SP3 has made my WindowsXP *much* slower

[ship]

WindowsXP Pro (on Network using roaming profiles)


Hi

I just installed SP3 for WindowsXP Professional.

My PC is now running MUCH slower.

- Anyone else had the same problems?

I havent timed it but certain interface actions (like clicking on
"Browse" buttons) see to take twice or three times longer to on up. So
much so that I thought might have a virus!

I am now regretting installing SP3. But am not sure how easy/safe it
is to uninstal SP3.

- Any thoughts?


Ship
Shiperton Henethe

P.S. Software used
- msOutlook2003
- Photoshop 6
- Macromedia Dreamweaver MX4
- Xara Xtreme Professional
- TextPad
etc, but EVERYTHING seems to be *substantially* slower!

 

[Kayman]

I just installed SP3 for WindowsXP Professional.
My PC is now running MUCH slower.

I am now regretting installing SP3. But am not sure how easy/safe it
is to uninstal SP3.
Any thoughts?

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Things to do prior downloadin/installing SP3.
1.Make an Image backup of the hard drive/Windows Partition before you
install SP3
2.Test your System Restore to see if it is working correctly.
3.Make absolutely sure the machine's free of any hijackware, Trojan, or
virus infections before installing SP3.
4.Run Disk Cleanup then run a Defrag session before installing SP3.
5.Disable all real-time protections (anti-virus;anti-spyware;third-party
firewall) before downloading/installing SP3.
6.Reboot twice after installing SP3.
7.Run another Defrag.

Detailed information:
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

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

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

Create an Automated System Recovery set using Backup
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windo...259b-4d55-98f9-12dbc4eb06311033.mspx?mfr=true

How to Set up and Use Automated System Recovery in Windows XP
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456980.aspx

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

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

Recover from a system failure using Automated System Recovery
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windo...50b7-4b14-a2fd-0155d6b174f91033.mspx?mfr=true

Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Access is
denied" or "Service Pack installation did not complete"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

If you don't like the answers provided here go to:
Use this forum for all issues related to Windows XP SP3
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17

Good luck

 

[Rich]

I noticed that after installing SP3 that it took 90 seconds after clicking
"Turn Off Computer" for it to turn off. After uninstalling SP3 it was back
to 20 seconds.

 

[Unknown]

Run disk cleanup and defrag.

 

[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

WinXP-specific newsgroup: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

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

 

[Rich]

I regularly run Diskeeper and CCleaner.

I tried installing SP3 twice. After installing SP3 I ran CCleaner and
Diskeeper with a Boot-time defrag as well each time.

Both times after installing SP3 it took 90 seconds to shut down. After
removing, 20 seconds. I noticed using Process Explorer that there are new
addtional Processes running after installing SP3.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Did you install SP3 via Windows Update or manually?

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 WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
====================================
1. Run Disk Cleanup.

2. Run Defrag.

3. Reboot several times or leave the machine running 24/7 for a few days.
====================================
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

 

[Rich]

I ran it via Windows Update. I was up-to-date with all SP2 fixes security
updates etc. I am still using IE 6.

 

[Rich]

Also other than giving me an MMC error warning for something in Diskeeper
which the MS knowledge base said to click "Ignore" I didnt notice any other
funnis other than it may have taken longer to boot up.

 

[Unknown]

I repeat, run disk cleanup and defrag.

I regularly run Diskeeper and CCleaner.

I tried installing SP3 twice. After installing SP3 I ran CCleaner and
Diskeeper with a Boot-time defrag as well each time.

Both times after installing SP3 it took 90 seconds to shut down. After
removing, 20 seconds. I noticed using Process Explorer that there are new
addtional Processes running after installing SP3.

 

[Mr. Low]

Helo,

May I know how much is your RAM ?

If it is below 1 GB, upgrade it to 2GB would be helpful.

HTH

Low

 

[Rich]

How many times do you want me to run them?

I told you it didn't make any difference. I run Diskeeper daily.

SP3 = 90 second shut down time

SP2 = 20 second shut down time

 

[Unknown]

I know nothing of 'Diskeeper'. To find which program is causing the delay,
edit your startup folder. Run msconfig. and shut down a few programs at a
time till you locate the one causing it.

 

[Rich]

Thank you for the suggestion. I had thought about that but I didn't have
time at the time. When i have a chance I will try that. It would be
interesting to see what is causing the hangup.

Diskeeper is probably the best disk defragmentation software out there.
Diskeeper Pro costs about $45 from Newegg. The Server version ~$270 and the
Enterprise version ~$900.

 

[Hula Baloo]

I ran into an incompatibility betwen SP3 and McAfee Security Suite. I
booted into Safe Mode, uninstalled McAfee, installed AVG 8, problem fixed.
YMMV.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I second the recommendation. Diskeeper is excellent.

 

[Kayman]

How many times do you want me to run them?

I told you it didn't make any difference. I run Diskeeper daily.

SP3 = 90 second shut down time

SP2 = 20 second shut down time

Not sure if daily defragmentation on a modern system is beneficial.
Be that as is may, you may wish to try this:
User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
Brief Description
A service to help with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en

 

[Rich]

I'll look at that. Maybe the "Hive Cleanupill also solve the missing bee
colonies problem here.

 

[Unknown]

Perhaps Diskeeper is best but, the average home user doesn't need it. Why
would I, for example, buy it when Microsoft's
defragger does the job?

 

[ANONYMOUS]

How many times do you want me to run them?

I told you it didn't make any difference. I run Diskeeper daily.

SP3 = 90 second shut down time

SP2 = 20 second shut down time

There is simply no evidence to suggest that defragging the system and running
Windows cleanup utility improves performance of the system.

The only thing I can say is that your system has become unstable due to some
rogue program or programs. If you have done all your backups and you have all
the disks, CDs and serial numbers of all your application programs, then doing a
clean install using integrated/slipstreamed OS would definately resolve this
almost immediately.

Also, this will give you the opportunity to learn something about imaging your HD
with Symantec Ghost or similar products so that in future you have a starting
point should something go wrong with the system.

hth