SERVICE PACK 3 - Updated Help Needed...

S

Stephen Blakley

I am having a problem with service pack 3. Here is some background:

I am running Windows XP Home edition. I have Microsoft Office Pro 2000
installed.

I also have a software package that uses Microsoft Excel called
“Handicap Manager”, which is a golf program to keep my handicap.
Normally I just click on the desktop icon and my Handicap Manager works
just fine.

In addition, when I am sent a Power Point presentation in an email, I
just double click on the power point presentation and it opens with my
Microsoft Office Pro 2000 Power Point.

The problem began the moment the Microsoft Service Pack 3 was installed.

The moment it was installed I could not a) access my Handicap Manager
program with the desktop icon and b) cannot access any Power Point
presentations directly from my emails. When I do try to access them I
get pop up windows that ask me to install Microsoft Office Standard
Edition 2003.

In both of the above cases, in Excel and in Power Point, a "install"
window comes up wanting to install the 2003 version, which I cannot do
because I have MS OFFICE PRO 2000 and the code they ask for is obviously
not the same as my 2000 code.

I can, however, access my Handicap Manager program using the regular MS
OFFICE PRO 2000 desktop Excel shortcut. Also, if I save the Power Point
presentation from my email to my hard drive I can access it with the
Microsoft Office 2000 Power Point program.

I am not happy with having to do either function.

If I do a system restore to a point where Service Pack 3 has not been
installed, both programs work fine.

I went on line with the Microsoft help people and they suggested that I
remove my AVG software, then put in Service Pack 3 and then reinstall my
AVG software. I did as thy said, and I am still having the problem.

Can anyone help me out with this problem? Am I being forced to upgrade
my MS OFFICE package?
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• 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-gb&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
 
A

Alias

Stephen said:
I am having a problem with service pack 3. Here is some background:

I am running Windows XP Home edition. I have Microsoft Office Pro 2000
installed.

I also have a software package that uses Microsoft Excel called
“Handicap Manager”, which is a golf program to keep my handicap.
Normally I just click on the desktop icon and my Handicap Manager works
just fine.

In addition, when I am sent a Power Point presentation in an email, I
just double click on the power point presentation and it opens with my
Microsoft Office Pro 2000 Power Point.

The problem began the moment the Microsoft Service Pack 3 was installed.

The moment it was installed I could not a) access my Handicap Manager
program with the desktop icon and b) cannot access any Power Point
presentations directly from my emails. When I do try to access them I
get pop up windows that ask me to install Microsoft Office Standard
Edition 2003.

In both of the above cases, in Excel and in Power Point, a "install"
window comes up wanting to install the 2003 version, which I cannot do
because I have MS OFFICE PRO 2000 and the code they ask for is obviously
not the same as my 2000 code.

I can, however, access my Handicap Manager program using the regular MS
OFFICE PRO 2000 desktop Excel shortcut. Also, if I save the Power Point
presentation from my email to my hard drive I can access it with the
Microsoft Office 2000 Power Point program.

I am not happy with having to do either function.

If I do a system restore to a point where Service Pack 3 has not been
installed, both programs work fine.

I went on line with the Microsoft help people and they suggested that I
remove my AVG software, then put in Service Pack 3 and then reinstall my
AVG software. I did as thy said, and I am still having the problem.

Can anyone help me out with this problem? Am I being forced to upgrade
my MS OFFICE package?
Click to expand...

The above is why installing SP3 should be done after a clean install,
not on top of an XP install that's been around for awhile.

Stephen, wait until either SP3 becomes a requirement for updates or when
you reinstall and happy golfing!

Alias
 
W

whittier

Stephen said:
If I do a system restore to a point where Service Pack 3 has not been
installed, both programs work fine.

I went on line with the Microsoft help people and they suggested that I

remove my AVG software, then put in Service Pack 3 and then reinstall
my
AVG software. I did as thy said, and I am still having the problem.

Can anyone help me out with this problem? Am I being forced to upgrade

my MS OFFICE package?
Click to expand...

Conflicting anti-virus programs can cause inexplicable behavior. I've
had a few recent cases where Norton AV did not fully uninstall. The
remnants interacted with newly-installed AVG or Kaspersky Internet
Security and created problems that appeared as bizarre issues with the
OS.

With one machine, the problems were so bad that the best solution was a
fresh install of Windows XP.

A software firewall such as ZoneAlarm could also contribute to your
problems.

While I have no explanation for the issues you describe, I hope my
comments will be helpful.
 
S

Stephen Blakley

Thanks for the advise. I have one more question. If I uninstall
service pack 3, I would have to deactivate the automatic updates from
Microsoft. I have always been told that you should keep the automatic
updates active. Have I been told "wrong"?

Thanks!
 
U

Unknown

You have definitely been told wrong. Automatic updates is not required. You
can do manual updates any time you choose.
Have you thought about reinstalling your office programs AFTER SP3 has been
installed?
 
S

Stephen Blakley

Thank you so much!
You have definitely been told wrong. Automatic updates is not required. You
can do manual updates any time you choose.
Have you thought about reinstalling your office programs AFTER SP3 has been
installed?
Click to expand...
 
A

Alias

Stephen said:
Thanks for the advise. I have one more question. If I uninstall
service pack 3, I would have to deactivate the automatic updates from
Microsoft. I have always been told that you should keep the automatic
updates active. Have I been told "wrong"?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, very wrong as one should deactivate real time scanning from your
anti virus before installing *anything*, including updates. What I do is
set auto update to inform but not install or download. Then I use the
customized option and untick anything I don't want like SP3 or WGA. It
will then ask you if you want to never be informed of the updates you
unticked. I always tick "yes".

Alias
 
A

Alias

Alan said:
Alias,

Not that you asked, but I'm just curious if you've seen some of the posts
that a few of us have been writing regarding your 'problems' with posting on
Microsoft servers?

Alan
Click to expand...

No, I haven't seen them. What do they say? I do know that all my posts
are censored on MS servers. I guess MS is scared of Ubuntu and
rightfully so. MS would do well in China or Iran.

Alias
 
A

**::- Alias- ::**

Alan said:
Alias,

Not that you asked, but I'm just curious if you've seen some of the posts
that a few of us have been writing regarding your 'problems' with posting on
Microsoft servers?

Alan
Click to expand...

Let's see if this post goes through. I'm using MS servers.

Alias
 
S

Stephen Blakley

Microsoft Help line (in India) corrected my problem. Apparently I
installed a demo of MS Office 2003 back in 2005 and never used it. When
Service Pack 3 came out, the demo interfered with it. The technician
deleted the demo package and now all works just fine.

I want to thank each and every one of you who helped me out with some
great suggestions!
 

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