Service Pack 3 Update

S

sookie

Search** on "SP3" and "Service Pack 3" prompted:
"Your query for "Service Pack 3" did not return results." Huh? Whaaat?

My question: MS is "pushing" SP3 via Auto-update; Is it safe to allow it to
install?

Lots of very scary accounts of massive SP3 headaches in forums.

** Search in "Windows XP Help and Support"
 
J

JS

Probably 99% of updates to Service Pack 3 have no problems.
However you should always takes step to insure the best chances of not
having any problems and backing up your PC's hard drive or Windows
partition.

For creating an image backup (even if you don't own a product):
True Image 2009 - has a 15 day trial version available,
(Trial version can create a Restore CD, but I have not verified this yet)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

Now as to installing SP3, I suggest using the full download file instead of
Windows Update:
Where to download the SP3 installation file:
(File is large but will only install components that your PC requires)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

However I have published my findings on installing SP3 here:
http://www.pagestart.com/windowsxpsp3p3pg1.html
(It gives you quite a bit of detail, some of which is not important to the
average user but there are sections in this article you should find
helpful.)

Also see:
If you use Zone Alarm Firewall (Free or Paid) then update to
version 7.0.483.
Warning do not install ZA version 8.0.xxx as it currently has
problems.

Install SP3 in 'Clean Boot' mode:
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

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

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en
Be sure to download and read the file titled 'Overview of Windows XP Service
Pack 3'
Note: "You can run the SP3 update package on any edition of Windows XP SP1
or SP2."

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Discusses the hard disk space requirements for installing
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
"For a PC on which Windows XP is already installed"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311/en-us

Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/cc164204.aspx

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

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Recommends steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Also includes troubleshooting information.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/en-us

Internet Explorer: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"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."

IE 8 Beta Warning - Windows XP Service Pack 3(SP3) users only:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/08/27/upgrading-to-internet-explorer-8-beta-2.aspx

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"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."

XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup:
http://www.aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of
Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/en-us

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support
(Via Email, Chat or Phone support)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

JS
http://www.pagestart.com
 
D

db.·.. >

i firmly believe that
sp3 was a mistake by
microsoft.

it came out way after
vista was released and
sold on the marketplace.

---------------

but if you choose to install
it, then it is your choice.

keep in mind that if you do
install sp3, then your sp2
windows cd will not be
fully functional because it
is a different version
of windows.

the only thing the cd could
provide is access to the
repair console.

also, if you needed to reinstall
windows sp2 or repair it, then
you would have to "uninstall"
sp3 or

take the additional step
of making a functional sp3
windows cd via a process
called slipstreaming or

ordering one from microsoft.
 
S

Shenan Stanley

sookie said:
Search** on "SP3" and "Service Pack 3" prompted:
"Your query for "Service Pack 3" did not return results." Huh?
Whaaat?

My question: MS is "pushing" SP3 via Auto-update; Is it safe to
allow it to install?

Lots of very scary accounts of massive SP3 headaches in forums.

** Search in "Windows XP Help and Support"
Click to expand...

Like it or not - Windows XP SP3 is something that you probably should
install if...

- You are currently running Windows XP (32bit).
- You care about keeping your machine current and running its best.
- You wish to continue running Windows XP for some indeterminate time into
the future.
- You want to free support if you have any trouble installing it (SP3 that
is.)

Service Pack 3 is mostly all of the updates released after SP2 and until the
release of SP3. You may think to yourself that you have been keeping your
PC updated - so you probably have all those updates - fact is, you'd be
incorrect. You may have all the publically released ones, but SP3 contains
1179 previously released updates - guaranteed you do not have them all
installed without it. ;-)

Most of the issues people have had with SP3 have to do with their particular
configuration or a problem caused by a third party change/mis-configuration
on their system - and almost all have a relatively simple fix.

Before starting, know where you can get help:

A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*
until April 2009...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

Other than "Automatic Updates" or the Windows Update web page - how can you
get SP3?

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

Do a little reading - to ensure you are ready...

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."

Did all that and have some issues you believe might be related to SP3?
Check these out:

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...
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:
1. http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=187790#p187790
2.
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx
3. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/09/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_crashes/
4.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9084418
5. 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

Some people have gotten an "Access Denied" message when trying to install
SP3... I suggest going straight to Method 3 of this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

Beyond that - some simple maintenance might be needed - like installing the
latest hardware drivers from your hardware vendors...

Good luck to you! You shouldn't need it, however, with just a little
planning. ;-)
 
L

Leonard Grey

Service Pack 3 is very safe.

This newsgroup is for people who are having trouble with Windows XP.
That's why they post here. The great majority of people who have no
problem with SP 3 have no reason to post here.

Like most everything else in life, the better prepared you are, the
greater your chances of success. For Service Pack 3 a good place to
start is here:

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

So far, the only widely reported problem for SP 3 concerns computers
that have AMD processors - and that problem was created by OEMs
(computer assemblers), not Microsoft.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

"A Day in the Life of a Web 2.0 Hacker" - PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330952,00.asp
 
B

Bernie Kilshaw

Speaking personally I've upgraded three systems to SP3 and only one didn't
give me any problems. I effectively had to rebuild my notebook (Dell
Inspiron 8200) after trying to apply SP3 totally screwed it.

So my initial success rate is 1/3 (I actually got them all to SP3 after a
LOT of work.).

I would suggest that before you start you:

1. Make sure you have source disks and license keys for any add-on
applications.
2. If you can, get your hands on a complete SP3 build source (not just the
SP3) in case you have to rebuild.
3. Back up everything on the system to another machine.
4. Give yourself plenty of time.

Good luck.

Bernie
 
K

Kayman

Speaking personally I've upgraded three systems to SP3 and only one didn't
give me any problems. I effectively had to rebuild my notebook (Dell
Inspiron 8200) after trying to apply SP3 totally screwed it.

So my initial success rate is 1/3 (I actually got them all to SP3 after a
LOT of work.).

I would suggest that before you start you:

1. Make sure you have source disks and license keys for any add-on
applications.
2. If you can, get your hands on a complete SP3 build source (not just the
SP3) in case you have to rebuild.
3. Back up everything on the system to another machine.
4. Give yourself plenty of time.

Good luck.

Bernie
Click to expand...

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

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en

Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...8969-4ddf-beb2-8bfac9ed416b&displaylang=en&tm

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

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

Unknown

You seem to have a very erroneous belief.
db.·.. > said:
i firmly believe that
sp3 was a mistake by
microsoft.

it came out way after
vista was released and
sold on the marketplace.

---------------

but if you choose to install
it, then it is your choice.

keep in mind that if you do
install sp3, then your sp2
windows cd will not be
fully functional because it
is a different version
of windows.

the only thing the cd could
provide is access to the
repair console.

also, if you needed to reinstall
windows sp2 or repair it, then
you would have to "uninstall"
sp3 or

take the additional step
of making a functional sp3
windows cd via a process
called slipstreaming or

ordering one from microsoft.
Click to expand...
 
D

db.·.. >

sp3 is nothing more than
a marketing strategy.

it conveys an ideology
to customers that sp3
must be an improvement
of sp2.

however, if you review the
white paper provided by
microsoft, there is no
improvement to enhance
performance of the sp2.

it continues to state that
people who are seeking
improvements to winxp
simply need to install vista.

as to why sp3 came out?

firstly, it came out well
after vista was released
for sale.

so the thought of continuing
to sell winxp sp2 while vista
was released as a replacement
was poor marketing strategy.

secondly, it provides microsoft
the opportunity to repackage
winxp for sale as sp3.

thirdly, unknowledgeable customers
"will" assume that sp3 is better than
sp2, when in fact the white paper
is clear that there is no notable
improvement in performance.

forth, morons will install sp3 not
realizing that there sp2 cd is no
longer functional.

fifth, there are morons that may
actually buy sp3 eventhough they
have already purchased sp2, especially
if they are not ready to make a
slip stream or know that they can
order an sp3 disk from microsoft.

the bottom line is that
microsoft has always released
individual updates to ensure
that individual computers and
had no reason to alter this
reliable practice, except to
capitalize on sp3.

in my firm opinion, not only
was sp3 a poor choice to make
by microsoft, it seems that vista
may have been as well, since microsoft
is providing unhappy vista customers
with the opportunity to downgrade
to winxp.

lastly, it is the choice of anyone
if they want to install sp3.

but if sp3 doesn't install without
faults or flaws, then it is best for
people to look the other way,
otherwise they will be bending
over backwards to install something
that makes no difference to their
computers.
 
U

Unknown

You have no idea what an update is? Why do you post on this newsgroup?
Especially with an adding machine.
 
D

db.·.. >

that's ok. i don't
take any of it personal.

however, postings like
yours merely display
immaturity and lack
of knowledge.

again, because you are
unskilled, you likely have
not read the white paper
on sp3, thus your remarks
also lack creditability and
professionalism.
 
M

MONKEYS

WHEN IS SP4 COMING OUT? I HAD SP4 IN WIN2K SO I MUST HAVE ONE IN WINXP
AS WELL TO BALANCE IT OUT! I AM SHOUTING NOW TO EGG YOU UP SO GO AHEAD
TO WASTE SOME MORE TIME AND BAND
WIDTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

MONKEY B@ST@RD! JAPANESE LOVE TO EMPLOY PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THEIR
RESTAURANTS. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7654267.stm>
 
T

Twayne

You have no idea what an update is? Why do you post on this
newsgroup? Especially with an adding machine.
Click to expand...

The best thing SP3 does is eliminate the necessity of the hundred or so
updates & hotfixes that SP2 needs. 3 brings them all into one file;
much easier to reinstall if needed.
 
T

Twayne

You have no idea what an update is? Why do you post on this
newsgroup? Especially with an adding machine.
Click to expand...

How so? Cite please?

Actually, there are a few very important enhancements for some users,
just not all users. It's application dependent. That's on top of the
hundred or so fixes for SP2 that no longer need to be added to SP2 if a
system should ever be rebuilt for any reason.
It? What is "it"? Cite please?
Not sure I see any relevance.
Not sure I see the relevance.
Yes, and negates the need for over a hundred updates & hotifixes for
SP2. And the relevance is?

Then you must be looking at the wrong white paper. Cite please?

Not true. With a rebuild, SP2 is prefectly functional, it just needs
the hundred or so updates/hotfixes if you don't have SP3 handy.
SP3 does not have to be bought. It's FREE. It is available free for
download and they charge a small fee for S&H if you want it on CD.

What? That makes no sense. "ensure
SP3 was a long awaited release from MS for the compilation of SP2 into
it if nothing else.
True! Although it could make a difference to being able to update XP in
the future when the SP2 updates are no longer available. SP3 being the
last service pack for XP, it's well worth having unless you are one of
the unfortunates to have any of the (partially/poorly documented)
problems with the installation. THAT is their crime! If it's "just SP2
& hot fixes etc., and a couple enhancements, then WHY are people having
SO much trouble installing it? At first I thought it to be dirty,
unmaintained machines but experience has taught me otherwise on many
client's computers. For some reason it's a mess. Fortunately SP2 and
its attendant set of updates and hotfixes are available.

 

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