Problems with Windows XP update, SP3, & Antivirus software?

[doowopper10]

I am using Windows XP with Service Pack 3 in a Dell computer.

Tonight F-Prot antivirus software removed several files and quarantined
several other files that were infected with a virus. In the F-Prot
quarantined file list, it the following file was quarantined twice today:
"asyncmac.sys."
1) What does asyncmac.sys do and is it critical for Windows' XP stability?

After F-Prot removed or quarantined several files, a window appeared stating
that I need to put the Service Pack 3 cd in the cd drive to replace certain
files that were removed or quarantined. And, if I didn't do it, Windows might
become unstable.
2) Is there a way to determine if Windows XP is now unstable - that is,
determine Windows stability before it potentially crashes?

Since I do not have a Service Pack 3 cd, I couldn't follow the above
instructions to use a service Pack 3 cd to replace the files that were
quarantined or removed by F-Prot. So, I then thought about trying to
reinstall Service Pack 3. To reinstall Service Pack 3, I clicked on the
Windows Update icon which took me to a window in Internet Explorer 7 that
stated, "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
installed on your computer." So I chose, "Register and reinstall the files
for me now," in that Window. When I then clicked on the "Continue" button,
that same window just kept reappearing and I could get beyond it to a page
that would allow me to update Windows XP or download Service Pack 3.
3) How do I fix that Windows update page so the required files for Microsoft
update are installed on my computer?

4) How do I download Windows Service Pack 3?

5) Given the problems mentioned above, should I reinstall Windows Service
Pack 3?

Thanks.
Richard

 

[TaurArian]

Please see the responses to your original post:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...&p=1&tid=ea931852-38cf-4dad-9548-6f2976e32a5f

 

[kim]

Steps to take before you install Windows Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

 

[Twayne]

I am using Windows XP with Service Pack 3 in a Dell computer.

Tonight F-Prot antivirus software removed several files and
quarantined several other files that were infected with a virus. In
the F-Prot quarantined file list, it the following file was
quarantined twice today: "asyncmac.sys."
1) What does asyncmac.sys do and is it critical for Windows' XP
stability?

What it does:
http://www.file.net/process/asyncmac.sys.html


It can also be a virus:

The following threats are known to be associated with the file
"asyncmac.sys":
Threat AliasNumber of Incidents
Generic PUP.x [McAfee]1
Hacktool.Rootkit [Symantec]1
Trojan-Mailfinder.Win32.Agent.ri [Kaspersky Lab]1
VirTool:WinNT/Emold.gen!A [Microsoft]1

After F-Prot removed or quarantined several files, a window appeared
stating that I need to put the Service Pack 3 cd in the cd drive to
replace certain files that were removed or quarantined. And, if I
didn't do it, Windows might become unstable.

In this case it doesn't sound like anything will be unstable unless
there are other borked files in addition to that one. If it's a service
you need, that service won't work, but it shouldn't make it unstable
from what I read.

2) Is there a way to determine if Windows XP is now unstable - that
is, determine Windows stability before it potentially crashes?

See above.

Since I do not have a Service Pack 3 cd, I couldn't follow the above
instructions to use a service Pack 3 cd to replace the files that were
quarantined or removed by F-Prot. So, I then thought about trying to
reinstall Service Pack 3. To reinstall Service Pack 3, I clicked on
the Windows Update icon which took me to a window in Internet
Explorer 7 that stated, "Files required to use Microsoft Update are
no longer registered or installed on your computer." So I chose,
"Register and reinstall the files for me now," in that Window. When I
then clicked on the "Continue" button, that same window just kept
reappearing and I could get beyond it to a page that would allow me
to update Windows XP or download Service Pack 3. 3) How do I fix that
Windows update page so the required files for Microsoft update are
installed on my computer?

Go to the MS site and search for "SP3". It's still there. If I were
you I'd download the actual program instead of installing it right away
so that in the future you'll have it avaliable. Then burn it to a CD.
I usually download things like that, and then go back and let the site
install it for me. Be aware, if your system is still messed up, SP3
might not install cleanly so be prepared, just in case.

4) How do I download Windows Service Pack 3?

Search for it on the MS update site. You can download just the parts of
it you need for your computer,, or the whole SP3 in which case you'd be
able to use it to install on any computer.

5) Given the problems mentioned above, should I reinstall Windows
Service Pack 3?

You might want to try a Repair Install first, then try to install it.
I'd say you need it just because it avoids having to do hundreds of
updates/upgrades; you'll only have to do the ones that are post-SP3.

I'm wondering if your AV didn't remove the good file, too. Check the
sizes against the link above and see if they match; perhaps you can put
the good one back and just go on about your business. Google found a
lot of hits on the filename you gave; check it out.

HTH,

Twayne