XP Service Pack 3 Feedback

In my August 31st online Terry's Computer Tips newsletter, I wrote about my experience trying to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 on my notebook computer. Service Pack 3 didn't like me.

This week, I got some feedback from Bob in South Africa on his experiences:

Terry, Microsoft’s auto update of SP 3 on my XP Home SP 2 OS was an unmitigated DISASTER (!) and required me to do a format and reinstall of XP SP 2. Then I saw that TechRepublic was kindly offering an ISO download of SP 3 of which I took advantage and burned myself an SP 3 install CD (with install wizard). After disconnecting from the Internet and shutting down everything in my notification area, I ran the install CD of SP 3 which went off prefectly. On rebooting, better stability was immediately discernable. That was three months ago and I have had no problems whatever. I suggest this as a good way to install SP 3. Thanks for the excellent newsletters and for pointing out the very suspect conditions included in Google Chrome’s EULA. Kindest regards, Bob, South Africa.

I tried installing via the full download from Microsoft and tried installing via Microsoft Updates. Both attempts failed at the same point — with a thoroughly useless message Access Forbidden, without identifying what SP3 was attempting to access.

Matt Ketelaar wrote:

I'm glad you made it through Gustav OK.

I have the same problem you do when trying to update to service pack 3. The same thing happens on both my laptop and my desktop. I get the notice that the update could not be installed and the proces is reversed and I too turned off anitvirus, firewalls and anti-spam. Do I understand you correctly that the problem is due to not enough unused space on the hardrive? Please advise or clarify.

I wrote back to say "Right timing, but wrong interpretation." I'm going to upgrade to a larger hard drive for overall space needs. That's not the issue, at least there wasn't any indication in the error message, that I had on the XPSP3 attempted installation. All I meant was that I wasn't going to try again on my current drive (which last week's online issue mentioned is failing).

Tom Linton wrote:

I too had a fight with XP Service Pack 3. I was a good thing in some ways as I had to format my HD and start over. (It wouldn't fix it self when I tried to uninstall.) Now my PC is cleaner and runs much faster. It was due for a cleanup. I also got myself an image backup program and have a GOOD image of my PC (updated operating system and all my software) backed up in case of future disasters.
Recently, I got a notice from another eletter I subscribe to telling me MS had tweaked the Service Pack to remove some of the problems. I gave it another try knowing I wouldn't need to spend two days getting my system back. It worked without a hitch.
Good luck with your endeavor.
Tom

Copyright © 2008 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.