XP Home Service Pack 3 Issues

[Hokie]

I just spent about 3 hours fixing a failed install on Windows XP Home SP3. I kept getting an "Access Denied" error. After several attempts I found a KB article that discusses the error. I had to use the drastic fix described in Method 3. Sometimes Windows will drive ya insane. I have one more computer to go now.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

[trotsky]

1. I did encounter a similar situation with SP3.

Didn't have that exact error, but it wouldn't install via Windows Updates. I had a CD with the full service pack and that installed just fine.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. My XP x64 install is hosed from updates.

It won't update, things don't work...I am gonna have to reinstall and that really, really pisses me off.

M$ is just so goddamned incompetent these days.

[hobbit709]

3. My attitude with updates is

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" My first move after an install is to turn off automatic updates. I don't even know what these updates are supposed to fix since I never have any problems. Of course the only M$ thing I use is Windoze. I don't use Internet Exploder or Outhouse Distress, or Office or anything else of theirs. I have audio, video, graphics and other applications but not a one of them came from M$. And my 64 bit XP works faster and better than the 32 bit version. Running an Athlon 64 X2 5200+ at 3GHz with 4Gb dual channel RAM, Nvidia 8400GS video card, 2 20X DVD-RW's and 750Gb Seagate SATA drive. The only problem I had was finding a 64 bit firewall-Found Ghostwall.

[Hokie]

4. I am 2 for 2 - same issue on another machine

I had to do the same procedure on a second machine. This time I disabled Avast AV first just in case it was the problem. Here is the convoluted procedure you have to do:

Method 3: Reset the registry and the file permissions
Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Important This method is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced workarounds, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Microsoft Customer Support Services. To contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/ (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/)
1. Download and then install the Subinacl.exe file. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e8ba3e56-d8fe-4a91-93cf-ed6985e3927b&displaylang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e8ba3e56-d8fe-4a91-93cf-ed6985e3927b&displaylang=en)
2. Start Notepad.
3. Copy and then paste the following text into Notepad.
cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure. However, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.
4. Save this Notepad file as Reset.cmd.
5. Double-click the Reset.cmd file to run the script.

Note This script file may take a long time to run. Additionally, you have to run this script as an administrator.
6. Install Windows XP SP3.

[DemReadingDU]

5. I am going to wait to install SVP3

Once you guys find all the bugs, then I will install it!

:)

[Gore1FL]

6. My biggest issue is deployment

I am trying to get sysprep to work with it without HD Audio issues, but I may have stumbled across a solution just stupid enough to worl.

[yy4me]

12. I'm still on IE 6, SP2 and am not interested in changing anything.

I'm so dumb on this thing that I don't want to mess with it. I have hidden the updates I don't want and am still getting constant reminders that updates re ready.

[DemReadingDU]

13. That's what I was doing. IE6 and SP2

Then one day, I got a message update ready. Except, I wasn't asked if I wanted to update a specific item, the dang thing for SP3 downloaded without any prompts at all. Still haven't run to install it yet. I just don't have the time to correct anything if the installation goes bad.

[DemReadingDU]

7. Is it safe to install this now?

I accidentally downloaded it to my computer, but hesitant to install it.

[PennDem]

8. Be prepared

As with any other major update, make sure your data files are backed up first and make sure you have system restore enabled just in case.

I've seen this happen when SP3 is trying to download and install in one step directly from the Microsoft update site. Since you already have it downloaded, reboot your system and then disable your anti-virus program. Make sure that you are logged on with a user account that has admin rights. Run the install.

[DemReadingDU]

9. checked my user account, it says computer administrator, but

but how do I enable system restore?
I know where it is located: all programs>accessories>system tools>system restore

But if I click on 'system restore', does it automatically do a restore? or does it ask me first to enable or disable?

Thanks!

p.s. What happens if I never install SP3? Won't I receive any future updates from Microsoft?

[PennDem]

10. Make sure restore is enabled

You do not need to click System Restore. You just want to verify that the restore feature is turned on in case you need to return to a checkpoint before SP3 was installed. To verify, right-click "My Computer" icon on your desktop and click properties. Click the System Restore tab. The "Turn off system restore" check box should be unchecked.

Not loading SP3 should not prevent you from getting other critical updates.

[DemReadingDU]

11. Great, thank you!

SP3 has been downloaded for a few days, maybe in a few more days, I will get the courage run and install it. I am the world's slowest procrastinator.