No, they're not. I had to re-register several DLLs to get the updates
to work, but I ended up with a number of other problems (see Windows
XP Themes & SP3 in this group), and also lost my Standby/Hibernate
options. I eventually uninstalled SP3, got back the XP Style and
themes but the repaint problem stated in that other post is still
there and so are the Standby/Hibernate. I may end up rebuilding the
system again!!!
That seems to be a fairly common complaint; I just installed SP3
(finally) yesterday and almost died from holding my breath but it turned
out fine as near as I can tell so far. No problem - yet, and I *think*
I imght be home free. Time will tel.
Can one assume you have read the prepatory KBs at MS to do prior to
installing? Were there any error messages during the install?
Have you checked MS to be sure you don't have one of the brands that
need special workarounds? There are at least 3 but I can't remember
which ones; HP comes to mind.
IMO I think rebuilding is a good idea considering the status of your
machine right now. And, do a Full BACKUP so you won't have to rebuild
again!! Install XP, do a backup; install SP1 or 2, do a backup.
Install SP3, do a backup. It's fairly quick with nothing but the OS and
then you have a way of returning to any of those states again rather
quickly.
Rebuild JUST the OS:
Then you can install SP1 or 2, whichever you have, get the machine
going, and go right for SP3* before you reload any applications or even
connect to the 'net.
If you must connect to the 'net to do it, the be certain your AV etc.
is ALL installed and updated before you do anything else. Then go for
SP3.
Something I've noticed around here is that a lot of people aren't
Restarting their machines between steps. They'll install SP2 and then
SP3 for instance without having done a restart in between. Twice I've
gone to their homes and cleaned up the machines, then made sure I did
plenty of Restarts and in those two cases the install succeeded.
* Also, much as I hate booting XP, I do THREE Restarts in a row so it
can sort out its registry order and get everything into shape. By the
3rd Restart I'm almost always back to the original length of time the
boot originally took. Then for good measure I do a Cold Boot (boot from
a powered-down/up state) . My first SP3 install a few months ago
failed. This time, I did the Restarts described and it worked. Might
be coincidence, but ... my feeling is not, since 3 times in a row it's
worked for me. Going to do my laptop tonite; it also failed to install
SP3 a few months ago. I'm hopeful.
Make SP installs the FIRST thing you do after a bootup. Always
REstart before the install.
Regards,
Twayne
