just wondering if anyone has or had any issues installing the update? my install went fine except when i went to turn off my computer a window appeared saying end program-the MCI command window. any idea what that means? i tried to get into my task manager to look but no luck. just curious on that process.

Hi darkrose,

My install went fine. My advice is do a complete antivirus and malware scan before install. During install, make sure you have programs like IE, adobe, firefox... closed. I also temporarily shutdown my antivirus and firewall - turned them back on after completion

What was the exact message that you received?
Were there any other problems noted?
Were there any issues before your install?

Hi rigel, all the window said was the MCI command window was ending- and that any unsaved data would be lost if i ended the program.the program ended up being unresponsive and i just closed the window- and my computer turned off. i get those messages every once in a while-it's like i don't give the computer enough time to end the programs that are running. otherwise my install was perfect and i can't believe how much faster my computer is. oops- i never shutdown my firewall or security. no damage though-yet do you know what the MCI command window is? thank you.

The only thing I can put my finger on was a topic saying a help window was left open during shutdown I will continue to look around rose and post back in a bit.

Glad the update went well!

The MCI Command seems to have something to do with Media Control - so I'd suggest ensuring that there wasn't a CD/DVD in your drive when shutting down, and that all Media Player type applications are closed before shutting down (to include those that are resident in memory - you can stop these in the Processes tab of Task Manager). To open Task Manager, just press Ctrl-Alt-Del

Other reasons for this seem to be malware related or corruption of the assorted media aware programs. If stopping everything before shutting down cures the problem, then start selectively shutting down some of the apps until you're able to narrow it down to just one.

I installed from WinUpdate on one computer and did a manual install of the redistributable download on another system...no problems with either one.

I changed nothing on my systems...IE 7 intact on each, firewalls/AV/malware-prevention programs all running. I did run chkdsk /r (as a precaution) before installing on either system.

Louis

I'm not planning to install XP SP3 but it looks like there are issues specifically with computers with AMD processors and anyone who has upgraded to IE8. Here's a link from Appscout outlining the problem followed by a link to Jesper Johansson's work around for AMD machines and a link to Microsoft's Jane Maliouta's blog regarding SP3 & IE8. Hope this helps some folks out.




http://www.appscout.com/2008/05/continuous...for_amdbase.php

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/arc...ing-xp-sp3.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/0...-and-xpsp3.aspx

Well I am running AMD so I don't plan on getting SP3. Yet.

I am also being chicken and holding off for a while before I upgrade. One thing I was wondering was what about any critical updates that start arriving after SP3? Is it important that these shouldn't be updated until after I've upgraded SP3?

Geoff

Me too!

I don't know when it is the right time for me. I am a bit reluctant since my laptop came pre-installed with Xp Media Centre Edition and I don't have any CDs... I am kind of undecided whether I should upgrade online or request an Xp CD (SP3) from my laptop Manufacturer because I will need the CD one time or another.

Note that the AMD problem seems to affect pre-built computers with a factory-installed image of XP

Hello all,

The best way to install SP3 without any problems, (that is if you have downloaded the stand alone pack and not received it through windows update)
shut down, suspend and/or exit any and all security programs, close any and all open windows and then disconnect from the internet.
Proceed with the install and it should go smooth, fast and without a hitch. Upon restart, your security programs should restart as well, reconnect to the internet and you should be good to go.

To add to that, it would also be wise to do a virus scan and a malware scan or two, and create a restore point

For any of our members reading this thread, here are a few helpful links:

Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3
"Includes all previously released updates for the operating system, in addition to a small number of new functionalities that will not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system."
Release notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Release notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
(addresses late-breaking issues and information about: IE7, RMS, MUI, Scripting, Remote Desktop Client 6.1, XP Media Center Edition 2002)

Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3
"The computer must be running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 installed. Microsoft recommends that you have Service Pack 2 installed before installing SP3."
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3- Troubleshooting SP3 installation
Minimizing XP SP3 woes - Updated
Windows XP SP3 - What You Need to Know: New Features
Jasper's blog: Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3?

---------------------------------------------------
XP SP3 CDs available from Microsoft.

SP3 CDs cost $3.99 plus $5.99 shipping. They are currently on back order but should be ready for mailing in early June.

Call MSFT at 1-800-360-7561 and choose option 2 to Place an Order.
Next chose option 1 to Place Order for a Service Pack.

A representative will take your order and billing/shipping information.

Thank you, I knew i forgot something, especially the restore point

Be careful with that Restore Point. I think if you have a failed SP3 install and then restore to a restore point from SP2 you end up with a nightmare! A user with a BSOD posting on Broadband DSL Reports learned that that was the worst thing he could have done. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20460311?hilite=
Basically now he had a mish-mash of both SP2 and SP3 on his system.

Most of the problems have been with AMD systems and Hewlett Packard systems. This is ONE time I'm actually glad I have a Dell!
Reading over on the TechNet SP3 forums http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowFo...0&SiteID=17, there seem to have been a fair number of problems with people who installed SP3 from WindowsUpdate direct or via Automatic Updates (though many did so successfully).

I too was reticent to install SP3 at all. Following BCastner's suggestion to one user, I downloaded the redistributable copy of standalone SP3, booted into safe mode on my Admin Account, first checked Task Mgr to be sure no security apps were running (good thing, because Counterspy loads even SAFE MODE!!!!! So I killed it) and then proceeded with the SP3 install. All went without glitch or error message. Absolutely no problems since my install last Saturday. Once I was sure I was running OK, I got rid of my restore points by turning it off and then back on. Then created a new restore point on my SP3 system.

Accordind to the Johanssen link,if you have problems boot into safe mode and you can uninstall SP3 using add/remove programs and your PC will revert to the previous SP2 installation.

Decided to upgrade to SP3 yesterday via WindowsUpdate. I have a HP pc with an amd chip and I knew it wasn't going to boot. Followed the instructions in Jasper's Blog and everything worked fine. Tested my media center and that also works fine.

Installed SP3 last night. Got stuck in the boot loop-amd processor on my system.
Immediately booted into safe mode with networking, tryed one of the work-arounds, computer then booted normally.
Back in normal mode, computer ran slower than a turtle crawl. I scanned, deleted cache, did some other things, no joy. Still slow. Uninstalled SP3, and I'm thrilled to say computer runs much faster.
At this time, I've decided SP3 is NOT going back on my computer for a while, if ever.

Frank, it's been a few days since your post. The link http://www.appscout.com/2008/05/continuous...for_amdbase.php

goes to a page which says "Sorry, we can't find the page you are looking for. It's probably our fault, but please check the URL and try again, or browse through the categories on the left.

If all else fails, try searching the blog by using the search box that's directly above. "

Well, that's OK. It had the link to Jesper's blog and that link was the primary value of the Appscout post in the first place. I used the Appscout post for context purposes. It's not needed anymore.

I applied the full admin release back on the fourth, to a barebones normal boot,

had a few shell/registry glitches leftover from infections in the last year or so but afaik the computer was absolutely clean

the computer is an amd and running better and faster than ever before

I did clean out 93 post sp2 update backup files after sp3 was installed

I had set restore on and only one point had been saved and I had cleaned up and defragged the system drive first

I haven't tested yet but I think windows file protection and xp have finally reached maturity, sfc scannow, it now points to a new folder sp3 created in the windows folder which is ServicePackFiles 561 MB, this is good.

Just wondering if this also applies to us in the UK... same number/shipping rate?

All seems OK except disconnecting from Internet. When after a few day waiting I couldn't resist the temptation and decided to update to SP3 (through Windows update) I shut down everything except AV (with firewall) and I remember a few times notifications from the firewall and I gave permission each time. I guess when windows misses a part to install or uninstall something it may download it. If you don't let it happen you may get to trouble.

BTW I have a Dell Dimentions.