SP3 bugs

[Guest twoiron]

I was wondering ,is it ok to install sp3 now?or do we still some issues to

work out.

Thank you

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

On Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:32:01 -0700, twoiron

<twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I was wondering ,is it ok to install sp3 now?or do we still some issues to

> work out.

 

 

Yes, it's OK to install it now, and it was OK to install it before. I

installed it on both of my XP machines as soon as it came out, with no

problems on either one. Thousands, if not millions, of others have

done the same. Yes, there is an occasional person who has a problem,

and although those people are the most vocal--because they are looking

for help with their problems--they have been few and far between.

 

But read here first: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Chet]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

Of great historical significance to all, twoiron

<twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> declared on Thu, 14 Aug

2008 16:32:01 -0700:

> I was wondering ,is it ok to install sp3 now?or do we still

> some issues to work out.

> Thank you

 

In addition to what Ken recommended, also checkout

 

How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353>

 

It was recommended to me by another MVP and I had no problem installing the service pack in both a Home and Pro machine.

 

hth

--

cfnewsDO@NOTmchsi.SPAMcom

"I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid."

- Terry Bradshaw -

[Guest twoiron]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

Thanks guys.I just finished downloading sp3.Everthing went as advertised.

Now can you tell me how to get my address bar back in my tool bar.I read how

to do that sometime back...but I forgot how. Thanks again

 

"Chet" wrote:

> Of great historical significance to all, twoiron

> <twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> declared on Thu, 14 Aug

> 2008 16:32:01 -0700:

>

> > I was wondering ,is it ok to install sp3 now?or do we still

> > some issues to work out.

> > Thank you

>

> In addition to what Ken recommended, also checkout

>

> How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353>

>

> It was recommended to me by another MVP and I had no problem installing the service pack in both a Home and Pro machine.

>

> hth

> --

> cfnewsDO@NOTmchsi.SPAMcom

> "I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid."

> - Terry Bradshaw -

>

[Guest Chet]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

Of great historical significance to all, twoiron

<twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> declared on Thu, 14 Aug

2008 18:36:01 -0700:

> Thanks guys.I just finished downloading sp3.Everthing went as

> advertised. Now can you tell me how to get my address bar

> back in my tool bar.I read how to do that sometime back...but

> I forgot how. Thanks again

>

 

SP3 actually removed the tool bar but from what I've read in several XP groups it can be restored. You might try this one I found from a post in this group in June:

 

Restore the Address Bar in Windows XP SP3:

<http://blog.ryantadams.com/2008/05/08/restore-the-address-bar-in-windows-xp-sp3/>

 

hth

--

cfnewsDO@NOTmchsi.SPAMcom

"I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid."

- Terry Bradshaw -

[Guest Stephen Harris]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> On Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:32:01 -0700, twoiron

> <twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>

>> I was wondering ,is it ok to install sp3 now?or do we still some issues to

>> work out.

>

>

> Yes, it's OK to install it now, and it was OK to install it before. I

> installed it on both of my XP machines as soon as it came out, with no

> problems on either one. Thousands, if not millions, of others have

> done the same. Yes, there is an occasional person who has a problem,

> and although those people are the most vocal--because they are looking

> for help with their problems--they have been few and far between.

>

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=windows+xp+sp3+problem&btnG=Google+Search

 

There are 4,490,000 hits reported by Google for the search terms

Windows xp sp3 problems. So, 'thousands if not millions' have not

had your experience. This computer repair shop reports that about

25% of the problems they fix are SP3 related, less than 2 months ago.

 

http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2008/06/30/windows-xp-sp3-cheat-sheet/

 

"Since it's release on May 7th there have been libraries written about

the woes of XP SP3. In addition to the problems there have been many

reports of installations with no problems. In fact there are three times

as many people who have had no problems what-so-ever. This is as

expected given the 25% failure rate that we've seen at PC Pitstop. But

with a 25% failure rate, this service pack is anything but ordinary.

 

Our two previous articles described the problems and fixes in detail and

gave additional information regarding the causes of the problems. You

can find those articles here and here. Because we’re not quite ready to

sound the all clear, ..."

 

 

I don't think Microsoft would establish a toll free help line for SP3

problems if indeed the problems were minimal and "few and far between".

 

I've installed SP3 on one computer without problems while the other

computer is closer to catastrophic rather than just problematic. I

spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone with a free SP3 Indian help tech. To

his credit, he spoke pretty good English and seemed well-informed.

 

The problem was that the computer often wouldn't boot up, not even to

as far as the bios screen or to the Logo. The computer proceeded to

display a black screen which received no signal. No chance of getting

into bios. I already had the boot sequence set to boot from cd. So

after many tries the computer would boot to 'push any key to boot cd'

and it would load the very first sentence of the XP install disk but

then terminate, so no Recovery Console and no recovery dvds. Rescue

disks get to the first screen of their options, but then crash after

an option is selected like erase drive. No F8 choices work either

though it is quite rare to get that far. 99% sure it is not hardware.

I'm not going into all the effort I put into establishing that. I'm

not quite sure that it isn't an intermittent leaky mobo capicitor.

The other day, on the nth try, it booted all the way to the expected

XP screen, it worked. For about 5 hours, then spontaneously rebooted

and once again no longer would go past a black screen with no signal.

I'm thinking it might be some sort of bios or MBR, firmware corruption.

 

No wonder the tech couldn't fix this. I suspect their is a conflict

with the Nvidia video card drivers. There are thousands of those

cards and ATI cards out there installed in Windows XP computers.

SP3 was delivered on that computer by Automatic Update. That should

not happen unless the SP3 update checked for compatibility prior,

and that such a check was reliable.

 

The lucky people are those who just have annoyances to fix. Some

of the serious problems are fixable. And for most people their

is an option of reformatting the drive and reinstalling XP. But

SP3 has the potential to create a problem even more disastrous.

At least with the Win95 video driver problems, they could be fixed.

The best suggestion I've gotten so far is to discharge the cmos.

I'm not even sure that installing a second drive with XP and

then a clone attempt to the non-functional drive will work.

 

So there are only a paltry few tens of thousands of customers who

suffered from SP3 failure, out of maybe a few million. But this is

a huge disaster even in comparison to SP2 problems. Why should my

video card work with SP2 and not SP3?

 

I don't care much for those Linux zealots whom claim that Windows

users should switch because the installation has become much easier.

Their biased view neglects to mention a year long steep learning curve.

Likewise, on the other end of the spectrum, your dismissal of SP3

problem as few and far between is just as radical of a distortion.

 

The main issue is your lack of critical thinking by using such a

small statistical sample. You could have used Google to determine

objectively, that the SP3 problems were far more widespread.

 

Microsoft said, "‘Windows XP SP3 will not significantly change

customers’ experience with the operating system’. Another thing is

that there is a big difference between a typical Windows user and a

computer professional or MVP, when it comes to following safeguards

and comprehending instructions and directions.

 

So it has no critical enhancements, but some critical problems,

Stephen

[Guest twoiron]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

Thanks Chet.I will try that.In the meantime I found out by pressing the

windows + R on the key board will do the same thing. Thanks again

 

"Chet" wrote:

> Of great historical significance to all, twoiron

> <twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> declared on Thu, 14 Aug

> 2008 18:36:01 -0700:

>

> > Thanks guys.I just finished downloading sp3.Everthing went as

> > advertised. Now can you tell me how to get my address bar

> > back in my tool bar.I read how to do that sometime back...but

> > I forgot how. Thanks again

> >

>

> SP3 actually removed the tool bar but from what I've read in several XP groups it can be restored. You might try this one I found from a post in this group in June:

>

> Restore the Address Bar in Windows XP SP3:

> <http://blog.ryantadams.com/2008/05/08/restore-the-address-bar-in-windows-xp-sp3/>

>

> hth

> --

> cfnewsDO@NOTmchsi.SPAMcom

> "I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid."

> - Terry Bradshaw -

>

[Guest Damian]

Re: SP3 bugs

 

I came here for the very first time with what I thought was a simple

question. I first read about all the items SP3 claimed to fix and decided I

did not need to use it. I had not kept up with the difficulties that appear

to be rather pronounced, to say the least. I simply wanted to know, and still

do want to know how to install one of Microsoft's current security updates

for August that I first decided against but now have thought better of,

namely the Event Update. However, when I go to the update Center, it seems I

am being forced to install SP3 before I can get to install this one update I

have now decided in favor of. Does anyone know how to turn SP3 off so I can

simply get this one update? By the way I very much appreciated your response

Mr. Harris. It seemed objective and transparently honest.

 

"Stephen Harris" wrote:

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> > On Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:32:01 -0700, twoiron

> > <twoiron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> >

> >> I was wondering ,is it ok to install sp3 now?or do we still some issues to

> >> work out.

> >

> >

> > Yes, it's OK to install it now, and it was OK to install it before. I

> > installed it on both of my XP machines as soon as it came out, with no

> > problems on either one. Thousands, if not millions, of others have

> > done the same. Yes, there is an occasional person who has a problem,

> > and although those people are the most vocal--because they are looking

> > for help with their problems--they have been few and far between.

> >

>

> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=windows+xp+sp3+problem&btnG=Google+Search

>

> There are 4,490,000 hits reported by Google for the search terms

> Windows xp sp3 problems. So, 'thousands if not millions' have not

> had your experience. This computer repair shop reports that about

> 25% of the problems they fix are SP3 related, less than 2 months ago.

>

> http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2008/06/30/windows-xp-sp3-cheat-sheet/

>

> "Since it's release on May 7th there have been libraries written about

> the woes of XP SP3. In addition to the problems there have been many

> reports of installations with no problems. In fact there are three times

> as many people who have had no problems what-so-ever. This is as

> expected given the 25% failure rate that we've seen at PC Pitstop. But

> with a 25% failure rate, this service pack is anything but ordinary.

>

> Our two previous articles described the problems and fixes in detail and

> gave additional information regarding the causes of the problems. You

> can find those articles here and here. Because we’re not quite ready to

> sound the all clear, ..."

>

>

> I don't think Microsoft would establish a toll free help line for SP3

> problems if indeed the problems were minimal and "few and far between".

>

> I've installed SP3 on one computer without problems while the other

> computer is closer to catastrophic rather than just problematic. I

> spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone with a free SP3 Indian help tech. To

> his credit, he spoke pretty good English and seemed well-informed.

>

> The problem was that the computer often wouldn't boot up, not even to

> as far as the bios screen or to the Logo. The computer proceeded to

> display a black screen which received no signal. No chance of getting

> into bios. I already had the boot sequence set to boot from cd. So

> after many tries the computer would boot to 'push any key to boot cd'

> and it would load the very first sentence of the XP install disk but

> then terminate, so no Recovery Console and no recovery dvds. Rescue

> disks get to the first screen of their options, but then crash after

> an option is selected like erase drive. No F8 choices work either

> though it is quite rare to get that far. 99% sure it is not hardware.

> I'm not going into all the effort I put into establishing that. I'm

> not quite sure that it isn't an intermittent leaky mobo capicitor.

> The other day, on the nth try, it booted all the way to the expected

> XP screen, it worked. For about 5 hours, then spontaneously rebooted

> and once again no longer would go past a black screen with no signal.

> I'm thinking it might be some sort of bios or MBR, firmware corruption.

>

> No wonder the tech couldn't fix this. I suspect their is a conflict

> with the Nvidia video card drivers. There are thousands of those

> cards and ATI cards out there installed in Windows XP computers.

> SP3 was delivered on that computer by Automatic Update. That should

> not happen unless the SP3 update checked for compatibility prior,

> and that such a check was reliable.

>

> The lucky people are those who just have annoyances to fix. Some

> of the serious problems are fixable. And for most people their

> is an option of reformatting the drive and reinstalling XP. But

> SP3 has the potential to create a problem even more disastrous.

> At least with the Win95 video driver problems, they could be fixed.

> The best suggestion I've gotten so far is to discharge the cmos.

> I'm not even sure that installing a second drive with XP and

> then a clone attempt to the non-functional drive will work.

>

> So there are only a paltry few tens of thousands of customers who

> suffered from SP3 failure, out of maybe a few million. But this is

> a huge disaster even in comparison to SP2 problems. Why should my

> video card work with SP2 and not SP3?

>

> I don't care much for those Linux zealots whom claim that Windows

> users should switch because the installation has become much easier.

> Their biased view neglects to mention a year long steep learning curve.

> Likewise, on the other end of the spectrum, your dismissal of SP3

> problem as few and far between is just as radical of a distortion.

>

> The main issue is your lack of critical thinking by using such a

> small statistical sample. You could have used Google to determine

> objectively, that the SP3 problems were far more widespread.

>

> Microsoft said, "‘Windows XP SP3 will not significantly change

> customers’ experience with the operating system’. Another thing is

> that there is a big difference between a typical Windows user and a

> computer professional or MVP, when it comes to following safeguards

> and comprehending instructions and directions.

>

> So it has no critical enhancements, but some critical problems,

> Stephen

>

>

>

>