[texasjoe]

I need advice, please. In short, I have a very slow boot because SP3 wants to be installed. When I try, it takes about 30 minutes before it gives me a failed message. Then we go through another delay as it removes what it had tried to install. Then I have to Re-boot. Now I just ignore the notice that SP3 is waiting to be installed.

I know I need SP3 but after trying everything on Microsoft's pages nothing seems to enable the SP3 to fully install. Worse I can't seem to get rid of the annoying package that cause such a long delay at every bootup. I am running XP Pro and this is the only time I have ever had loading difficulties.

[snorg]

Hi Joe


Download SP3 Here, use it to install SP3.

[rgreen4]

If you have updates set to notify you when updates are available, it will not try to download or update SP3. It will simply place a little yellow shield in your tray that when you mouse over tell you that updates are available. Then if you click on it, it will list all updates that are available so you can pick and choose which ones to install. I have a machine with XP Pro in which I have that set up that way and have not installed SP3. The little yellow shield is just always there.

How you you have your upgrade notifications set?

There is no other package that I am aware of or any reason to slow down your booting.

[texasjoe]

Thanks but this did not work. SP3 attempts to install but after about 30 minutes I get a message "ACCESS IS DENIED" followed by "SERVICE PACK 3 INSTALLATION DID NOT COMPLETE. SELECTOK TO UNDO THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE". Then there is another 30 minute wiat while it removes the portion that had been installed and the PC has to be re-booted.

[texasjoe]

Updates are supposed to automatic and you are correct , the little yellow shield is omnipresent with the suggestion that SP3 is ready for installation. It just seems that this is the one ting bogging down my PC at bootup. Thanks for the reply.

[snorg]

Try the SP3 install in safe mode.

[Flashorn]

Hey texas !!



Welcome to PCWorld Community !



OK, if you don't want to be bothered by this update just click on the

Yellow Shield and when it comes up , you will see a gray box . Now

choose the Advanced options and check mark it . This will let you see the

updates that are available. On the SP3 update, Right Click on the update

and Choose the "Hide this Update" and close the box . This should take

care of that update.



You should also have the Automatic Upfate set as rgreen4 has suggested.

GO TO > Start > Control Panel > Security Center > Expand "Antivirus Protection"

Click on "Automatic Update" . A screen will appear. On that screen you will

Check Mark "Notify when updates are available for my computer" Click on the

APPLY at the bottom of the screen and then on the OK and your done.



This should help your Boot Up time as the updates are not going to be downloaded

unless you agree to have them downloaded to your hard drive.



FLASHORN.

[mcbarker]

Are you using any Symantec security program, and/or does the affected system have an AMD CPU?

If Using Symantec (Norton), then do as Snorg suggests, and install in Safe mode. Make sure that Norton is disabled. If the system has an AMD CPU, there's an SP3 patch available which you can Google for.

There's also an ISO file version of SP3 available for download, which can be burned to a CD, and installed from there. You can download it from HERE

[texasjoe]

Thanks - -tried it but have the same result. SP3 attempts to install but after about 30 minutes I get a
message "ACCESS IS DENIED" followed by "SERVICE PACK 3 INSTALLATION DID
NOT COMPLETE. SELECTOK TO UNDO THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE". Then
there is another 30 minute wiat while it removes the portion that had
been installed and the PC has to be re-booted.

[texasjoe]

Thanks - I tried it but but it doesn't work.

[texasjoe]

Tried SAFE MODE, SYMANTIC NORTON OFF but same result. SP3 attempts to install but after about 30 minutes I get a
message "ACCESS IS DENIED" followed by "SERVICE PACK 3 INSTALLATION DID
NOT COMPLETE. SELECTOK TO UNDO THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE". Then
there is another 30 minute wiat while it removes the portion that had
been installed and the PC has to be re-booted.

[mcbarker]

Did you try downloading the SP3 update executible to your hard drive from the MS website, and installing from your computer? A lot of people had problems with this update using the MS Update site.

[texasjoe]

Thanks for the advice, however I have downlowaded the update to my hard drive but the same thing happens. I am resigned to always having the yellow shield in the bottom tray.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :



This appears the time you should be asking the experienced, trained, certified, Volunteer

"Microsoft Most Valuable Professional(s)" on the Support Forums at aumha.net .

I do know it is recommended that some "preliminary" things be done PRIOR to

upGRADING an Operating System, such as running reliable antispyware/antitrojan

programs like the FREE Ver of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and "SUPERAntiSpyware"

and checking the manufacturer of your computer to see IF there are any updated

drivers available and setting a "System Restore" point in case the "installation" is

unsuccessful .

[texasjoe]

Thanks. I had never heard of this aumha site before but will give it a try. FYI, all of the other things you suggested have were done and already considered.

[bloodboughtme]

Good day Texas! I know that it seems rather simplistic, but have you checked to see that you have the hard drive space to install the update? If you go to the Microsoft website and go to where you can download the XP Service Pack 3, it will give you the specs including the space required for the update.

[texasjoe]

Dear Blood..., Good thought so I checked. SP3 requires 900 MB and I have 23 GB available. This is not the problem but thanks for thinking of this, - Texas

[mphenterprises]

bloodboughtme said:

...have you checked to see that you have the hard drive space to install the update?

>




Hi Bloodboughtme and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D



That was a very good thought. However, Service Pack 3 would not become available via Windows Update if all requirements of Service Pack 3 were met. That would include the available hard drive space.

[mphenterprises]

texasjoe said:

"ACCESS IS DENIED" followed by "SERVICE PACK 3 INSTALLATION DID NOT COMPLETE. SELECTOK TO UNDO THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE"

Hi TexasJoe. It appears that you have tried every possible suggestion that this Community is providing to you. I do have one question that may be lingering in the minds of others: Is your computer running a validated copy of Windows XP? If not, the error message you receive would be indicative of that. Short of that, I would believe this may be some type of registry issue.

I would also like to add that I have never seen a malicious file block access to a Service Pack. This is not to say it is not possible. I just have never experienced it.

[ARock84]

mphenterprises said:

Quote

I would also like to add that I have never seen a malicious file block access to a Service Pack. This is not to say it is not possible. I just have never experienced it.

No I have never seen a code to stop a manual download of an update, but they do turn off automatic updates and firewalls that allow more harmful material to flow in. This may have been the case and now it will not allow you to update to SP3 since there may be a reg. issue stopping the update.