Prevent XP SP3 from Causing Problems.

[jesseinsf]

Things we should know before installing a Service Pack: This message is geared toward all those people wining about unsuccessful installs of SP3.

1: Everyone should know that Microsoft recomends that you at least diable your antivirus software if you encountered problems installing SP3. Though I recomend that you COMPLETELY uninstall AntiVirus software or any 3rd party software that protects system files when installing Service packs. After the sevice pack is installed then you can reinstall the software.

2: Update all your drivers before installing service packs (this includes Motherboard chipset drivers, audio drivers, Video drivers, TV Tuner drivers, ext.) if you can't find a newer driver at your PC manufacturer's website then go to the actual hardware manufacturer's website to get the newest drivers.

3: Another thing that can prevent a service pack from installing incorrectly would be to stop installing all that junkware to alter your windows experience....Apple users don't do this because they are perfectly happy for what they have....so why not show those Mac users that we are to by not installing all that junkware that can secretly damage our XP machines.

3: if you bought a new computer then you should reformat the dang thing before using it because we all know that those PC Manufacturers install all their "Crapware" that can cause system crashes and speed issues as-well-as service pack installation failures.

4: There is so much software out there for Windows. We all should know that a good chunk of that software out there is "Poorly" made like "AIM instant messenger" and Yahoo Messenger" (I'm not necessarily saying that these apps are the cause of SP failures). Come on, if an app moves your mouse to one side of the screen then to the other side of the screen before it actually opens for us to see then that has to be poorly made. To get to my point, read reviews on the software we install, Update to the newer versions of that software and only install software that we know is "Rock Solid". this will help prevent potential Service Pack install Failures. Oh, and "DO NOT" instal "Beta" software. Beta software means "Buggy" software that is not ready to be used by the general public.

5: Try turning everything back to the the way you found it when you bought your computer or installed the OS. Reset all tweaks, Boot screen and registry alters because that can certainly cause future problems.

6: after all of the above is checked then goto windows update and update everything that is available then you can install the service pack.

Edited May 12, 2008 by jesseinsf

[+allan MVC]

Oh please. It's posts like yours that frighten the average user for absolutely no good reason. First, I NEVER heard of uninstalling AV software before installing anything. Would you like to post a link to where MS says that please?

All you need to do is disable the AV during the upgrade - just as you should disable the AV before installing ANY driver or major software. And while the AV is disabled, it's best to disconnect from the internet. After the install you can reenable the AV and then reconnect to the net.

Other than that, just install the service pack. It's no big deal and you shouldn't make it sound like it is. It's just a simple upgrade, that's all. The only proviso is that it makes sense to create an image of your system partition before installing any driver or OS upgrade (including service packs, of course). It's always prudent to have a reliable backup in the event something goes wrong or doesn't work to your liking. But that's just common sense.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I'd hate to say this but I agree with allan. This link explains the proper steps to take before installing Windows XP SP3. I've included it in my signature for those who need it.

[+allan MVC]

I'd hate to say this but I agree with allan.

Why do you hate to agree with me?

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Why do you hate to agree with me?

I didn't mean it that way. The jesseinsf's intention was to help people but he was shot down from the sky so I kinda felt bad to imply that he was incorrect.

I have nothing against you. You're a great person, always here to help people. Plus I'm always learning something from you. Hehe. :)

[+allan MVC]

Ahhh, I see :)

Well, you're just a nicer person than I am ;) . I prefer that when people don't know what they are talking about they just avoid posting in the first place - of course that would eliminate a huge number of posts on forums like this --- as I said, your comment is clearly nicer than mine :)

[flyingroof]

"Apple users don't...." why did you even add that? Now i have no respect for this thread.

[JustGeorge]

Not taking sides, but its been recommended over @ Kaspersky's forums to un-install their AV software prior to installing a SP. Its probably to prevent the AV from going nuts and informing the user of a **** load of file changes on reboot. Personally, I just disabled real time protection in KIS and everything went smoothly with only a few file change warnings. I always perform the following before installing a Service Pack:

1. AV scan using Housecall and currently installed AV

2. Scan/remove spyware using SAS, Spyware Terminator and Spybot SD

3. Complete chkdsk of HDD

4. Install SP

5. Defrag HDD

Done!

This is what I do for other people's PC's as I don't have crap on mine to begin with. Perhaps overkill, but it makes me fell better :)

[krazycasey]

Bollocks! I never heard of such things. Even with AV software on, official service packs installs just fine. I have never had any problems with the numerous computers that I have upgraded. But yes I would recommend to disabled AV software while doing major upgrades, as it might interfere with the updating of some windows components.

[DavidR]

I have heard them suggest pausing/disabling AV for such updates, but to uninstall is IMHO crazy, I'm not to comfortable even disabling/pausing my AV. What is going on behind the scenes that might be an issue for an AV looking for viruses/malware that they would want you to uninstall your AV.

There is no way I would want to sit on-line at WU with AV uninstalled and my metaphoric trouser round my ankles, waiting for SP3 to install on a dial-up connection.

I recall my first visit to WU after installation of XP (no SP1 on the original CD) even with an AV installed I got hit with Blaster (if I remember rightly) within minutes because of exploits that would be patched by security updates or SP1. So going on-line for the security updates/SP1 with an AV I still got hit. My disk imaging software hauled my a** out of the fire that day.

[JustGeorge]

I have heard them suggest pausing/disabling AV for such updates, but to uninstall is IMHO crazy, I'm not to comfortable even disabling/pausing my AV. What is going on behind the scenes that might be an issue for an AV looking for viruses/malware that they would want you to uninstall your AV.

There is no way I would want to sit on-line at WU with AV uninstalled and my metaphoric trouser round my ankles, waiting for SP3 to install on a dial-up connection.

I recall my first visit to WU after installation of XP (no SP1 on the original CD) even with an AV installed I got hit with Blaster (if I remember rightly) within minutes because of exploits that would be patched by security updates or SP1. So going on-line for the security updates/SP1 with an AV I still got hit. My disk imaging software hauled my a** out of the fire that day.

I always DL the SP installer and do it offline. It must take forever on Dial Up.

[+allan MVC]

Not taking sides, but its been recommended over @ Kaspersky's forums to un-install their AV software prior to installing a SP. Its probably to prevent the AV from going nuts and informing the user of a **** load of file changes on reboot.

• AV Software does not inform you about changed files - even system files. It informs you of possible virus / malware activity.
  
• I ONLY use Kaspersky AV on all of my systems and any systems I work on for others. All you need to do is disable the AV during the install. And even if you forget to disable it there should be no problem.
  

[(Spork)]

Oh please. It's posts like yours that frighten the average user for absolutely no good reason. First, I NEVER heard of uninstalling AV software before installing anything. Would you like to post a link to where MS says that please?

All you need to do is disable the AV during the upgrade - just as you should disable the AV before installing ANY driver or major software. And while the AV is disabled, it's best to disconnect from the internet. After the install you can reenable the AV and then reconnect to the net.

Other than that, just install the service pack. It's no big deal and you shouldn't make it sound like it is. It's just a simple upgrade, that's all. The only proviso is that it makes sense to create an image of your system partition before installing any driver or OS upgrade (including service packs, of course). It's always prudent to have a reliable backup in the event something goes wrong or doesn't work to your liking. But that's just common sense.

well said

[JustGeorge]

• AV Software does not inform you about changed files - even system files. It informs you of possible virus / malware activity.
  
• I ONLY use Kaspersky AV on all of my systems and any systems I work on for others. All you need to do is disable the AV during the install. And even if you forget to disable it there should be no problem.
  

I have KIS 7.0.1.325 on the laptop that got SP3 installed and I was informed that some system files were changed after reboot and re-enabling the real-time protection. Once you inform it that the change is ok, then it goes along it merry way. Malware can/does alter system files, so that seems like a perfectly normal function for AV to protect against. I'm pretty sure that standard KAV (AV only) has this feature as well. Why you aren't being warned about altered files, I don't know. The laptop was clean so it wasn't the result of infection. I'm not disagreeing with you about keeping the AV installed during a SP upgrade, just simply stating whats being recommended by vets over at the Kaspersky forums.

[+allan MVC]

Okay, I believe you. But I've done 5 SP3 installs in the past week, all on systems with KAV, and have not seen the activity you describe even once.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Ahhh, I see :)

Well, you're just a nicer person than I am ;) . I prefer that when people don't know what they are talking about they just avoid posting in the first place - of course that would eliminate a huge number of posts on forums like this --- as I said, your comment is clearly nicer than mine :)

Quite true. Thanks!

• AV Software does not inform you about changed files - even system files. It informs you of possible virus / malware activity.
  
• I ONLY use Kaspersky AV on all of my systems and any systems I work on for others. All you need to do is disable the AV during the install. And even if you forget to disable it there should be no problem.
  

Agreed.

To those that have questions about what to do before installing XP SP3, please refer to the link in my signature. It's a recent Microsoft Help and Support article. It also troubleshoots various error messages that you may receive while installing the service pack.

[Colin-uk Veteran]

I installed SP3 like it was any other application, didnt do anything specific before installing it.

run .exe file > next > next > i agree > next > wait> finish > reboot > done.

:p

[NightmarE D]

3: Another thing that can prevent a service pack from installing incorrectly would be to stop installing all that junkware to alter your windows experience....Apple users don't do this because they are perfectly happy for what they have....so why not show those Mac users that we are to by not installing all that junkware that can secretly damage our XP machines.

There wasn't even any need for this one. I honestly don't see how anyone could take the thread seriously after reading that one.

The whole "uninstalling your AV software before installing a SP" is BS. All you have to do is disable it before installing the SP and then just re-enable it when it's done. I've never had issues installing any SP with AV installed and sometimes I'll forget to disable the AV and still have never had issues.

Seems to me like the thread was just started to scare people out of installing SP3 and throw in a little bash towards Windows users while they were at it.

[JustGeorge]

Okay, I believe you. But I've done 5 SP3 installs in the past week, all on systems with KAV, and have not seen the activity you describe even once.

Do you install KAV using custom settings or standard? I'm not saying that I get warnings for every system file that was changed. For instance, after installing IE7 and rebooting, KAV will warning me that iexplore.exe has changed and asks me if I want to allow it. Its only for certain files.

[scaramonga]

I'm a system builder and have installed SP3 on various systems, never once disabling AV or anything. Not 1 problem have I come across. If anything needs to be disabled before installing any service pack, then I'd suggest a complete reinstall instead, as your OS wasn't stable enough in the first place.

:)

[+allan MVC]

Do you install KAV using custom settings or standard? I'm not saying that I get warnings for every system file that was changed. For instance, after installing IE7 and rebooting, KAV will warning me that iexplore.exe has changed and asks me if I want to allow it. Its only for certain files.

I always customize every piece of software I install so it works the way I want it to ;). But I do not recall any setting that would effect notifications of file changes. Let's not worry about it - it's just not that big of a deal.

[JustGeorge]

I always customize every piece of software I install so it works the way I want it to ;). But I do not recall any setting that would effect notifications of file changes. Let's not worry about it - it's just not that big of a deal.

Understood. I was just curious as to why you didn't get prompts and I did, thats all :)

[jesseinsf]

What I wrote in the beginning was focused toward the winers who complain that SP3 caused issues.

Ok, you don't have to uninstall antivirus programs as said here.

But Microsoft clearly says that If the configuration of your antivirus software prevents certain system files from being changed, SP3 installation might fail. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus software. You can usually do this by right-clicking your antivirus program icon (which typically appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the computer screen) and clicking Disable.

[scaramonga]

And please don't get all upset when the word "Apple Mac" is said...I'm a PC user not an Apple user....was just giving an example.

We wont.

Just please don't mention Vista.

:rolleyes:

[jesseinsf]

It seems that all you guys have KAV.. what about the other ones out there like McAfee Enterprise or Norton. Have you ever uninstalled McAfee Enterprise to find out that you can no longer keep your firewall turned on? This is how deeply McAfee roots itself in the operating system. Tell you the truth; I never use Antivirus software because I don't get viruses. I have not had a virus in 2 years. And I use my computer without worries. So what's the fuss about...if you don't want to uninstall it then just disable it only if you have problems.