XP SP3 Troubleshooters

Sorry to see you have such problems Steve. 

 

Sounds to me lke you need to wipe your hard drive and do a complete reformat and reinstall of Windows.  You must have some sort of undetected virus, worm, etc.  Most everyone is able to update OK after fixing a few problems.  Others have had to do the unwanted I mentioned.

 

Sorry cowboy.  :smileysad:

Why install SP3 at all until all the bugs are fixed? What does the upgrade offer that makes it worth the risk? Please tell me as I don't the first desire to upgrade.

 

Am I missing something? 

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@lrisner wrote:

Why install SP3 at all until all the bugs are fixed? What does the upgrade offer that makes it worth the risk? Please tell me as I don't the first desire to upgrade.

 

Am I missing something? 

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No problems with SP3 unless you have some system problems.  Before you install SP3 clean your system.  Be sure there are no viruses, bots, etc. hidding.  Update and run a virus scan.   Install the latest BIOS for your system.  Install the latedt hardware drivers.  Preform Windows update and install all security updates BEFORE installing SP3.  Download the Image version of SP3 as it contains all the changes and file for SP3.  Do not let Windows Update install SP3.  Install SP3 from the CD you create from the image file:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&displaylang=en 

 

 The following post is a good summary of links for SP3 from Joe53:

 

"Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

 

SP3 Installation Guide
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx

 

IE Browser Versions and Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

 

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

 

The Address toolbar no longer appears on the taskbar after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951448

 

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for Windows XP ServicePack 3 (until April 14/09)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

 

Troubleshooting error codes/messages
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/  (bottom of page)

 

XP SP3: Problems? How To Uninstall Service Pack 3
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33246

 

I realise some of these links were previously posted, but thought this collection might be of assistance. Feel free to add any other useful SP3 links."

 

 

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@lrisner wrote:

Why install SP3 at all until all the bugs are fixed? What does the upgrade offer that makes it worth the risk? Please tell me as I don't the first desire to upgrade.

 

Am I missing something? 

---

Irisner:

 

There is no compelling urgency to upgrade to sp3 at this time, asuming you are up-to-date with all crtical patches in sp2. Sooner or later, however, my understanding is that MS will require that sp3 be installed to continue receiving patches and updates for XP.

Hi wtb,

     There is also an SP3 on CD available on Mircosoft, including shipping at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx 

 

To fix corrupt files created by SP3 install and Anti-Virus. Here is a little about a Norton's regitsry fix tool. See Note*below

 

Symantec have added a web page:

"FAQ: Upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 3 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 with your Norton 2008 product installed"

http://solutions.symantec.com/sdccommon/asp/symcu_defcontent_view.asp?ssfromlink=true&sprt_cid=b32555cd-1b26-4041-abac-882faf8d365f&docid=20080530144453EN

 

The tool is still available for download directly at:

ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/tutorials/SymRegFix.exe

 

If you just launch this tool normally (e.g. by double-clicking on its icon after download) then the tool will only clean up known Symantec/Norton areas of the Windows Registry. 

 

Note* 

 However, if you launch the tool from a Command Prompt window and add the parameter /override then the tool will clean up all of the "CurrentControlSet" area of the Registry, including areas relevant to other anti-malware vendors.  For instance, if the Command Prompt window is open with the current directory being the one in which SymRegFix was downlaoded into, then just type:

 

symregfix  /override

 

So it appears that this tool can be used as a general clean-up tool after misoperation of the fixccs.exe component of SP3, regardless of which anti-malware product provoked fixccs.exe into producing all the garbage registry entries.

Definitley worth knowing since the begining of SP3 (aka System Project 3 )

 

Hope this help us to Rock On !!!

Hi wtb,

     There is also an SP3 on CD available for about $10.00 including shipping at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx 

 

Here is a little about a Norton's regitsry fix tool. See Note*below

 

Symantec have added a web page:

"FAQ: Upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 3 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 with your Norton 2008 product installed"

http://solutions.symantec.com/sdccommon/asp/symcu_defcontent_view.asp?ssfromlink=true&sprt_cid=b32555cd-1b26-4041-abac-882faf8d365f&docid=20080530144453EN

 

The tool is still available for download directly at:

ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/tutorials/SymRegFix.exe

 

If you just launch this tool normally (e.g. by double-clicking on its icon after download) then the tool will only clean up known Symantec/Norton areas of the Windows Registry. 

 

Note* 

 However, if you launch the tool from a Command Prompt window and add the parameter /override then the tool will clean up all of the "CurrentControlSet" area of the Registry, including areas relevant to other anti-malware vendors.  For instance, if the Command Prompt window is open with the current directory being the one in which SymRegFix was downlaoded into, then just type:

 

symregfix  /override

 

So it appears that this tool can be used as a general clean-up tool after misoperation of the fixccs.exe component of SP3, regardless of which anti-malware product provoked fixccs.exe into producing all the garbage registry entries.

Definitley worth knowing since the begining of SP3 (aka System Project 3 )

 

Hope this help us to Rock On !!!

I have installed XP SP3 on Dell Latitude D520 while it was on the Docking Station. Everything went OK

But now if i want to use it without docking station, it gives me a problem with my Dell Optical USB Mouse.

If I boot with the USB Mouse connected it keeps on rebooting whenever it starts loading window.

If I boot without mouse and the try to insert my mouse on USB port, It gives Blue Scree for few seconds and then starting rebooting continuously.

I tried another generic Optical USB Mouse it gave the same problem

I have not tried other USB Devices.

 

I have no proble if I use USB Mouse and Keybord through my Docking Station

And I have no problem using it without the mouse, but I hate using touchpad!

 

Can you help please?

abdmbamba,  try docking the computer and then deleting the "undocked" hardware profile.  Once that is done, shut down the computer, undock, and power back up.  Windows should automatically build a new undocked profile based on the (SP3) docked one, and fix the problem.

 

To get to the hardware profiles: Control Panel > System > Hardware tab > Hardware Profiles button.  You can't delete the currently in use profile, but all the rest (if there are more than two) should probably be removed.

 

Errors like this are why it is always recommended to do OS updates or installations off the dock, and then dock once the update is completed.  Even then, however, you may run into this kind of problem and have to rebuild a hardware profile.

Thank you for the Tips for installing WinXP SP3.

I've been googling all night and finally ended up here and exhausted.  Is there a solution getting into safe mode?  I've been having troubles with my Dell XPS 400 for a while and haven't had an update of anything microsoft for at least a year.  So I said yeah sure, install SP3.  Now I get the BSOD and the only way I can boot is by unplugging all USB ports.  The problem is, the XPS400 ONLY accepts USB for keyboard/mouse.  I get the BSOD every time I try to start in any mode, tried them all. 

 

So how do I get into safe mode to remove this SP3 without a keyboard or mouse?

Fixed. If you have to unplug all USB devices in order to get loggen into windows, and only have a usb mouse/keyboard, follow the first 8, then do a system restore in safe mode.

 

1. Insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive, and then restart your computer. When you receive the following message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD: Note The computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive, see the documentation that was included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer. You can also use a bootable floppy disk to start Windows XP. For more information, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 2. When you receive the Welcome to Setup message, press R to start the Recovery Console.

Note Multiple options will appear on the screen. 3. Select the correct Windows XP installation.

Note You must select a number before you press ENTER, or the computer will restart. Typically, only the 1: C:\Windows selection is available. 4. If you are prompted to type an administrator password, do so. If you do not know the administrator password, press ENTER. (Typically, the password is blank.)

Note You cannot continue if you do not have the administrator password. 5. At the command prompt, type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst, and then press ENTER. 6. At the command prompt, type batch spuninst.txt, and then press ENTER.

Note The Spuninstal.txt file appears. As the file scrolls down, you will see errors and the files that are being copied. This is typical behavior. 7. After Windows XP SP3 is removed, type exit, and then press ENTER. 8.

Restart the computer in safe mode. To do this, press F8 when the computer restarts

 

Link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249/e

hey, don't know if anyone's had this problem with sp3, but ever since i installed it, my computer will no longer boot up.  im running Xp and i can get it to boot up by running it on the last good configuration, or in safe mode, but when i shut it back down and turn it on later, the problem happens again. system restore won't let me restore to a point before i installed it, and add/remove programs doesn't seem to offer a way to remove it. is there any way to remove or fix this thing? if anyone has any ideas, i would very much appreciate it.  i have no idea what to do from here.

I'm having the same problem. After installing SP3 and restarting my inspiron 9300 it goes into a continuous boot loop. The error is "Stop C0000218 Registry File Failure". I have tried booting in safe and all other options with no luck. My system did not ship with a boot cd, and that is the only way to get into the control panel to delete SP3, according to microsoft. I have been asking Dell for a boot CD for over a year now, and am in a continuos loop with them too. They keep telling me it will ship in 3-5 business days, then a month later the apologise and tell me it will be in 3-5 business days, lol.

 

Do not install SP3 if you do not need to. Do not let microsoft automatically check for updates, and definately dont let them be installed automatically. Do not expect support from microsoft or dell, period.

 

Oops. I wanted to reply to t7400 and got distracted by my rant. T7400, this is what I got from Microsoft, maybe it will help:You can also try following Method four from this link :http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

This may be of some help too:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949388