[jyohnka]

I installed SP3 but found that my computer would not boot properly. I had to go into safe mode and do a system restore. I'm not exactly rushing out to try it again but I am interested in other people's experiences with SP3. Does it work properly? Do others have the same issues I did?

[Tech4me]

Hi Jyohnka. Here is The release note that might fix your problem.......If you still can't resolve ..Then we can go from there....


(BTW....You don't miss anything much from SP3 though.)

Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3 (BEFORE INSTALL SP3)

download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm

[mphenterprises]

Hi JYohnka and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D




First, I have changed your Discussion title to give a clearer indication of your question. For future reference, please be as descriptive as possible in both the heading of your Discussion as well as the post itself.

Now, you really did not indicate what problems you had with the installation. The general statement of "my computer would not boot properly" really does not help anyone. However, I did have some issues when I attempted to install SP3:

- Windows Update pushed the Service Pack through to me via Automatic Update. I clicked on the yellow shield to start the download but the shield immediately disappeared. I had a same issue when installing another update last year. I immediately disabled the Automatic Update and then enabled it. This time, when the shield came up, I elected not to get the update through Automatic Update. Instead, I downloaded directly from Microsoft. The download worked well and the Service Pack installed with no problem.

- I restarted the computer and during the initial boot, I noticed that two applications, StyleXP and Zone Alarm Pro, locked up the system. StyleXP indicated that it was not compatible with SP3 and Zone Alarm Pro seemed to lock up when it prompted me for any security requests. The only way for me to do anything was to disable both applications. Once I did that, I did a System Restore and all is well again.

My situation seems straightforward, check both Zone Alarm's and StyleXP's websites to make sure I have the latest versions of the applications I use. Other than that, I will attempt again in a few days (probably this weekend) after I see the feedback from this and other sources.

[coastie65]

Hi All, I am personally taking a wait and see approach on that thing. I have auto update disabled so it can't be slipped in, in fact I just noticed the little yellow shield in my tray so I guess I'll see what that is all about. Just checked, and guess what, SERVICE PACK 3. :^0 coastie

[mphenterprises]

Hi Coastie. Yeah, I personally do not think there is anything wrong with the Service Pack, per se. I think it boils down to compatibility, just like any other major upgrade. In my case, two applications caused a major hiccup. As soon as I exited both applications, my computer was working like normal. The only reason I did the System Restore was to get the most up to date versions of the applications in question before I attempted the installation again.

As you and I both know, people will instinctively blame this on the Service Pack because, well, their computer was working before the installation so it must be the problem. Seldom do people really step back and try to figure out what may be the underlying problem rather than just point fingers.

[coastie65]

Hi mph, I personally have never had any problems with SP updates in the past. All my security is up tp date, although some of the drivers may behind the curve. I check occassionally, and it seems as if Nvidia updates their stuff on a fairly regular basis for some reason. coastie

[Number3124]

I'm going with your strategy coastie. Especially because I'll have to order a disk to install it.

[coastie65]

Hey number, I did the same thing ( ordered CD) after suffering through a 6 1/2 hr ( I think) download & install with dial up with SP2 on my previous computer. I have just started the download process for SP3, but not before creating a restore point. At least I think I did, as the Shield disappeared after I clicked to download. Oh well. As I said, I am in no hurry for that thing anyway. coastie

[jyohnka]

Let's see if I can explain this any better. I got the "windows did not start properly" black screen. If I chose to try again, it would simply cycle through the same screen over and over. So I went into safe mode and system restore to get back to where I was. When installing SP3, I turned off my running programs - firewall, virus, and everything that I have runnng usually. So I'm back to pre-SP3 and I might just stay there a bit.

[mphenterprises]

Yeah, that seems like an odd situation. Did you get the update from Automatic Update or from a third party? What was the size of your download, if you remember?

[jyohnka]

Automatic update. I don't remember the size, just that it took 20 minutes or so with cable internet access.

[mphenterprises]

Well, please keep us posted when you do decide to try again. After I update StyleXP and Zone Alarm Pro, I will make another attempt; possibly this weekend.

[coastie65]

Hi mph, I clicked on the shield and then to download and the shield disappeared. I went over to the windows update site and for some reason had to reinstall the windows validation tool. I also had a couple of HP updates for my printer so took care of that. I haven't gone back for SP3 as yet, as I said, I guess I'm in no big hurry although I've had no problems with SP updates in the past, with either 95, 2k, or XP. coastie

[jyohnka]

Uninstalling IE7? That seems odd.

Thank you for the info. I use my computer to work from home so I'm contacting company tech support so see if they've experienced any issues yet. Maybe there is a software issue there. So I'm not going to try installing SP3 again today. I would like like to hear from them first.

So, thank you all for your input. We will see what happens.

[coastie65]

Just read those release notes. It does seem a little strange. Oh well. I haven't attempted to upgrade as yet and will probably cool my jets for a bit. I'll let mph be the Guinea pig with this. ]:) coastie

[techie4fun]

jyohnka said:

I installed SP3 but found that my computer would not boot properly. I had to go into safe mode and do a system restore. I'm not exactly rushing out to try it again but I am interested in other people's experiences with SP3. Does it work properly? Do others have the same issues I did?

SP3 installed flawlessly on my computer. No crash, no blue screen, nodda. I was hoping for a better looking boot-screen but everything is the same :P

[Tech4me]

[~21401] , Really.....Me too.....Expecting something like that......I went through 3 updates (SP3) for my family members and on the 4 Th one......now.(2more to go)

So far so good ....No problem at all.........But I still hope after a day or so It will work smoother.(Just like Vista SP1) or better....?

[techie4fun]

I haven't ever had a problem with XP not being smooth. If anything, the smoothness and loading time becomes worse per patch install.

[coastie65]

Hi techie, You're not giving me much incentive to try this thing. :^0 coastie

[jyohnka]

Well, I just tried again, after uninstalling IE7. Same result. System restore back to SP2.