean

 

[LewB]

Thanks for your help. It finally installed after deactivating several
programs that seemed to be lagging.

 

[LewB]

Your questions are appropriate and I accept guilt for the inertia and delay.
But it's never too late and after reading your response and others it finally
installed. For others reading this correspondence deactivate your antiviral
program...in this instance McAfee.

 

[Michael]

LewB do yourself a favor and dump CrapAfee altogether. It's the worst of
the worst.

--


"Don't pick a fight with an old man.
If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."

 

[LewB]

Hi Michael,
Can you expand on McAfee comment. I had Avast for awhile but a lot of
items (viruses, malware) were found on the scans I would manually run and I
went through a number of programs and never resolved the problem....even
though the computer functioned normally. I was in communication with Avast
in Germany for weeks via email being advised to run Mawarebytes, HiJack It,
and other similar malware programs. Finally a computer wise person said
McAfee was available through my cable system (Cox) at no cost so I went for
it. I have always considered it to be in the same league as Norton, etc. Is
there some particular problem you have had with McAfee (I know it's a big
program) etc. Thus far I have not had any problems and all of their
automatic scans and those I run manually have been negative. I had to take
this computer in for some diagnostics recently and the computer geeks
insisted that I had viruses etc. When I brought the machine home and ran a
McAfee scan no problems were found. I have also been told that the virus
programs/scans can produce false positives. All very confusing and would
appreciate your input....and from others reading this thread. Thanks
Lew

 

[glee]

Listen to what you are stating, at least the way I am reading it:

"I had Avast for awhile but a lot of items (viruses, malware) were
found on the scans"

"Thus far I have not had any problems <with McAfee> and all of their
automatic scans and those I run manually have been negative."

"I had to take this computer in for some diagnostics recently and the
computer geeks insisted that I had viruses etc. When I brought the
machine home and ran a McAfee scan no problems were found."

So another AV program found malware, their techs told you to run other
malware scans, your local computer techs told you there was
malware...but since McAfee can't find any, it must be good? You've got
to be kidding!

The free AV apps supplied via an ISP are generally inferior to their
regular version. I'd much rather have Avast or Avira or MSE (all free
programs) than a free ISP-supplied version of Norton or McAfee.

What you need to do is have your system scanned from outside the
operating system, via an AV boot CD or by slaving the hard drive to
another system for scanning. As long as Windows is running on your
computer, root kits will hide successfully and you will never know if it
is really clean.

 

[Michael]

CrapAfee is a resource hog that is bottom of the barrel as far as AV is
concerned. It's the equivalent of having a screen door on a submarine.
Norton is better at catching stuff, but if you don't have a ton of RAM, it
also slows your system to a crawl. Download CrapAfee's removal tool, then
download Microsoft Security Essentials (my preference). Run CrapAfee's
removal, reboot, then install MSE. Your computer will run smoother and
you'll be better protected.

I'm not a M$ whore. I just like MSE and I've had extensive experience with
CrapAfee and Norton.

 

[LewB]

Your thoughts are at some variance from Glee's who says the program should be
scanned from outside the OS. Any other thoughts from anyone.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Finally a computer wise person said
McAfee was available through my cable system (Cox) at no cost so I went for
it.

Ugh! There are several better anti-virus programs available for free:
Avira, Avast, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

I have always considered it to be in the same league as Norton, etc. I

LOL! Yes, it's in *exactly* the same league as Norton. As far as I
(and many others here) am concerned those are the two worst anti-virus
programs available.

It's a big shame, as far as I'm concerned. Twenty years or so ago,
McAfee was the best such program available, Then Norton took over as
the best. But today, Norton is the worst, and McAfee is second worst.
What happened to them and why they went from the top to the bottom, I
don't know.

 

[Michael]

I agree with glee. Just make sure you use a real AV to scan the drive as a
slave.

 

[sgopus]

Actually they are not, Glee did not make any statements ie Mcafee, and also
recommended to scan outside of the operating system, this is not to say use
Mcafee to do the scan, use something else thats better. AVG I think, has the
ability to make a bootable disk, burn the engine to the cd and boot to it,
scan your hd that way.

 

[LewB]

Ok I then would appreciate your best suggestion, free or otherwise. The
computer store that did some diagnostics for me said they like Spyseeper
antivirus from Webroot. I had their basic program spyware program for a
number of years before their antivirus program became available. There
should be some consensus of opinion from those of you that follow these
matters closely as to the best two or three or four one should consider.
Thanks.
Lew

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ok I then would appreciate your best suggestion, free or otherwise. The
computer store that did some diagnostics for me said they like Spyseeper
antivirus from Webroot. I had their basic program spyware program for a
number of years before their antivirus program became available. There
should be some consensus of opinion from those of you that follow these
matters closely as to the best two or three or four one should consider.
Thanks.

Here are my recommendations:

Get one of the following anti-virus programs

The best--NOD32

Free and almost as good--Avira, Avast, or Microsoft Security
Essentials (as I said in my last message).

Also get at least the following two anti-spyware programs (both
freeware)--MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and SuperAntiSpyware. Having more
than two is even better, but don't run them at the same time.

 

[glee]

The bootable CD anti-virus I use is the Avira Rescue Disc...there are
others:
http://www.free-av.com/en/products/12/avira_antivir_rescue_system.html

These instructions should be read carefully before beginning:
Tutorial for Avira Rescue CD -
http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=82163

Note there is also an Update button in the program, and if you are
connected online with a permanent broadband connection, it will be able
to update if you select it.

The configuration settings shown in the tutorial have Avira attempt to
repair infected files, and rename if not successful. This is generally
the best option, but I often run it with the 'protocol malware records
only' setting instead, so I can read the resulting log *without* having
fixed anything. That way, if a root kit has infected a critical system
file, I can determine where and how to find a clean replacement file,
and how to go about copying the good file after I do a cleaning by
re-running the Avira Rescue CD with the settings at 'repair or rename'.
Generally I will replace a file using the command line in Recovery
Console.

The Linux-based Avira CD sometimes has a problem running on some
laptops, due to driver issues.

If I slave the drive to another computer, I will run the AV from that
computer on the drive (Avira or Avast or MSE, depending on which system
I connect it to). I will also consider running the Protection Scan
online from OneCare, selecting the slave hard drive:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

If doing all that is beyond what you feel comfortable doing, you should
find a competent computer repair technician who will follow these
procedures on your system.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

This was Geek Squad at Best Buy, right?

 

[glee]

Gotta be....I can't think of any other crew using that. I was never
impressed with Spysweeper. Their Spysweeper with Antivirus uses the
Sophos AV engine....that's all I know about it. I've never seen their
package reviewed in side by side AV testing.

There are better options.....MSE or Avira, both free AV apps, combined
with MBAM. I would suggest paying the small price for MBAM to gain
resident protection and autoupdating.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Even worse, Geek Squad /never/ runs the Norton or McAfee removal tool after
uninstalling the preinstalled free trial and before installing Webroot AV
with SS.