SP3 problem

[Bob]

I installed sp3, and it messed up my machine. It deleted my Norton Internet
security, and put Windows protectit on my machine. It also screwed up some
of my game programs: ie Klondike,Mahjongg,etc. My question is: Is there a
way to delete sp3 and restore my old programs?
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Bob K

 

[SC Tom]

I installed sp3, and it messed up my machine. It deleted my Norton
Internet security, and put Windows protectit on my machine. It also
screwed up some of my game programs: ie Klondike,Mahjongg,etc. My question
is: Is there a way to delete sp3 and restore my old programs?
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Bob K

"Protectit" is not a Microsoft Windows product. Sounds like something else
is messed up besides SP3. Try running MalwareBytes, SuperAntiSpyware, and/or
any other AV/AS programs you may have. SP3 can be uninstalled through
Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Be sure the Show Updates box is
checked.

SC Tom

 

[JS]

XP Service Pack 3 does not include
any AV software applications. It also
will not delete your existing NIS software.

What version of NIS are you using?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I installed sp3, and it messed up my machine. It deleted my Norton
Internet security, and put Windows protectit on my machine. It
also screwed up some of my game programs: ie Klondike,Mahjongg,etc.
My question is: Is there a way to delete sp3 and restore my old
programs? Thank you for any help you can give me.

Going to have to assume a lot here, but here are my assumptions: You have
Windows XP and claim to have tried to install Service Pack 3 for WIndows XP.

No, no Microsoft Service Pack 3 for Windows XP installation is very unlikely
(0 to 0.0000001%) to have been the root cause of anything you have listed
there. It would not have uninstalled NIS (although - my opinion is that
*you* likely should have a long time ago *grin*), it should not have
'screwed up' your games, etc. As for "Windows protectit" --> what?! Maybe
a little research on your part would have helped before and can help you
explain more accurately and assign blame more precisely.

It really sounds like you installed something other than Microsoft Service
Pack 3 for Windows XP. It also sounds like you may have an
infestation/infection of some type/many types.

You should probably uninstall whatever it is you installed. Control
Panel --> Add or Remove Programs --> Show Updates (checked). Remove SP3 if
it is there. Also, take note of the other software that is listed. See if
your NIS is still listed, see if your games are listed, just make a nice
list of everything. As for the various Windows/Microsoft updates you will
see - take note of the recent ones (install date, right side) and the ones
that were installed on/after the date you did all this.

If it is Windows XP SP3 you speak of, here is the removal instructions:

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

Now - cleanup that machine.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time

Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)

Reboot.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones fornow. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to install
Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Once it is cleaned up - I suggest you install some plain antivirus (free is
fine) software, use the built-in Windows Firewall and get the machine back
up to service pack 3 status ASAP.

1) Download the full SP3 installation file.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4

2) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

3) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

4) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the taskbar gives you
a choice to do so.

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable. Reboot when requested to
do so. Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes. Reboot.
Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.

After that - there will be more updates. Repeat the steps above that had
you visiting the http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ web page.

Want more specific instructions/list of applications/etc - please ask.

 

[Richard]

news:%23H%[email protected]...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Hi Shenan,

What exactly does the CTRL key accomplish at Windows Update?

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable. Reboot when requested
to
do so. Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes. Reboot.
Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.

By "settle" do you mean let the computer do nothing? Why 3 reboots?

Thanks in advance.
--Richard

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I installed sp3, and it messed up my machine. It deleted my Norton
Internet security, and put Windows protectit on my machine. It
also screwed up some of my game programs: ie Klondike,Mahjongg,etc.
My question is: Is there a way to delete sp3 and restore my old
programs?

It really sounds like you installed something other than Microsoft
Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. It also sounds like you may have an
infestation/infection of some type/many types.

You should probably uninstall whatever it is you installed. Control
Panel --> Add or Remove Programs --> Show Updates (checked). Remove SP3 if
it is there. Also, take note of the other software
that is listed. See if your NIS is still listed, see if your games
are listed, just make a nice list of everything. As for the
various Windows/Microsoft updates you will see - take note of the
recent ones (install date, right side) and the ones that were
installed on/after the date you did all this.
If it is Windows XP SP3 you speak of, here is the removal
instructions:
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Now - cleanup that machine.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately)
with the following two applications (freeware versions are the ones
to use for this):
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and
removing whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall
these products, if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here
(x86): http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to
the root of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and
click on NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time

Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)

Reboot.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet
Explorer and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web
pages - first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on
it. You can release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority
updates (deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than
3-5 at a time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I
recommend against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office
Live" ones or "Windows Live" ones fornow. I would completely avoid
the Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Once it is cleaned up - I suggest you install some plain antivirus
(free is fine) software, use the built-in Windows Firewall and get
the machine back up to service pack 3 status ASAP.

1) Download the full SP3 installation file.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4

2) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

3) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically
disconnect - pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

4) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are
about to install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the
taskbar gives you a choice to do so.

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable. Reboot when
requested to do so. Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about
10 minutes. Reboot. Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' -
reboot.
After that - there will be more updates. Repeat the steps above
that had you visiting the http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ web
page.
Want more specific instructions/list of applications/etc - please
ask.

Thank you for your input, everything worked fine. It was not
Windows that put that bogus SP3 on my machine, it was a trojan. I
found nothing pertaining to it in Control Panel, add or remove. I
downloaded both programs, and ran them, they cleaned up the
machine, and brought Norton back. I gather from your message that
you do not like Norton. Can you tell me what program you use in
place of Norton?

First - please do not change the subject line of your posting. For those
who follow threads, it can be very confusing and perhpas they would miss the
changed subjec-lines all together. The subject is how many things keep a
conversation together, keep them ina single thread. When you change it - it
breaks that connection for some and if they had their application following
along the conversation for them - it may not be marked and you may never
hear from them again.

In any case...

It's not Norton I do not like (although it is more bloated and uses more
resources than many other applications to do the same thing - resources you
might want to use elsewhere and there have been many products of theirs that
have been difficult for some people to remove and maintain the full
functionality of their machines in the past) - it's any all-in-one suite.
You take a company that does something well and decides they can do
everything related to security and the product you usually end up with lacks
in one or more of the other facets of security and it also complicates
things beyond most people's comprehension. Security should be simple and
elegant - if you over-complicate - most people will not keep it up properly,
etc.

In any case- yes - I suggest you use the Windows Firewall, a home NAT router
(hardware) if you have cable/dsl/other high-speed Internet and something
like Avira AntiVirus or AVG AntiVirus or Avast! AntiVirus (free - all of
them) or if you are willing to put down a little money - eSet NOD32
AntiVirus is a fantastic AV product. Notice - I only specifiy AntiVirus.

If you are concerned about malware infesting your machine on top of
viruses/trojans - I have found the full MalwareBytes product (the free is
great for cleanup) to be pretty on-top-of-things when it comes to that.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hi Shenan,

What exactly does the CTRL key accomplish at Windows Update?


By "settle" do you mean let the computer do nothing? Why 3 reboots?

CTRL - usually the 'allow this' for popup blockers.

'Settle' is waiting, letting the computer finish up its post-SP3
installation/configurations - the computer is unlikely to be doing nothing -
but you should. ;-) Your computer may still have a few things to do after
the first, possibly even the second post-SP3 reboot. Three - because it's a
good number and in my experience - ensures that you've allowed Windows XP to
finish up most of its post-SP3 cleanup/tasks.