SP3?

[Nancy]

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is this safe
to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause problems the way that
SP2 did?

nancyeddy

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is
this safe to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause
problems the way that SP2 did?

First - are you saying that installing SP2 crashed your systems and/or
caused problems with your system?

Second - no one can answer that. Your machine is *your* machine. Unique by
hardware components (maybe) and by hardware+software installed (almost
definitely) and by your usage and maintenance of it (definitely.) What
will/won't have adverse or advantageous affects on your computer will be
different than just about everyone else on the planet in the same situation
with SP3.

My observations (YMMV) and suggestions for a safe/healthy install...

Short version: know what you are getting into and properly prepare.

Longer version:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 has worked for 100's of thousands
(if not millions upon millions) of users. Strictly speaking -
percentage-wise - those with issues are not just in the minority - but
'super-minority'. Also - most problems installing it have been caused by
something already being wrong with the machine in question and the
installation of SP3 merely exposing that fact.

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

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

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

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

Hope that helps!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is
this safe to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause
problems the way that SP2 did?

According to Microsoft, SP3 is supposed to be safer and more
versatile then SP2. They said SP2 was full of crashes and Windows
errors. If people are having problems with it, I say don't download
it.

igotvirus91,

I have no idea what you just said. It seems to be something, but I cannot
piece it together.

Where did you read this supposed Microsoft statement comparing SP2 and SP3?
Who are "they"?
I've seen people have trouble posting on these newsgroups... I'll let you
read the advice into that. ;-)

Nancy, et al;

I'll repeat my posting again - just so it gets better Google scores and
might actually assist those pondering (and bothering to research) an
installation of SP3 for Windows XP. ;-)

First - are you saying that installing SP2 crashed your systems and/or
caused problems with your system?

Second - no one can answer that. Your machine is *your* machine. Unique by
hardware components (maybe) and by hardware+software installed (almost
definitely) and by your usage and maintenance of it (definitely.) What
will/won't have adverse or advantageous affects on your computer will be
different than just about everyone else on the planet in the same situation
with SP3.

My observations (YMMV) and suggestions for a safe/healthy install...

Short version: know what you are getting into and properly prepare.

Longer version:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 has worked for 100's of thousands
(if not millions upon millions) of users. Strictly speaking -
percentage-wise - those with issues are not just in the minority - but
'super-minority'. Also - most problems installing it have been caused by
something already being wrong with the machine in question and the
installation of SP3 merely exposing that fact.

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

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

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

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

Hope that helps!

 

[Nancy]

When I first installed SP2, it caused my machine all kinds of problems.
Glitches appeared that hadn't appeared before, the installation would start,
then stop, hanging the machine, it kept giving me an 'installation failed'
message, and when I uninstalled and tried to reinstall, it put all kinds of
extra copies of things on my hard drive. So I had a very bad experience with
SP2, which I waited as long as I could before installing in the first place
because of all the network/dialup connection issues I'd heard about.

I'm still on a home network, but now I'm on DSL, and I've read some reports
of those two things being affected by the installation of SP3.

If my machine is fully up to date without SP3, why should I have to install
it. Won't SP3 have mostly the same things that I already have on my system?

nancyeddy

--
http://nancyeddy.com

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is
this safe to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause
problems the way that SP2 did?

First - are you saying that installing SP2 crashed your systems and/or
caused problems with your system?

Second - no one can answer that. Your machine is *your* machine. Unique
by hardware components (maybe) and by hardware+software installed (almost
definitely) and by your usage and maintenance of it (definitely.) What
will/won't have adverse or advantageous affects on your computer will be
different than just about everyone else on the planet in the same
situation with SP3.

My observations (YMMV) and suggestions for a safe/healthy install...

Short version: know what you are getting into and properly prepare.

Longer version:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 has worked for 100's of thousands
(if not millions upon millions) of users. Strictly speaking -
percentage-wise - those with issues are not just in the minority - but
'super-minority'. Also - most problems installing it have been caused by
something already being wrong with the machine in question and the
installation of SP3 merely exposing that fact.

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

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

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

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

Hope that helps!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is
this safe to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause
problems the way that SP2 did?

First - are you saying that installing SP2 crashed your systems
and/or caused problems with your system?

Second - no one can answer that. Your machine is *your* machine. Unique
by hardware components (maybe) and by hardware+software
installed (almost definitely) and by your usage and maintenance of
it (definitely.) What will/won't have adverse or advantageous
affects on your computer will be different than just about everyone
else on the planet in the same situation with SP3.

My observations (YMMV) and suggestions for a safe/healthy install...

Short version: know what you are getting into and properly prepare.

Longer version:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 has worked for 100's of thousands
(if not millions upon millions) of users. Strictly speaking -
percentage-wise - those with issues are not just in the minority -
but 'super-minority'. Also - most problems installing it have been
caused by something already being wrong with the machine in
question and the installation of SP3 merely exposing that fact.

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

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

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

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

Hope that helps!

When I first installed SP2, it caused my machine all kinds of
problems. Glitches appeared that hadn't appeared before, the
installation would start, then stop, hanging the machine, it kept
giving me an 'installation failed' message, and when I uninstalled
and tried to reinstall, it put all kinds of extra copies of things
on my hard drive. So I had a very bad experience with SP2, which I
waited as long as I could before installing in the first place
because of all the network/dialup connection issues I'd heard
about.
I'm still on a home network, but now I'm on DSL, and I've read some
reports of those two things being affected by the installation of
SP3.
If my machine is fully up to date without SP3, why should I have to
install it. Won't SP3 have mostly the same things that I already
have on my system?

SP3 contains 1174+ updates released after SP2. You may have 100 or so of
those installed.

If you don't feel a pressing need to install it - don't. No one is making
you do it. Heck - you could still be running Windows 98 if you so desired.

Know that sooner or later - if you continue utilizing Windows XP - you will
need SP3 installed to continue to receive updates. That's pretty much the
only 'forced' part of the whole thing - but that time is some time off.
However - free support for the installation and troubleshooting of SP3
issues only lasts through April 2009 - so put that into your calculations.

If you were to go through the links I gave and properly prepare your
system - including a full system backup before starting - the only thing
*possibly* lost would be your time. It's one of the great features of
computers (where software is concerned) - you can make a full backup and
with little effort - return to that 'snapshot in time' when ever you desire.
A luxury not every thing in life grants you.

My suggestion is to cleanup your machine - update the drivers and installed
software, check for malware and viruses, uninstall unnecessary software,
check the disk for errors, defragment, make a final system backup (imaging
will give the best chance of a complete rollback to a given state - but even
just backing up your stuff and the system state helps) and after reading
through the list of known issues I gave, preparing for those and going
through the assorted check lists - bite the bullet and install SP3.

Chances are - everything will work out fine. I actually have *not*
personally experienced a failed installation in the 1000+ installs I have
done since the release. YMMV.

If it doesn't - I suggest you utilize the free support link I gave you on
another machine and attempt to remedy the issue there and/or here. If you
get frustrated and tiured of trying (if this even happens this way) you can
always revert to your last good backup. In the end - you might expend a
days worth of effort on SP3 itself - if things go awry (I don't count a lot
of the preparation - as technically - many of the things you would do to
prepare - you should be doing anyway) - but you'll end up with a fully
patched system that will likely never have such a drastic upgrade (unless
you try to put Vista on it) again.

But - it's your choice.

 

[HEMI-Powered]

Nancy added these comments in the current discussion du jour ...

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is
this safe to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause
problems the way that SP2 did?

Nancy, the question you should be asking is WHY. If your system is stable
on SP2, why risk a visit from Murphy?

 

[HEMI-Powered]

Shenan Stanley added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

First - are you saying that installing SP2 crashed your systems
and/or caused problems with your system?

Second - no one can answer that. Your machine is *your* machine.
Unique by hardware components (maybe) and by hardware+software
installed (almost definitely) and by your usage and maintenance of
it (definitely.) What will/won't have adverse or advantageous
affects on your computer will be different than just about everyone
else on the planet in the same situation with SP3.

My observations (YMMV) and suggestions for a safe/healthy install...

Short version: know what you are getting into and properly prepare.

Longer version:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 has worked for 100's of thousands
(if not millions upon millions) of users. Strictly speaking -
percentage-wise - those with issues are not just in the minority -
but 'super-minority'. Also - most problems installing it have been
caused by something already being wrong with the machine in question
and the installation of SP3 merely exposing that fact.

ALL versions of Windows work for hundreds of millions of people. That's
not the issue. It is how many does it NOT work for and how can one
predict who they may be? Not easy, methinketh. The key to these things
is to lurk for a LONG time and let others beta test with their Visa
cards and debug the latest whatever. And, that goes for app developers
and not just Windows!

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

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5f
b-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT
Professionals and Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E7
6-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp
3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

If one actually followed all of the guidelines and observed the
disclaimers, they'd still be running DOS 1.0.

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/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-a
md-based-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/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-a
md-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx .
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/09/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_crashe
s/ .
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBas
ic&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

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

Hope that helps!

 

[HEMI-Powered]

Shenan Stanley added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

Okay, I'm seeing a lot of problems with SP3. So I have to ask: is
this safe to install? Is it going to crash my system and cause
problems the way that SP2 did?

First - are you saying that installing SP2 crashed your systems
and/or caused problems with your system?

Second - no one can answer that. Your machine is *your* machine.
Unique by hardware components (maybe) and by hardware+software
installed (almost definitely) and by your usage and maintenance of
it (definitely.) What will/won't have adverse or advantageous
affects on your computer will be different than just about everyone
else on the planet in the same situation with SP3.

My observations (YMMV) and suggestions for a safe/healthy
install...

Short version: know what you are getting into and properly prepare.

Longer version:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 has worked for 100's of thousands
(if not millions upon millions) of users. Strictly speaking -
percentage-wise - those with issues are not just in the minority -
but 'super-minority'. Also - most problems installing it have been
caused by something already being wrong with the machine in
question and the installation of SP3 merely exposing that fact.

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

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5
fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT
Professionals and Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E
76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-s
p3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installati on.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/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-
amd-based-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/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-
amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx .
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/09/windows_xp_sp3_reboots_crash
es/ .
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBa
sic&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

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

Hope that helps!

When I first installed SP2, it caused my machine all kinds of
problems. Glitches appeared that hadn't appeared before, the
installation would start, then stop, hanging the machine, it kept
giving me an 'installation failed' message, and when I uninstalled
and tried to reinstall, it put all kinds of extra copies of things
on my hard drive. So I had a very bad experience with SP2, which I
waited as long as I could before installing in the first place
because of all the network/dialup connection issues I'd heard
about. I'm still on a home network, but now I'm on DSL, and I've
read some reports of those two things being affected by the
installation of SP3.
If my machine is fully up to date without SP3, why should I have to
install it. Won't SP3 have mostly the same things that I already
have on my system?

SP3 contains 1174+ updates released after SP2. You may have 100 or
so of those installed.

I am VERY cautious about letting MS update my system, so why on Earth
would I allow 1174+ untested (by production users) to suddenly invade
an otherwise stable system? Seems to me that the time to install an SP
is about when the next one goes into beta, as I did with SP2. And, if I
were thinking of Vista today, at least an SP is out or iminent, but I'd
still feel safer six-12 months into it's SP1.

Look, I don't hate MS but if something goes bump in the night with your
O/S, you are toast. Or, you may be in for a really long fix, such as
the nuke and reinstall shuffle.

If you don't feel a pressing need to install it - don't. No one is
making you do it. Heck - you could still be running Windows 98 if
you so desired.

Know that sooner or later - if you continue utilizing Windows XP -
you will need SP3 installed to continue to receive updates. That's
pretty much the only 'forced' part of the whole thing - but that
time is some time off. However - free support for the installation
and troubleshooting of SP3 issues only lasts through April 2009 - so
put that into your calculations.

I've got a 2nd PC on SP1 and the only update I get is the malicious
software removal tool. Still, I feel safe enough as IMO the vast
majority of so-called critical fixes aren't, they're just some
compromise that MS had reported to them that they want to close.

If you were to go through the links I gave and properly prepare your
system - including a full system backup before starting - the only
thing *possibly* lost would be your time. It's one of the great
features of computers (where software is concerned) - you can make a
full backup and with little effort - return to that 'snapshot in
time' when ever you desire. A luxury not every thing in life grants
you.

My suggestion is to cleanup your machine - update the drivers and
installed software, check for malware and viruses, uninstall
unnecessary software, check the disk for errors, defragment, make a
final system backup (imaging will give the best chance of a complete
rollback to a given state - but even just backing up your stuff and
the system state helps) and after reading through the list of known
issues I gave, preparing for those and going through the assorted
check lists - bite the bullet and install SP3.

All good ideas, but again, IMO, it is NOT a good idea to update drivers
just for the helluva it - ONLY when it is necessary.

Chances are - everything will work out fine. I actually have *not*
personally experienced a failed installation in the 1000+ installs I
have done since the release. YMMV.

You sound pretty knowledgeable and experience so I'm sure you must know
that one cannot prove a negative hypothesis by citing examples because
even after 1,000,000 safe installs of anything, on the 1,000,001 it
could blow down big time. This is precisely why big IT shops build
their own "slams" after rigorously testing anything new for months and
months until they are as sure as they can be that it will work. Real
civilians don't have the luxury of an IT team behind them.

If it doesn't - I suggest you utilize the free support link I gave
you on another machine and attempt to remedy the issue there and/or
here.

Seriously, Shenan, use the free support link when one's system is
destroyed?

If you get frustrated and tiured of trying (if this even

happens this way) you can always revert to your last good backup.

that's assuming the machine will even start ...

 

[HEMI-Powered]

igotvirus91 added these comments in the current discussion du jour ...

According to Microsoft, SP3 is supposed to be safer and more versatile
then SP2. They said SP2 was full of crashes and Windows errors. If
people are having problems with it, I say don't download it.

like "military intelligence", "microsoft security" and "microsoft
quality" are oxymorons. No, MS is not full of morons, it just means that
they're not exactly noted for bug-free releases of anything.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

Nancy, the question you should be asking is WHY. If your system is
stable on SP2, why risk a visit from Murphy?

I have read all of your other comments as well - and you and I are not at
odds with this - although your multiple replies to my postings does infer to
me that you believe we are.

In the end - it is Nancy's decision whether or not to go to SP3. My
experience with the whole thing leaves me feeling that SP3 is worth it. I
believe it to be the wise choice if done 'properly'. If Nancy does not
believe she is capable of doing it 'properly', then she should not proceed.
It's really as simple as that.

As for the comments about 'if it boots afterwards' or whatever - that shows
the lack of preparation I speak of and point out should be done - including
a backup of the system (preferably a complete image of the system.) While I
admit most would be unaware of any dangers something like a service pack
introduces - being unaware of how backups can help you recover a system
and/or protect the stuff dearest to you on the computer *should be*
something that doesn't happen anymore. ;-)

As for the rest - *shrug* - it's all a matter or perspective.

 

[HEMI-Powered]

Shenan Stanley added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

<snipped>



I have read all of your other comments as well - and you and I are
not at odds with this - although your multiple replies to my
postings does infer to me that you believe we are.

I replied multiple times NOT on the same of your posts, but as you went
deeper into the tall weeds. I calls 'em like I sees 'em, YMMV and it
clearly does.

In the end - it is Nancy's decision whether or not to go to SP3. My
experience with the whole thing leaves me feeling that SP3 is worth
it. I believe it to be the wise choice if done 'properly'. If
Nancy does not believe she is capable of doing it 'properly', then
she should not proceed. It's really as simple as that.

I am "capable of doing it properly" but still fail to see why I should
even try, given no discernible benefit beyond "1174+ updates" and every
reason NOT to risk a system blow-down just to prove a point.

As for the comments about 'if it boots afterwards' or whatever -
that shows the lack of preparation I speak of and point out should
be done - including a backup of the system (preferably a complete
image of the system.) While I admit most would be unaware of any
dangers something like a service pack introduces - being unaware of
how backups can help you recover a system and/or protect the stuff
dearest to you on the computer *should be* something that doesn't
happen anymore. ;-)

As for the rest - *shrug* - it's all a matter or perspective.

Just so you know, I DO backup my system both with manual RPs and with
Acronis True Image 9.0. Clearly, before I installed a major O/S update,
I would image my HDD.

You are right, it IS a matter of perspective and while I don't hate MS
as some do, as I said last night, I also don't hate MVPs, although some
do. I have to say, though, that compared to some of your brethren, your
comments seem to border on being a shill of MS. I'm sure you're not,
but in reading these posts as well as many others, you tend to see the
bright side in what MS does and NOT the dark side that so many others
do, both them who complain here and them that complain to MS which
often result in MS KB articles to tell people how to un-screw what MS
hath wrought. To each their own, I always say.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Shenan Stanley added these comments in the current discussion du
jour ...


I replied multiple times NOT on the same of your posts, but as you
went deeper into the tall weeds. I calls 'em like I sees 'em, YMMV
and it clearly does.


I am "capable of doing it properly" but still fail to see why I
should even try, given no discernible benefit beyond "1174+
updates" and every reason NOT to risk a system blow-down just to
prove a point.

Just so you know, I DO backup my system both with manual RPs and
with Acronis True Image 9.0. Clearly, before I installed a major
O/S update, I would image my HDD.

You are right, it IS a matter of perspective and while I don't hate
MS as some do, as I said last night, I also don't hate MVPs,
although some do. I have to say, though, that compared to some of
your brethren, your comments seem to border on being a shill of MS.
I'm sure you're not, but in reading these posts as well as many
others, you tend to see the bright side in what MS does and NOT the
dark side that so many others do, both them who complain here and
them that complain to MS which often result in MS KB articles to
tell people how to un-screw what MS hath wrought. To each their
own, I always say.

Addressing the last part only - it's not looking at the bright side of what
MS does - I have many times said Microsoft sucked, did something badly, etc.
I have no idea how many times have I said that I don't care if Microsoft
disappeared completely at some point in these newsgroups.

It is looking at the best side of dealing with what you have. Most of the
people who post problems here are not going to be switching to *nix soon.
So I keep things up-beat and give my experience on how to get around the
problems they are reporting.

If that is being a shill in your mind - I would say your perspective is
skewed. ;-)

 

[joe black]

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."

Shenan, if I understand you correctly XP Pro SP3 cannot accomodate any
version of IE beyond version 6? So, you uniinstall version to get back to
version 6, then update? Reason I'm asking is that the Microsoft Update
Web-site made no mention of my needing to uninstall IE 7. I will wait for
your reply before I go ahead assume anything, or D/L SP3.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

SP3 does support IE7. However, there are some people who are just
trying IE7 and that they want to revert back to IE6 in due course. If
this is the case then unless they remove IE7 before installing SP3, they
won't be able to revert back to IE6 and the only alternative will be to
do a clean install of Windows XP. If you are happy with IE7 then you
have no need to worry about anything and you don't have to do anything
else apart from installing SP3 in Safe Mode or after stopping
Anti-virus/FireWall and Anti-spyware programs. I prefer to do in safe
mode because it is faster and less risky assuming you are offline when
installing.

hth

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Shenan, if I understand you correctly XP Pro SP3 cannot accomodate
any version of IE beyond version 6? So, you uniinstall version to
get back to version 6, then update? Reason I'm asking is that the
Microsoft Update Web-site made no mention of my needing to
uninstall IE 7. I will wait for your reply before I go ahead assume
anything, or D/L SP3.

You do not understand.

Windows XP with SP3 can have IE6, IE7 or IE8 beta installed.

The trick is only in what you have installed *before* installing SP3 onto a
system.

If you have IE6 installed before you install SP3 - you can upgrade to IE7
and roll back to IE6 at any time. You can also try out IE8 beta and roll
back to IE7 or IE6 at anytime.

If you have IE7 installed before you install SP3 - you cannot roll back to
IE6 without first uninstalling SP3. You can upgrade to IE8 beta and roll
back to IE7, but without uninstalling SP3 first - you cannot uninstall IE7
to go back to IE6.

In general - if you have IE8 beta installed - you should uninstall it before
installing anything major - like a service pack - after all - IE8 is a BETA.
;-)