Happy Anniversary XP SP3
It’s been a full 6 months since the release of Windows XP SP3. The unsuspecting public downloaded it faster than Tom Cruise jumps on Oprah’s couch. It wasn’t long before 25% of us found we had grabbed a ticking time bomb. Endless reboots, blue screens, data loss and reinstalls were the wails coming from every help forum on the World Wide Web. In some cases Joe The Plumber didn’t even know the grenade was coming. It was tossed in the middle of the night by Microsoft’s Automatic Update service. You don’t need to imagine the problems this created because you lived it.
Fast forward to today and a rational person would assume the problems are fixed by now. Surely Microsoft has defused this mess without requiring users to search the web for system specific patches and home grown remedies, but such is NOT the case. While Microsoft may prevent your AMD system from downloading the update, the service pack will still cause the same problems if installed manually.
Not much has changed!
If you download and install SP 3 on your HP AMD machine without visiting HP for the patch, you will experience all the problems that existed in May of 2008.
Another problem specific to AMD boards plagued the Asus A8N 32 SLI motherboard. If you download and install SP3 on your Asus A8N 32 SLI motherboard you will experience the same problems that existed in May of 2008. Absolutely nothing has taken place to address this problem. Asus has ignored the situation completely. You can try manipulating some sort of USB device but the results are varied and not really a fix. Thanks for nothing Asus.
If you have both of the above, you will have both problems as they are separate problems.
If you download and install SP3 and have one of the many wireless cards that were experiencing problems in May, you will have the same problems now. You must visit the appropriate site and check for updates to the drivers or a patch specific to the problem. It’s a good idea to check with your hardware site and ask if the drivers address the SP3 problems. I wouldn’t just assume that new drivers address the SP3 problem.
Many people have asked recently if we recommend the installation of SP3. I’m sad to say we cannot give a blanket recommendation to install Windows XP SP3. What we can do is offer the following to everyone who has not installed this update. Following the steps below should help prevent any explosions. Keep in mind that people are still having problems with this service pack.
Before Installing SP3
1. Identify your system: create an account and run PC Pitstop OverDrive to identify your motherboard and processor. If you have an HP AMD machine or you are using an Asus motherboard, you will then be aware of the situation and be able to apply available patches.
2. Ready your system: correct any problems found by OverDrive before installing SP3. It’s best to apply to a clean and properly configured machine.
3. Identify any antimalware programs: turn off, or better yet, remove any and all antimalware software that is on your system. This includes but is not limited to Norton, McAfee, TrendMicro, or any other preventative or detection packages. You should see these listed in the OverDrive Results /Software/Installed Software
4. Apply the correct patches: if you have an AMD HP machine be sure to apply the patch before going to the Microsoft download site. Be aware that your antivirus or antimalware program may also require a patch.
5. Update your drivers: to avoid problems from your wireless card or any other hardware. I suggest using our DriverAlert Scan. Once identified you can either use the program to download the driver or find and install the latest driver manually. Even our free scan identifies hardware with updated drivers available.
After following the instructions above you can use the links below for further reference.
SP3 LINKS AND INFORMATION |
||
| 1 | SP3 Download | Microsoft SP3 Update |
| 2 | Microsoft | SP3 Support ………Microsoft Help Line 1-866 234 6020 |
| 3 | HP/AMD Based | You must own an HP Pavilion, Presario or Media Center with Windows XP and an AMD processor. You must install this update prior to applying Windows XP SP3 update. HP Help and Support |
| 4 | A8N32-SLI Motherboard | If your system has this Asus motherboard, insert a USB flash drive |
| 5 | Wireless card causes blue screen | Check your hardware with PC Pitstop DriverAlert |
| 6 | System Uses antivirus or antimalware | Turn off or better yet uninstall your protection software. Microsoft and most software programs have issued patches correcting previous problems. |
| 7 | No boot after installing SP3 | Even if your system won’t boot you can use Recovery Console. You will need your XP cd. Scroll to Method 4. This is not the F2 command. |
| 8 | Microsoft. How to Remove SP3 | Microsoft Help and Support ID 950249 rev. 4.0 dated 5/24, 2008 |
This Microsoft Help Thread is mostly abandoned leaving you to fend for yourself. There are 536 replies stretching over 36 pages. The Thread started in April and is still receiving reports of endless reboots as well as other problems all the way through Sept. There is no reason to assume you will have a problem free installation.
We know that many have installed this update to many systems without problems. Infact, 75% of you experienced no problems at all. We also know that a big minority had some big probelms.
Be careful and look before you leap!
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i installed sp3 on all my computers back in may and june, most of my computers are Asus boards. i have even put sp3 on a few hp systems with Asus boards and have yet to have any problems at all.
Installed SP3 two weeks ago. AMD 3200+ processor and Asus K8SVE motherboard. No problems – really can’t tell any difference in appearance or performance. But, system was clean and all Microsoft updates before installing with Norton turned off
I realize this is a bit late. I downloaded SP3 and had absolutely no problem. I have an AMD machine using a MSI motherboard. Didn’t shut down anything. And it’s still working
Shelly. Next time you manually do Windows Update, you can check a box next to the SP3 update (or any other update for that matter)to “Hide this update in the future”. Then you wont have to look at it
Installed SP3 on my Compaq Presario 061 with Kapersky 7.0 internet security in background 6months later and still everything running sweet, if my PC could speak for itself it would say “don’t know what the fuss is all about”.
I have a Dell Dimension 3000, a Compaq EVO D310, a Compaq NC600 laptop and even an old Compaq Presario 5000US – all with Sp3 installed and running without a hickup. I also run Windows Live OneCare on all of them, doing auto-backup, auto-update, etc., and so far none of the problems other users have reported with that software either. The Compaq Presario C500 running Vista is another story – what a load of c*#p that OS is.
I have a Dell Dimension Pentium. The Automatic Update Downloaded the SP3 but it will NOT Install and from what I read now on your site that may be a Blessing. However the Update Icon (the yellow Shield) is sitting there waiting for me to install again. How do I get the SP3 Downloaded File OFF my PC now? If I don’t want it What do I have to do to get it off the computer altogether? I will take the advice to ask for Notification before any other Update Downloads.
I think XP Sp3 was a plan by Microsoft to de-stabilize all the smooth running Xp machines so they would switch to the slow selling Vista.
I installed two(2) Sp3 beta’s on my machine and they worked fine, my machine was faster and it cleared up several shut-down problems. When the final release came out (v.5512)I did a fresh install of windows with Sp3 and all H**l broke loose two weeks later. I had to Format my hard drive and re-install Windows XP with Sp2, after a month of smooth sailing, I re-installed beta Sp3 (v3264) and it has been a dream, fast,smooth, stable and error free, since July.
Subsystem Description Specification
System OS Windows XP Home SP3
System OS Install Date 8/16/2008 3:14:59 PM
Main Board Make ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Main Board Model A8N-SLI DELUXE
Main Board Version 1.XX
Main Board BIOS Phoenix Technologies, LTD Phoenix – AwardBIOS v6.00PG Nvidia – 42302e31 20051201
Processor Description AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4600
Number of Processors 2
Looks like I have the dreaded ASUS A8N/SP3 combo…but mine is purring like a kitten.
Failed to mention it is HP’s fault for the problems. They didn’t correctly install the OEM version of XP on their machines.
As for the anti-virus issues if I remember right it, the Service Pack Install specifically states to disable your anti-virus before installing SP3.
Hummmm …runs smooth as silk for me..never had a single issue .. maybe thats because I have a PC that’s never been messed up..Oh well
P.S My system is AMD Quad Core, Gigayte Motherboard
What I said is truefull and accurate, So Help Me God !!!!
I AM an Ordained Christian Metaphysical Minister and have been since the mid 1980′s. I taught private group classes for over seven years, after seven years of training from four (4) different Ordained Ministers. I also did “public work” in several Metaphysical/Spiritualist Churuhes. I also did private ministeral counseling, readings, house clearings of negative spirits and entities, and freely shared my aquired knowledge froms allsources, including my own spiritual insites. I did all this while doing a full time job teaching all of the natural sciences in the public schools wher I was periodiically assigned. Rev. Dennis A. Dort
I have 4 computers w/sp3 installed & running fine one of them has a AMD chip w/no blue screen yet !!! good luck to you hp & asus oweners I owen gateway & compaq
I noticed that SP3 had at least 2 versions, with dates specified. I run an AMD 1400 KB/sec processor with an independant custom built computer with an MSI Bios and mother board. Tried to downoad each version of SP3, but each version changed my computer so much, that I could not stand the differences, so removed both versions, and selectively blocked SP3 from auto downlod/install. I will avoid SP3 at all cost. After uninstall, there were a few auto updates that caused no problems. I run nearly all PC Pitstop programs. They work great ! Dennis, in Florids, Saint petersburg, to be specific.
We all must SURELY be aware by now that money and the capitilist attitude of those making it all, puts the consumer far from first. If your not aware of this, be aware now, for your own sake. They release software that “sort of works” knowing that decent people (hackers, not crackers) will repair and provide for free the fixes required to make the capitalists software do what it is suppoded to do. Their attitude is all about maximising the ammount of almighty dollars they can squeeze out of the unsuspecting consumer. They do this by releasing software that is full of faults because they know they make more profit by allowing others to fix their shortcomings for free, rather than paying their own people to do it right in the first place. The best protection you can give yourself from these money hungry giants, and yes, you can give this protection to yourself, is to not allow half to 3/4 finished programs full access to your operating system etc. I know most people these days seem to be allergic to the idea of doing something for themselves manually (and yes, you are right, you shouldnt have to. But that doesnt change the fact that you still DO need to), and the simplist way to provide yourself this protection is this…..
1. DISABLE automatic updates! Go to control panel and click the windows update link yourself, do this 1 or 2 times a week. Make your own decision on what you will install on YOUR system, for yourself. It takes only a few precious minutes
2. And you can apply this to everything in your life, not JUST your PC’s….If it aint broke, don’t fix it!
Oh, and heres another, a bit of a pain, but less of a pain than if you ignore it…
3. BACKUPS! BACKUPS! BACKUPS! Can be time consuming, but thats all, just time consuming. Its free, unlike data recovery because you trusted the capitalist. Protect yourself and realise that pretty much only YOU care about YOU. One exception I have found to this last rule is PC Pitstop and their affiliates. They provide a wealth of helpful info AND free scans etc that realy do seem directed at helping the lowly consumer, to not alot of financial benefit to themselves (Good On them!)
If this helps just one PC user out there…well, thats a pretty lousy percentage, lol, but hey, he/she will be happy, like we all deserve to be. Good luck all
I had auto update on and started the install before going to bed not knowing all these issues were happening with SP3. I have a Compaq Presario with an AMD chip. My wife was the next one to use the computer and is not sure what happened, but did say something about Recovery running. This would be the Compaq recovery program that came with the computer. I lost all three users I had created, one for me and one for my wife and step son. All were gone after SP3 did its thing and recovery did there things. Not able to run programs that are still on the computer but I am able to access pics etc through My Computer. Still the only option I seem to be given is reformatting and starting again.
have 2 shuttle xpc with AMD 3700 processors and with windows XP home ,auto downloads on ,it downloaded SP 3 and absolutely no problem at all ,runs better than ever.also same thing on 2 everex laptops. i use no pay security programs in my computers ,, all free ones only. for virus ,spyware ,ect . could this be the reason? ,for no trouble.? but i keep my computers cleaned out and reg upkeep maint. done .
I’am a security and system maintence ,computer support technician, have 2 dell dimensio 2400 computers, 1 hp compaq D530,
1 e machines , 1 gateway ,and installed SP3 to all of them,
no problems reported about that.
Repairing and maintainig computers,and reinstalling windows xp pro an all that came to service,installing sp3 ,no problems on any,an amd based computer serviced and installing sp3,no problems.
Think that have to know what to do when a problem came.
Every one must to use the It resources,the information technology help a lot so use it.
I have a older HP (2004)so I turned off the auto-update and chose “notify,but do not install.” I really didn’t feel comfortable with “custom installation” but I did want to be notified about updates that were concidered to be important. I did not want to take the chance with SP3 download,but MicroSoft stop sending all security updates, and the only thing under the update notification “pop-up” was the sp3 download, nothing else! So I went to MS web page to search for updates, ran a check to see what updates were available, and the only update listed was “SP3″!!!
I gave up and downloaded sp3, It took over 1hr to download, including all the security updates that was being witheld,(18 total)even the security patch that MS felt was important enough to release out of cycle, and so far there’s been no major issues, The lesson here is choose “custom install or auto install” There is NO middle ground with “Notify me”!!!
Glen
Microsoft just keeps pushing people to try Linux. Vista was a bomb. Now XP SP 3 is a bomb. Bomb, bomb, bomb Microsoft.
I’m one of the millions who got burned by SP3 when it came out in the merry month of May. I had to do a complete reinstall. (XP Home SP2) Based on my own experience, and that of others, I would not touch SP3 with a ten foot pole. I’m running a dual hard drive generic with a dual core AMD CPU with Linux Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) on the second HD.
I’m just beginning to find my way about in Ubuntu and it’s truly a revelation. Consider these facts: Linux never needs to be defragged. Requires no anti-virus software or security patches,nothing at all except a firewall. I’ve been surfing the net for about six months and have not encountered a single problem.
Linux is STABLE and responsive. No blue screen of death. Never. Ever. And there is software galore that is equivalent to anything you can run on WINDOZE. There is even a program called Wine that will adapt some Windows programs to Linux.
And get this:my operating system CD cost just ONE DOLLAR AND NINETY FIVE CENTS…from osdisc.com
So if you want to give the Renton MONOPOLISTS a good kick in the guts make the switch. If they lose a few million captive customers they’ll take notice. Believe me.
Thanks for the info… I do have an HP machine with AMD processor. I had no idea there would be any “glitch” with installing the servicepack 3 – until I tried it! Then I went on a search to find out WHAT was happening? Thank you for this information and making the patch so available. I will try it after writing this little note of thanks! AND let you know later how it all worked! Thanks again for putting it all together for me.