The official XP SP3 thread

[sunnybacon]

Hi.
What does everyone think about SP3?
I've recently upgraded my XP laptop to it, and haven't noticed any difference.
Post any SP3-related crap here, and anything remotely to do with SP3.
Thanks! :)

[EndlessWaves]

I'm on SP4


windows 2000 FTW! ;)

[Singh400]

Well I've slipstreamed it, so I just gotta backup all my **** and reformat and re-install. Can't see why they should be any major improvements, it's just a service pack.

[sunnybacon]

I'm on SP4


windows 2000 FTW! ;)
***? I'm assuming you mean Windows 2000 :)

[graystreet]

Installed fine on several PCs here. Only problem so far is incompatible with Trend Micro Internet Security ( 2008 ). But there an updated installer on the Trend Micro site to deal with that.

Not really noticed any of the speed increases that some have creamed themselves over, but no real problems either.

[sunnybacon]

I have a notable speed increase on mine.
It used to be extremely slow, what with the amount of programs installed.
Now, it is a bit faster.

[Ned Senior]

I have a compaq pc (fairly old 6 or 7 years) the processor is an AMD Athlon XP 2800... I saw somewhere on a news site that AMD and SP3 do not seem to get on very well with each other!!!

Has anybody hereabouts found this??

Will my PC die a death if I download it??

Is it best to wait awhile until the bugs are sorted do you think??

Cashflow being low dictates that a new pc is out of the question for me if this one dies and I would be lost without it!!!!

Cheers people everywhere
Stolly

[Krakin]

I have a compaq pc (fairly old 6 or 7 years) the processor is an AMD Athlon XP 2800... I saw somewhere on a news site that AMD and SP3 do not seem to get on very well with each other!!!

Has anybody hereabouts found this??

Will my PC die a death if I download it??

Is it best to wait awhile until the bugs are sorted do you think??

Cashflow being low dictates that a new pc is out of the question for me if this one dies and I would be lost without it!!!!

Cheers people everywhere
Stolly

I was pretty nervous updating to it but it turned out fine. I used the standard windows XP update service rather than my usual habit of downloading the redistributable and installing from that so that it's all downloaded in one go.

My cpu is an overclocked AMD 4200x2 and afterwards couldn't detect any noticable difference good or bad testing in 3dmark06, Crysis or anything else which was fine with me.

I wanted it as I was installing the Net framework 3.5 full package redistributable which recommended full system updates before installing it. I was installing net 3.5 so I could install a game mod that needed Net 2.0 to install.

I didn't bother with that game mod in the end but my system is nicely updated for any future needs :thumbsup:

Make sure you have enough diskspace before updating to it as you don't want to run out of space halfway through, that would be catastrophic. Also leave the computer alone even when nothing is happening, it's not exactly quick to install and may look like it's stalled at times, but it hasn't.

You don't have to worry about your computer exploding it's just a software update. Even if it goes really really badly and fails completely you could always reinstall windows assuming you have a windows disk and whatever driver disks your hardware needs but hopefully anthing that drastic won't be needed.

[Ned Senior]

I was pretty nervous updating to it but it turned out fine. I used the standard windows XP update service rather than my usual habit of downloading the redistributable and installing from that so that it's all downloaded in one go.

My cpu is an overclocked AMD 4200x2 and afterwards couldn't detect any noticable difference good or bad testing in 3dmark06, Crysis or anything else which was fine with me.

I wanted it as I was installing the Net framework 3.5 full package redistributable which recommended full system updates before installing it. I was installing net 3.5 so I could install a game mod that needed Net 2.0 to install.

I didn't bother with that game mod in the end but my system is nicely updated for any future needs :thumbsup:

Make sure you have enough diskspace before updating to it as you don't want to run out of space halfway through, that would be catastrophic. Also leave the computer alone even when nothing is happening, it's not exactly quick to install and may look like it's stalled at times, but it hasn't.

You don't have to worry about your computer exploding it's just a software update. Even if it goes really really badly and fails completely you could always reinstall windows assuming you have a windows disk and whatever driver disks your hardware needs but hopefully anthing that drastic won't be needed.

Thanks... will have a bash then!!

*UPDATE* Citizens!!!! There is no radioactive mushroom cloud spreading inland from the Sefton coastline.... the pc did NOT explode!!!

Many Many thanks
Stolly:)

[eddie4130]

I have a compaq pc (fairly old 6 or 7 years) the processor is an AMD Athlon XP 2800... I saw somewhere on a news site that AMD and SP3 do not seem to get on very well with each other!!!

Has anybody hereabouts found this??

Will my PC die a death if I download it??

Is it best to wait awhile until the bugs are sorted do you think??

Cashflow being low dictates that a new pc is out of the question for me if this one dies and I would be lost without it!!!!

Cheers people everywhere
Stolly


My AMD Athlon 3500 pc would not boot after installing SP3 (Something to do with Intel PPMdrivers), make sure you have everything backed up before giving it a go. I had to do a system restore in safe mode.

I run this guys tool and it worked first time. You also need to turn off any anti-virus or pc protection you may have running which is a bit nerve racking

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

[Ned Senior]

My AMD Athlon 3500 pc would not boot after installing SP3 (Something to do with Intel PPMdrivers), make sure you have everything backed up before giving it a go. I had to do a system restore in safe mode.

I run this guys tool and it worked first time. You also need to turn off any anti-virus or pc protection you may have running which is a bit nerve racking

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

Cheers eddie!!!
The only problem I have noticed after updating to SP3 was that my graphics tablet wouldn't mount I think the drivers went astray so had to reload them from a download (NOTE TO SELF "must keep those computer discs in one place and tidy haha!!) apart from that no problem so am thinking that SP3 only messes with newer AMD platforms perhaps?
I aint no expert though so please don't quote me on that

Thanks again

Stolly

[badbob]

Updated worked on two AMD X2's although wanted to do fresh install , so wiped them fresh install and SP 3. One thing I get now is when I switch off the NAS the HTPC halts during browsing folders, like a time out or something. If I reboot or switch the NAS back on it's ok.

[RockySpieler]

Worked fine (so far) on AMD 4400X2 (S939).

Only issue was that I needed to plug in the VGA cable as the SP3 license / disclaimer screen was an unsupported resolution via HDMI on my HDTV.

[badbob]

Apparently people with AMD are having problems, continual reboots after a update. No problems here, although when I switch off the NAS system sort of halts until I switch the NAS back on, or reboot with the NAS off (or on)

[Ned Senior]

A couple of nights ago the old girl restarted twice by itself which was a bit worrying however last night I ran a few things (processes) at the same time for a good few hours and all seemed ok... cannot remember what I was doing when it rebooted itself think I was looking for updates to my virgin pcguard programs (anti virus/spyware etc.)

A couple of times since the update internet explorer (7 I think) has quit unexpectadly when I was on the apple store website and clicked a link to some info on payments

Apart from that all is dandy

[cjb]

Having 'maybe' problems since SP3 on my Q6600.
System had been running fairly well up to this point and I had no qualms about putting on SP3 as it was supposed to be fairly minimal .. I thought.:eek:
Might be coincidence but I have been compiling a video on Pinnacle Studio and suddenly started getting sound breaking up , as if PC couldn't cope with multiple time line sources. ( Quad core and all )
Also the PC seems reluctant to go online using broadband 2MB connection.. frequent failures requiring resets... generally the whole thing seems shot.

tried going back to a past backup, but stupidly put on SP3 and suffered the same problems. Have now uninstalled SP3 but need to experiment to see whats the result.

Anyone else, other than AMD bods ? :god:

[Ned Senior]

I rolled back to SP2 myself a couple of days ago just seemed the right thing... maybe when SP3 is stable I'll update again and give it another go

[pixelpixel]

Running sp3 and have no issues. Also running an AMD system :smashin:

[cjb]

As always there's winners and losers.. heard there are driver conflicts that MS are looking at on Compaq specific AMD PC.
I not got AMD but I am very wary now until I hear more stories about problems across board.:eek:

[badbob]

Having problems shutting down my gaming rig, fine with SP2 slipstream disc.

[cjb]

That's the sort of thing that ruins the day... cos u know there's a problem somewhere !!!
Perhaps we could make this thread more prominent to attract as much feedback as possible.
:god:

[Ned Senior]

As always there's winners and losers.. heard there are driver conflicts that MS are looking at on Compaq specific AMD PC.
I not got AMD but I am very wary now until I hear more stories about problems across board.:eek:

Great if they come up with a green light..
apart from this and twice having to do a factory reset over the past due to removing Norton and adobe software from it the blooming thing has been rock solid
I don't stress it out tho' bit of simple artwork, photo editing and the usual surfing + letter writing stuff
only stream radio no video dl's as I worry about killing it with a bug of some sort! :)

[J0hnEast0n]

My AMD Athlon 3500 pc would not boot after installing SP3 (Something to do with Intel PPMdrivers), make sure you have everything backed up before giving it a go. I had to do a system restore in safe mode.

I run this guys tool and it worked first time. You also need to turn off any anti-virus or pc protection you may have running which is a bit nerve racking

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx


Same here. My computer wont boot, not even in safe mode. Reinstalled xp sp2 from an install disk and it still wont boot. Totally screwed! Going to drop it off at the local compter shop tonight, unless anyone here has any ideas?

P.s i have tried disabling the Intelppm driver via recovery mode.

[cjb]

Oh dear, the problems are beginning to show.
I can't really advise on any AMD PC.. but to state the obvious, did u take a full backup before SP3 or in the recent past.. and did u do a 're-install' restore from your SP2 or a complete system install from scratch.
A simple re-install might have left some residue from SP3 and therefore the same problem remains.

I don't want to teach anyone to suck eggs, but from years of being a PC field engineer, you can't beat a full ghost backup from a separate HDD to solve just such problems.
With the cost of 80GB disks less than a tank of petrol, get another HDD and do a ghost backup once you have your system back and keep it safe somewhere ( ie don't use it).. for future Service Packs :devil:

PS. It rarely is a total disaster if your disk won't boot.. just don't panic and wipe any useful personal docs and data in trying to recover. Partition Magic can recover boot files but it can also erase a partition.. poofff...just like that.. !!!
Get another HDD and build your new system on that, then use that to hopefully look at the original data and copy it off.. then you can re-format and use that as your ghost..

[J0hnEast0n]

I did fully back-up my system, but I cant get into windows to recover it.
I reformatted the drive (not the quick option) when i tried to reinstall xp. When i get my Macbook Pro back from a repair, im going to try formatting the drive on that via bootcamp. If that doesnt work i will try and reinstall xp on a different Hard Drive.

Im going to need to get another xp install key, can i get one from MS since it was there fault i have to reinstall xp?

John

[cjb]

Ok, I see you have a special problem here. Your supplier might be the obvious first call if you need a key.
I gather then that you used windows to back up... and need windows to restore a windows backup. It doesn't help you now but you need a backup program like Acronis or Norton, which act totally independantly from windows and can restore in such a situation as yours from a boot CD.
Incidentally.. ( sorry if this is obvious .. eggs in one basket and all) .. you're not backing up on your only system disk are you ?.. you need a separate backup HDD or even save it to DVD for ALL backups
I'm really sorry I can't suggest anything to help at this time, other than try and find a supplier of a cheap full XP package CD on the web. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Professional-English/dp/B0006G2WUO

It actually may pay dividends to ( ugh) go for Vista now in this situation if you got to pay anyway... but get Acronis would be my next best suggestion once you are restored.
All the best.

One final thought.... and If you haven't already got it ....If you got broadband, do a Google for 'Grabit' then use that and log onto your ISP news server.. there are LOTS of useful items on those servers.. say no more !!

[mowcop]

hi updated to sp3 now windows update does not work.I have tried to restart it in the control panel no good.Anybody else having problems.

[CP-PC]

i updated windows cp sp3 a week or so ago on 2 systems. my amd system (amd Athlon xp-m 2500 overclocked to 2.4Ghz) and also on my celeron 3.2Ghz system...... the only problem i have seen is that youtube did not work. saying jave is not installed when it was. so i downloaded it and installed it and still wont work. the problem some people are having with AMD systems is due to sp3 including a power reducing feature for intel cpu's and it has problems with amd cpu's this feature can be turned off. im about to update sp3 on my dual p2 700Mhz server and see how that goes. internet explorer seems to timeout and tell me im not connected or page cant be found. but if i click back then forward a page it works fine. also f5 (refresh) works to fix it too. i have noticed that games seem to be minimising to desktop alot more after sp3. some games occationaly did this before sp3 but now all games do it quite frequantly now i have sp3

[J0hnEast0n]

Ok, I see you have a special problem here. Your supplier might be the obvious first call if you need a key.
I gather then that you used windows to back up... and need windows to restore a windows backup. It doesn't help you now but you need a backup program like Acronis or Norton, which act totally independantly from windows and can restore in such a situation as yours from a boot CD.
Incidentally.. ( sorry if this is obvious .. eggs in one basket and all) .. you're not backing up on your only system disk are you ?.. you need a separate backup HDD or even save it to DVD for ALL backups
I'm really sorry I can't suggest anything to help at this time, other than try and find a supplier of a cheap full XP package CD on the web. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Professional-English/dp/B0006G2WUO

It actually may pay dividends to ( ugh) go for Vista now in this situation if you got to pay anyway... but get Acronis would be my next best suggestion once you are restored.
All the best.

One final thought.... and If you haven't already got it ....If you got broadband, do a Google for 'Grabit' then use that and log onto your ISP news server.. there are LOTS of useful items on those servers.. say no more !!

I finally got it sorted. I had to 'Zero Out' the hard drive with my Macbook Pro.
Just got to make sure I dont install SP3!

Cheers,

John

[Dooobeeee]

I rolled back to SP2 myself a couple of days ago just seemed the right thing... maybe when SP3 is stable I'll update again and give it another go
Considering how long it took to develop SP3, My work computer had problems with SP3, meaning that it was slower and more temperamental. The computer involved was an Athlon FX-62 (2.8 GHz Dual core). The probelms caused much hilarity in the office though, and a couple of hours wasted in removing it and re registering microsoft programs as SP3 thought they were forgeries. Can't wait until our computer upgrades coming in 3 months, Looks like we are getting macs now XD

[micaab]

I've put SP3 on my old Compaq AMD 2400+ tonight and I;ve had no problems.........yet

I'll make sure that all my stuff works over the next couple of days and post here too.

I'll agree with previous posts here about Ghost images to restore from. They're a wondeful thing and I restore my clean image about once every 6-9 months and it keep the PC in top condition. Might be a while before I update my image with SP3 though.

[CP-PC]

ok just updated to sp3 on my dual p3 700mhz server no problems, updated it on a few other systems and the same problems pop up. games minimizing and you tube stop's working. these problems are not related to sp3 (so microsoft says) and they can be fixed (several methods for each problem) but it just seems to be a little suspicious that the same couple of problems seem to pop up on every system i update to sp3. i have managed to fix the youtube error and minimizing error on all systems (eventually) apart from my 3.2ghz celeron system, no matter what i do (tried all the fixes) youtube refuses to work. is anyone still having problems with amd processors??

[p3508]

Been using SP3 for last few weeks now running on a intel setup seems fine not had a problem so far.

[Ned Senior]

Have found since reloading SP3 on my athlon 64 2800 machine that when clicking on links in IE7 sometimes the program closes down pita

[CP-PC]

now you mention it IE7 has been exiting when i try to minimise or restore a IE& window. it doesnt do it with every window just some the websites are not consistant and sometimes the window just disapears for no reason. i never even though of blaming SP3. hmm ill have a look into that

[MarkE19]

is anyone still having problems with amd processors??
I still can't get SP3 to install on my old AMD laptop. It runs through the install untill it starts to install a DLL (can't remember which one off the top of my head) and then just freezes. Powering off and then letting the system do a roll back is the only way out. I might do a clean install and see if that helps.
My Intel desktop has loaded SP3 with no problems.

Mark.

[Ned Senior]

now you mention it IE7 has been exiting when i try to minimise or restore a IE& window. it doesnt do it with every window just some the websites are not consistant and sometimes the window just disapears for no reason. i never even though of blaming SP3. hmm ill have a look into that

Exactly the same prob here and there's no "ooh windows encountered a fatal error and must close!!" message or a send error report message either

[CP-PC]

yeah thats what i get too. it just disapears. no error message or warning the window just vanishes. so far i have not been able to find a fix. i have installed all the updates that microsoft has to date but still no help :( is anyone else getting this problem? there does not seem to be any consistancy that i can see either

[ef_wolf359]

i put a slipstreamed sp3 onto an asus home build and no matter what sound driver from realtek i used i couldn't get any sound. i reverted to a sp2 install it worked first time.