Guest Ben Stevenson Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the computer in many cases. I would appreciate some expert advise. TIA
Guest Bruce Hagen Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:e5NKgv0LJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > TIA I would say do it, but follow these precautions. Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3: http://support.microsoft.com:80/kb/950717 WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3 http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm Download Windows XP Service Pack 3 here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for Service Pack 3: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gpr -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express Imperial Beach, CA
Guest M.I.5¾ Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:e5NKgv0LJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > I take it that these "many cases" are the dozen or so problems that have appeared on this newsgroup (and probably others). The millions of people who have installed SP3 haven't bothered to tell us of their success.
Guest Mick Murphy Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 RE: How good is SP3? It is not better; it is not worse. XP with SP3, still runs great. It is only an acculumation of all the updates you have already downloaded; if you update monthly. -- Mad Mike "Ben Stevenson" wrote: > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > TIA > > >
Guest Peter Foldes Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? SP3 for XP or for Office -- Peter Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged. "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:e5NKgv0LJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > TIA > >
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? >It is not better; it is not worse. >XP with SP3, still runs great. >It is only an acculumation of all the updates you have already downloaded; >if you update monthly. This statement is completely false. SP3 contain OVER 1000+ updates which included out of band updates and hotfixes NEVER pushed to Windows Update. Windows Update had a few hundred updates between SP2 and SP3 that were pushed out to users. - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? >My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the >computer in many cases. > >I would appreciate some expert advise. The common misconception is that SP3 is just the updates from Windows Update over the years since SP2 was released. It is that plus hundreds of other updates not released publicly or available only via tech support or via a hotfix. There is a little bit of performance to be gained from SP3 but there are some precautions as was posted by someone earlier. Some new features have been introduced, both documented (NAP borrow from Vista, WiFi brought up to the most current standard as of Fall 2007) and undocumented (RDP 6.1) features. It is worth updating to it. Be wary if you have an AMD based system as you'd need to run a patch to make sure you don't get stuck with a non-booting system as a result. The usual caveats apply, backup what you want to keep. I would recommend downloading the full service pack 3 file instead of doing things via Windows Update. - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest smlunatick Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? On Oct 16, 5:58 am, "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie...@hotmail.com> wrote: > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > TIA SP 3 is good, as with any Microsoft product. It is just that there is a specific "method" to recommend (at least by me) is to deactivate all anti-virus software prior to its install. These can block the update of several "core" files.
Guest Jim Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:e5NKgv0LJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > TIA > And most of the problems are those of the cockpit. At least one major faux pas was caused by an OEM. Jim
Guest Ken Blake, MVP Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:58:47 +0800, "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote: > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. With *any* software or any updates at all, you can always find some people who will report problems and complain about it. That doesn't mean you shouldn't install it. > I would appreciate some expert advise. I have had no problems with it here, on several machines. In the great majority of cases, those people who report problems have done something wrong themselves. Read the following and follow its advice before you install it, and a problem is very unlikely: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 Also: Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3): Installation Guide http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33296 Windows XP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation -http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx Internet Explorer and WinXP SP3 http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=33210 XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827 XP SP3: IMPORTANT SUPPORT INFORMATION http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33244 If you run into problems during or after the installation, these may help: XP SP3: "Fixed" Reboot Loop / Safe Mode Only after Install http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33241 XP SP3 Installation Failure Troubleshooter http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33295 XP SP3: Registry Corruption & Norton SymProtect http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33522 XP SP3: Hotfix - Device Manager and Network Connections http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=34129 XP SP3: FIX -- Svchost.exe Uses 100% CPU Resources http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33303 XP SP3: Problems? How To Uninstall Service Pack 3 http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33246 -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Ken Blake, MVP Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:28:08 -0400, "Peter Foldes" <okf22@hotmail.com> wrote: > SP3 for XP or for Office Although granting the possibility that he means Office rather than Windows XP, it's a very reasonable assumption (and one that I always make) that since he asked in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, he's asking about Windows XP. > "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:e5NKgv0LJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > > computer in many cases. > > > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > > > TIA > > > > -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Sunny Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? "Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in message news:greef4pdpgvug29ua2eifr84o86ujj74ij@4ax.com... > >It is not better; it is not worse. >>XP with SP3, still runs great. >>It is only an acculumation of all the updates you have already >>downloaded; >>if you update monthly. > > This statement is completely false. SP3 contain OVER 1000+ updates > which included out of band updates and hotfixes NEVER pushed to > Windows Update. Windows Update had a few hundred updates between SP2 > and SP3 that were pushed out to users. > > - Thee Chicago Wolf I have not installed SP3, however "hot fixes" listed in my PC include over 100 labelled as SP3. (From Belarc Advisor scan))
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? >I have not installed SP3, however "hot fixes" listed in my PC include over >100 labelled as SP3. >(From Belarc Advisor scan)) Perhaps it's a misnomer on Belarcs part. Hotfixes are normally something a person requests from MS, not what you'd get via Windows Update. - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest Ken Blake, MVP Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:08:42 -0500, Thee Chicago Wolf <.@.> wrote: > >I have not installed SP3, however "hot fixes" listed in my PC include over > >100 labelled as SP3. > >(From Belarc Advisor scan)) > > Perhaps it's a misnomer on Belarcs part. Hotfixes are normally > something a person requests from MS, not what you'd get via Windows > Update. Not true. Many of the updates you get via Windows Update are called hotfixes, and they are installed routinely; no request to Microsoft is required to get them. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Sunny Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? "Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in message news:0qlff4thmlc3gn7esinp800r34mh3e7laq@4ax.com... > >I have not installed SP3, however "hot fixes" listed in my PC include > >over >>100 labelled as SP3. >>(From Belarc Advisor scan)) > > Perhaps it's a misnomer on Belarcs part. Hotfixes are normally > something a person requests from MS, not what you'd get via Windows > Update. > > - Thee Chicago Wolf Not correct.
Guest Ben Stevenson Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? It just came in as SP3 for install which I have not done so far. I would not know if it is for Office or XP. It came thru the normal automatic update route. "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message news:cclef4tmjcdfpi2kdhqrmis4tlgt1c5nmr@4ax.com... > On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:28:08 -0400, "Peter Foldes" <okf22@hotmail.com> > wrote: > >> SP3 for XP or for Office > > > Although granting the possibility that he means Office rather than > Windows XP, it's a very reasonable assumption (and one that I always > make) that since he asked in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, he's > asking about Windows XP. > > > >> "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote in message >> news:e5NKgv0LJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >> > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the >> > computer in many cases. >> > >> > I would appreciate some expert advise. >> > >> > TIA >> > >> > > > -- > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Ben Stevenson Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? I use Avast anti-virus. On right click I do not see any means to deactivate it. Would anyone know? "smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> wrote in message news:850bfbb6-56f2-4df8-94d2-25d8874f8518@k30g2000hse.googlegroups.com... On Oct 16, 5:58 am, "Ben Stevenson" <casiopie...@hotmail.com> wrote: > My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am > afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > computer in many cases. > > I would appreciate some expert advise. > > TIA SP 3 is good, as with any Microsoft product. It is just that there is a specific "method" to recommend (at least by me) is to deactivate all anti-virus software prior to its install. These can block the update of several "core" files.
Guest Ben Stevenson Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? Oh my god! So much to read up and do? Would I be disadvantaged if I don't install it? How do I get the install icon out of my Systems Tray. It keeps reminding me everyday to install. "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message news:ptkef4d95qos3nk090t468nt05dd12brap@4ax.com... > On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:58:47 +0800, "Ben Stevenson" > <casiopie963@hotmail.com> wrote: > >> My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >> afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the >> computer in many cases. > > > > With *any* software or any updates at all, you can always find some > people who will report problems and complain about it. That doesn't > mean you shouldn't install it. > > >> I would appreciate some expert advise. > > > I have had no problems with it here, on several machines. In the great > majority of cases, those people who report problems have done > something wrong themselves. > > Read the following and follow its advice before you install it, and a > problem is very unlikely: > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 > > Also: > > Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3): Installation Guide > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33296 > > Windows XP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful > installation > -http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx > > Internet Explorer and WinXP SP3 > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=33210 > > XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827 > > XP SP3: IMPORTANT SUPPORT INFORMATION > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33244 > > > If you run into problems during or after the installation, these may > help: > > XP SP3: "Fixed" Reboot Loop / Safe Mode Only after Install > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33241 > > XP SP3 Installation Failure Troubleshooter > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33295 > > XP SP3: Registry Corruption & Norton SymProtect > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33522 > > XP SP3: Hotfix - Device Manager and Network Connections > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=34129 > > XP SP3: FIX -- Svchost.exe Uses 100% CPU Resources > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33303 > > XP SP3: Problems? How To Uninstall Service Pack 3 > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33246 > > -- > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? >Not true. Many of the updates you get via Windows Update are called >hotfixes, and they are installed routinely; no request to Microsoft is >required to get them. Traditionally, and per Microsoft's own Technet statement, a hotfix is something you usually obtain from Microsoft, not Windows Update. http://blogs.technet.com/hot/archive/2007/12/27/something-about-hotfix.aspx - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? >Not correct. Traditionally, and per Microsoft's own Technet statement, a hotfix is something you usually obtain from Microsoft, not Windows Update. http://blogs.technet.com/hot/archive/2007/12/27/something-about-hotfix.aspx - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest Sunny Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? "Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in message news:gi7hf45srtigpbb38mkttavb24ogbfm13r@4ax.com... > >Not true. Many of the updates you get via Windows Update are called >>hotfixes, and they are installed routinely; no request to Microsoft is >>required to get them. > > Traditionally, and per Microsoft's own Technet statement, a hotfix is > something you usually obtain from Microsoft, not Windows Update. > http://blogs.technet.com/hot/archive/2007/12/27/something-about-hotfix.aspx > > - Thee Chicago Wolf From your own reference above: "To get a hotfix, you may contact your Microsoft contact or get it from web (Hotfix KB, download center, Windows Update, office Update, Service Packs , etc)."
Guest mdugan Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? Ben Stevenson wrote: >My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the >computer in many cases. > >I would appreciate some expert advise. > >TIA I'm not an expert, But here is my experience with four computers -- DON'T DO IT!!! SP3 is HORRIBLE. In July MS admitted that SP3 was causing the following significant problem: "Device Manager may not show any devices and Network Connections may not show any network connections." http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=953979 Perhaps take advantage of MS's offer of free tech support for SP3 through April 2009 (very secretive offer - I found it through a third-party tech website - can't find it readily through MS support website) http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131 Which they started this summer after admitting that SP3 was destroying computers. Bug the hell out of them! Call them, email them, chat them up. See also http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 Background about my SP3 problems, in case you care.... SP3 has caused both device manager and connection problems on three of my computers plus a different problem on my brand-new fourth computer. These four computers have different antivirus programs on them, and are very different ages (5 years, 3 years, 10 months, and two days old), and one is a laptop. They have very different softwares on them. There is no explanation related to MYSELF or my computers that would explain why all four of them would be corrupted by SP3. Having figured out how to uninstall SP3 on my brand-new machine, I WILL NOT re-install SP3 until I get really solid confirmation that they have fixed its problems. The brand-new machine seems like a pretty good test subject -- absolutely no software on it except MS software and McAfee and my HP printer software. It immediately screwed up on day 2 of its life after downloading SP3 automatically -- as in, won't install the remaining 17 updates despite numerous times turning off, turning back on, go to Update website directly; turn firewall on, turn firewall off; etc etc etc and -- much much much worse -- refused to allow ANY program to open at all except Internet Explorer and Outlook -- Error msg for everything was that it couldn't locate usp10.dll. Yes, you heard me right - I could run no software at all except Outlook (which I don't use) and IE. Ironically, googling for a solution (using the one program that worked - IE), when I used the search term "usp10.dll" it caused IE to crash every single time. What the...?? I even got that same usp10.dll error msg when I right-clicked on Computer and clicked on Properties. Would not open "Properties" at all. So today I did a system restore to Friday (two days ago) and everything works lovely. I turned off automatic updates. Will not reinstall SP3, thanks very much. 1) SP3 made my 5-year old home desktop pretty useless by causing it to refuse to browse the internet (on either IE or Firefox) -- though my internet provider confirmed I was connected and they could even reset my modem from their office. The error msg was that one you get when you're not connected to the internet (even though it indicated it was connected, and when I plugged my laptop into the same DSL cable it browsed the internet just fine). Tried to do system restore but no dates old enough were available. So Dell said "reinstall the OS." On a five year old computer - No thanks. Ordered a new computer instead. See above for how that has gone. 2) SP3 made BOTH of the CD-ROM/DVD drives on my work desktop (10 months old) stop working. Dell sent someone to replace the drives. Nope, they didn't work either. Found I could SOMETIMES get one of them to work in safe mode. Too late to do a system restore to pre-SP3 date. Dell (Gold Tech Support -- yeah right) said, after hours of try this, try that -- reinstall your OS. NO THANK YOU. What else do you have to offer? Oh, try this XP repair website. Ugh, warning this, warning that -- basically, don't try this at home. I need my computer every day at work, can't handle this! Frustrated, I waited for time to do the complete backup and OS reinstall. Then, lo and behold, two days ago there was an automatic update from MS and now ONE of the CD-ROM drives works. Good enough for now. Sigh. 3) SP3 made my CD-ROM on my laptop (3 years old) stop working. Sigh. BE CAREFUL!!!! (By the way, if you Google this issue you will see that Symantec is being given part of the blame, and I certainly have had other problems with Symantec, but my work desktop didn't have Symantec when it screwed up -- it had AVG -- and my brand-new computer had McAfee, not Symantec, when it screwed up. So I lay ALL the blame at MS's feet.)
Guest Unknown Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? Ridiculous. Millions have installed SP3. If your computer is clean you won't have any problems. "mdugan" <u47009@uwe> wrote in message news:8be9a15531507@uwe... > Ben Stevenson wrote: >>My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >>afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the >>computer in many cases. >> >>I would appreciate some expert advise. >> >>TIA > > I'm not an expert, But here is my experience with four computers -- DON'T > DO > IT!!! SP3 is HORRIBLE. In July MS admitted that SP3 was causing the > following significant problem: "Device Manager may not show any devices > and > Network Connections may not show any network connections." > > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=953979 > > Perhaps take advantage of MS's offer of free tech support for SP3 through > April 2009 (very secretive offer - I found it through a third-party tech > website - can't find it readily through MS support website) > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131 > > > Which they started this summer after admitting that SP3 was destroying > computers. Bug the hell out of them! Call them, email them, chat them up. > > See also > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 > > > > Background about my SP3 problems, in case you care.... > > SP3 has caused both device manager and connection problems on three of my > computers plus a different problem on my brand-new fourth computer. These > four computers have different antivirus programs on them, and are very > different ages (5 years, 3 years, 10 months, and two days old), and one is > a > laptop. They have very different softwares on them. There is no > explanation > related to MYSELF or my computers that would explain why all four of them > would be corrupted by SP3. > > Having figured out how to uninstall SP3 on my brand-new machine, I WILL > NOT > re-install SP3 until I get really solid confirmation that they have fixed > its > problems. > > The brand-new machine seems like a pretty good test subject -- absolutely > no > software on it except MS software and McAfee and my HP printer software. > It > immediately screwed up on day 2 of its life after downloading SP3 > automatically -- as in, won't install the remaining 17 updates despite > numerous times turning off, turning back on, go to Update website > directly; > turn firewall on, turn firewall off; etc etc etc and -- > > much much much worse -- refused to allow ANY program to open at all except > Internet Explorer and Outlook -- Error msg for everything was that it > couldn't locate usp10.dll. Yes, you heard me right - I could run no > software > at all except Outlook (which I don't use) and IE. > > Ironically, googling for a solution (using the one program that worked - > IE), > when I used the search term "usp10.dll" it caused IE to crash every single > time. What the...?? > > I even got that same usp10.dll error msg when I right-clicked on Computer > and > clicked on Properties. Would not open "Properties" at all. > > So today I did a system restore to Friday (two days ago) and everything > works > lovely. I turned off automatic updates. Will not reinstall SP3, thanks > very > much. > > 1) SP3 made my 5-year old home desktop pretty useless by causing it to > refuse > to browse the internet (on either IE or Firefox) -- though my internet > provider confirmed I was connected and they could even reset my modem from > their office. The error msg was that one you get when you're not connected > to > the internet (even though it indicated it was connected, and when I > plugged > my laptop into the same DSL cable it browsed the internet just fine). > Tried to do system restore but no dates old enough were available. So > Dell > said "reinstall the OS." On a five year old computer - No thanks. Ordered > a > new computer instead. See above for how that has gone. > > 2) SP3 made BOTH of the CD-ROM/DVD drives on my work desktop (10 months > old) > stop working. Dell sent someone to replace the drives. Nope, they didn't > work > either. Found I could SOMETIMES get one of them to work in safe mode. Too > late to do a system restore to pre-SP3 date. Dell (Gold Tech Support -- > yeah > right) said, after hours of try this, try that -- reinstall your OS. NO > THANK > YOU. What else do you have to offer? Oh, try this XP repair website. Ugh, > warning this, warning that -- basically, don't try this at home. I need my > computer every day at work, can't handle this! Frustrated, I waited for > time > to do the complete backup and OS reinstall. Then, lo and behold, two days > ago > there was an automatic update from MS and now ONE of the CD-ROM drives > works. > Good enough for now. Sigh. > > 3) SP3 made my CD-ROM on my laptop (3 years old) stop working. Sigh. > > BE CAREFUL!!!! (By the way, if you Google this issue you will see that > Symantec is being given part of the blame, and I certainly have had other > problems with Symantec, but my work desktop didn't have Symantec when it > screwed up -- it had AVG -- and my brand-new computer had McAfee, not > Symantec, when it screwed up. So I lay ALL the blame at MS's feet.) >
Guest mdugan Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? Unknown wrote: >Ridiculous. Millions have installed SP3. If your computer is clean you won't >have any problems. >>>My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >>>afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the > >> screwed up -- it had AVG -- and my brand-new computer had McAfee, not >> Symantec, when it screwed up. So I lay ALL the blame at MS's feet.) I see. You must know better than I. Thanks for your thorough, thoughtful, well-documented response.
Guest Unknown Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 Re: How good is SP3? You are absolutely correct. You are NOT an expert. Your advice 'DON'T DO IT' is absolutely the wrong thing to say. Your comment SP3 is HORRIBLE comes from someone with no expertise, is fearful, and would rather complain than seek help if unsure. Microsoft explained why Device Manager may not show any devices etc. Do you expect Microsoft to test their updates with every possible virus program? That would take years. I suggest you THINK instead of posting such idiotic scare statements.. "mdugan" <u47009@uwe> wrote in message news:8be9a15531507@uwe... > Ben Stevenson wrote: >>My automatic updates have downloaded SP3 and asking me to install. I am >>afraid to do that as I have been hearing that it causes problems to the >>computer in many cases. >> >>I would appreciate some expert advise. >> >>TIA > > I'm not an expert, But here is my experience with four computers -- DON'T > DO > IT!!! SP3 is HORRIBLE. In July MS admitted that SP3 was causing the > following significant problem: "Device Manager may not show any devices > and > Network Connections may not show any network connections." > > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=953979 > > Perhaps take advantage of MS's offer of free tech support for SP3 through > April 2009 (very secretive offer - I found it through a third-party tech > website - can't find it readily through MS support website) > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131 > > > Which they started this summer after admitting that SP3 was destroying > computers. Bug the hell out of them! Call them, email them, chat them up. > > See also > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 > > > > Background about my SP3 problems, in case you care.... > > SP3 has caused both device manager and connection problems on three of my > computers plus a different problem on my brand-new fourth computer. These > four computers have different antivirus programs on them, and are very > different ages (5 years, 3 years, 10 months, and two days old), and one is > a > laptop. They have very different softwares on them. There is no > explanation > related to MYSELF or my computers that would explain why all four of them > would be corrupted by SP3. > > Having figured out how to uninstall SP3 on my brand-new machine, I WILL > NOT > re-install SP3 until I get really solid confirmation that they have fixed > its > problems. > > The brand-new machine seems like a pretty good test subject -- absolutely > no > software on it except MS software and McAfee and my HP printer software. > It > immediately screwed up on day 2 of its life after downloading SP3 > automatically -- as in, won't install the remaining 17 updates despite > numerous times turning off, turning back on, go to Update website > directly; > turn firewall on, turn firewall off; etc etc etc and -- > > much much much worse -- refused to allow ANY program to open at all except > Internet Explorer and Outlook -- Error msg for everything was that it > couldn't locate usp10.dll. Yes, you heard me right - I could run no > software > at all except Outlook (which I don't use) and IE. > > Ironically, googling for a solution (using the one program that worked - > IE), > when I used the search term "usp10.dll" it caused IE to crash every single > time. What the...?? > > I even got that same usp10.dll error msg when I right-clicked on Computer > and > clicked on Properties. Would not open "Properties" at all. > > So today I did a system restore to Friday (two days ago) and everything > works > lovely. I turned off automatic updates. Will not reinstall SP3, thanks > very > much. > > 1) SP3 made my 5-year old home desktop pretty useless by causing it to > refuse > to browse the internet (on either IE or Firefox) -- though my internet > provider confirmed I was connected and they could even reset my modem from > their office. The error msg was that one you get when you're not connected > to > the internet (even though it indicated it was connected, and when I > plugged > my laptop into the same DSL cable it browsed the internet just fine). > Tried to do system restore but no dates old enough were available. So > Dell > said "reinstall the OS." On a five year old computer - No thanks. Ordered > a > new computer instead. See above for how that has gone. > > 2) SP3 made BOTH of the CD-ROM/DVD drives on my work desktop (10 months > old) > stop working. Dell sent someone to replace the drives. Nope, they didn't > work > either. Found I could SOMETIMES get one of them to work in safe mode. Too > late to do a system restore to pre-SP3 date. Dell (Gold Tech Support -- > yeah > right) said, after hours of try this, try that -- reinstall your OS. NO > THANK > YOU. What else do you have to offer? Oh, try this XP repair website. Ugh, > warning this, warning that -- basically, don't try this at home. I need my > computer every day at work, can't handle this! Frustrated, I waited for > time > to do the complete backup and OS reinstall. Then, lo and behold, two days > ago > there was an automatic update from MS and now ONE of the CD-ROM drives > works. > Good enough for now. Sigh. > > 3) SP3 made my CD-ROM on my laptop (3 years old) stop working. Sigh. > > BE CAREFUL!!!! (By the way, if you Google this issue you will see that > Symantec is being given part of the blame, and I certainly have had other > problems with Symantec, but my work desktop didn't have Symantec when it > screwed up -- it had AVG -- and my brand-new computer had McAfee, not > Symantec, when it screwed up. So I lay ALL the blame at MS's feet.) >
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