Repairing computer from SP3 to SP2

[Ren]

Background: So i installed SP3 and it caused my computer to the never ending
boot cycle. So i search about it and input the error in another computer on
google. "you computer did not find this file blah blah, so either use BART-PE
or your Windows Disc to repair blah blah".

I put in the Windows disc and wallah, it worked its magic i suppose?
Re-register the product key for the computer and when it booted all my files
where back (I was never happier in my whole entire life).

Question: Of course now that i did do it, windows keeps telling me to
install all these updates, naturally i just say ok to it, it then fails and
tells me to install again (and it repeats over and over). Ever since that
'repair' from SP3 i have no understanding on what i really did, what is going
on and why my computer is going awfully slow. Could anyone please explain to
me what happened and what i should do?

P.S. I have ticked the notify me so i will reply, anymore details i will
gladly give.

 

[David Webb]

It appears that the SP3 update was not successful and you mentioned that your
Windows disc repaired the system. Some questions:

1) Did you have SP2 installed prior to updating to SP3?
2) Did your Windows disc contain the SP2 update?
3) What is the current version of the OS? From Start > Run, enter winver, click
OK.

 

[Ren]

Hello David thank you for helping!

Answers
1) Yes i did have SP2 previously ^_^!
2) Yes the disc is for SP2 (The read me file inside the disc goes "This
release of Microsoft® Windows® XP includes Service Pack 2 (SP2).")
3) Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158 : Service Pack 2)

 

[David Webb]

Good info. My guess is that you may have a composite of SP2 and SP3 files on
your system, since SP3 never installed or was removed correctly. To add to this
mess, if you had IE7 installed when you repaired, using the WinXP SP2 disc, this
too could be adding to your problems.

I suggest another repair installation. This time be sure that IE7 is
uninstalled, you are disconnected from the internet, and you follow the
procedures of the following tech article:

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

I'd suggest using the procedure outlined in method 2 in the above article.

If this secondary repair procedure does not solve your problem, you may want to
consider a clean install of the system and all of your applications.

In this case, here's the approach I recommend:

Backup your existing drivers to an external USB drive, using the freeware
utility Drivermax http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/index.htm

Backup your files and settings using WinXP's native FAST utility. Save this data
to the same USB drive. See this article for a complete tutorial. Be sure to use
the same and latest version of the wizard on both systems.
http://winsupportcenter.com/win5/a/fast.htm

Backup any other data you consider critical or unique to the same USB drive.

Wipe your HDD clean. The WinXP installation disc will do this for you.

Install Windows XP

Install Drivermax

Restore all of your drivers

Install your applications. If you happen to install an older driver, use
Drivermax to re-install your saved version.

Run the FAST utility to restore all files and settings that you chose to save.
Note: Passwords are not saved, by design. You will need to re-enter them.

After you have a stable SP2 system again, you can then install SP3. I found the
easiest way is via a CD, created from the downloaded ISO file. In this way, you
can disconnect from the internet and safely disable your anti-virus application
(a very important step).

Here are some helpful SP3 links, (courtesy of TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update
Services )

Information -

Release notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311

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

Some third-party programs may experience a change in functionality after you
install
Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947309

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CE-B5FB-4488-8C50-FE22559D164E&displaylang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and
Developers
(Single installations for PCs can use the same file)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

If required - where to get assistance -

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (All Languages)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows
XP, but
only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is valid until April 14,
2009. For
more information about this policy, visit the Windows XP Support Lifecycle page
located at
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223. Chat and e-mail support is
available only
in the United States and Canada. For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help
and
Support site at http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173, and
then choose
your product.

.. US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

.. CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-ca&prid=11273&gprid=522131

.. UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-uk&prid=11273&gprid=522131

.. AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-au&prid=11273&gprid=522131

.. Other:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173
select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
--

Good luck!

P.S. After you successfully install SP3 on your system, you should create a new
WinXP disc with SP3 slipstreamed into it. The details for this procedure are for
another day.

 

[Nepatsfan]

Background: So i installed SP3 and it caused my computer to the never ending
boot cycle. So i search about it and input the error in another computer on
google. "you computer did not find this file blah blah, so either use BART-PE
or your Windows Disc to repair blah blah".

I put in the Windows disc and wallah, it worked its magic i suppose?
Re-register the product key for the computer and when it booted all my files
where back (I was never happier in my whole entire life).

Question: Of course now that i did do it, windows keeps telling me to
install all these updates, naturally i just say ok to it, it then fails and
tells me to install again (and it repeats over and over). Ever since that
'repair' from SP3 i have no understanding on what i really did, what is going
on and why my computer is going awfully slow. Could anyone please explain to
me what happened and what i should do?

P.S. I have ticked the notify me so i will reply, anymore details i will
gladly give.

See if the info in this article helps with the Windows Update issue.

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

On a side note, if you haven't done so already you might want to back up any
important files on your computer.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Kayman]

Background: So i installed SP3 and it caused my computer to the never ending
boot cycle. So i search about it and input the error in another computer on
google. "you computer did not find this file blah blah, so either use BART-PE
or your Windows Disc to repair blah blah".

I put in the Windows disc and wallah, it worked its magic i suppose?
Re-register the product key for the computer and when it booted all my files
where back (I was never happier in my whole entire life).

Question: Of course now that i did do it, windows keeps telling me to
install all these updates, naturally i just say ok to it, it then fails and
tells me to install again (and it repeats over and over). Ever since that
'repair' from SP3 i have no understanding on what i really did, what is going
on and why my computer is going awfully slow. Could anyone please explain to
me what happened and what i should do?

P.S. I have ticked the notify me so i will reply, anymore details i will
gladly give.

Here is a post from Shenan Stanley to someone who had similar problems:

Have you read through the following links (and/or use the last one to get
support from Microsoft - it's free for SP3 issues through April 2009)?

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

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

Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm

Key things to note:

Internet Explorer:
"If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version of
Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot uninstall
Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7 or a beta
version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before installing Windows
XP
SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall Windows XP SP3,
uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002:
"If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media
Center Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may
malfunction. To avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install
Windows XP SP3. If this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP
SP3, install Windows XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

It seems some people are unable to get further updates after installing
SP3... Seems some have experienced a symptom similar to doing a repair
installation on Windows XP - and the same fix seems to work for them for
that...

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

Some people experience an "endless reboot" issue...

From PA Bear [MS MVP]:
Workarounds:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx
[NB: The above has been updated many times and now includes "a small tool
that will detect the IntelPPM problem and mitigate it before installing
[WinXP SP3]."

1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename INTELPMM.SYS to INTELPMM.OLD.
2. After booting into Safe Mode:
Start --> Run --> (copy/paste)
sc config intelppm start= disabled
--> OK --> Reboot into normal (Windows) mode.

Other references include:
.. http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=187790#p187790
..
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx
.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/09/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_crashes/
..
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9084418
.. You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to
Windows
XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a non-Intel-processor-based computer
(Revised 06 May-08)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372

A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

HTH