I am having the same issues with my XPS GEN 3 - Tried it two time and both time failed when it got to finishing up - starting processes.  Just hung forever!!  What gives DELL and MS?

Read carefully

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/

WOOO HOOO!!!! 

 

If you have Norton installed you must uninstall it totally for the update to work.  Get the removal tool from the link below and since I have Norton 360 I provided that link as well to reinstall after the SP3 update. 

 

Follow these below steps to do so:

Download Norton Removal Tool to remove the Norton product from your system, from this link:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/norton360.nsf/docid/2007021006395575
Just click on the link
Then go to Step 2 and click on "Download" button.
Then select "Run" in the 2 pop-up windows come.And follow On-Screen instructions.

 

This is for NORTON 360 v2.2 otherwise you will install your own version of Norton. 

To install your product click on this link :
http://spftrl.digitalriver.com/pub/symantec/tbyb/NAM/N360S200.exe
Then select "Run".

No, I do not have any version of Norton installed. I use McAfee Security Center that includes antivirus and firewall.

Is it convenient to temporary disable antivirus during SP3 installation ?.

Good points. Specially linked http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949388/ . I will check. I certainly have KB925877 (RDP MUI) pack installed. About other causes of problem... I have not seen any one. So, I will uninstall KB925877 to see if any improvement.

idd00jea, it might be good to disable all security monitoring during the installation. Make sure it is enabled again after the reboot.

Thanks Bugbatter. I forgot to tell that I have disactived my McAfee antivirus when I tried to install SP3.