Windows XP Service Pack 3 May Cause More Issues Than It Fixes
By Chad A. Johnson · May 13, 2008
I started writing this article from the standpoint that a third service pack to the already stable Windows XP operating system could only be a positive thing. Unfortunately, my opinion changed once I installed the update on my own computer.
SP3 is Microsoft’s final push to address issues with Windows XP before it is all but pulled from the market this summer. Once this happens, whether you are a Vista fan or not, that will be the only Windows choice available for purchase.
Windows XP SP3 is quite a letdown in comparison to the added functionality seen with Service Pack 2. Service Pack 2 gave new life to Windows XP, making you feel that the massive download and installation was worth the effort. The reality is that no real estate agent will directly benefit from SP3’s new feature set.
Issues with Service Pack 3 Installations
While you may not notice any benefit from installing SP3, you might be unlucky enough to experience issues related to the installation.
This past weekend, I upgraded the hard drive in my Windows XP laptop. Rather than clone the drive and inherit old quirks, I decided to perform a clean installation of the operating system, complete with SP3.
Once installed, Service Pack 3 caused my Internet Explorer 7 to malfunction. This wouldn’t be too much of an issue with my heavy use of Firefox except for the need for IE to download Microsoft Updates for Windows and Office.
Removing IE7 and SP3 and reinstalling did clear up the issue. Removing Service Pack 3 did wreak havoc on other programs, though, such as Norton Internet Security. That program required a Symantec tech over an hour to fix using a remote login program. That is on top of 2 hours of my own time trying to work out the glitches.
My experience was not unusual for this installation. Microsoft was forced to postpone the release of SP3 due to compatibility issues with their own business solutions software, which could cause data corruption.
A problem that is more likely to affect real estate agents is an issue that causes AMD-based computers to continuously reboot once SP3 is installed. Fortunately, fixes to the endless reboot issue are well documented throughout the blogosphere.
After all this, you may be asking yourself, “Why would I install SP3?” The answer is quite simple, it is going to be difficult to avoid installing the service pack. Microsoft has added SP3 to the critical list for Windows Update, making it a challenge to not install it.
Prepare For the Worst
The installation process for SP3 recommends backing up data before proceeding. Follow this advice!
Perform at least a data backup. Better yet, use backup software to create an image of your computer so that you can restore your computer to pre-installation state without hours of stress and anxiety.
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Tags: quirks, service pack 3, compatibility issues, windows xp sp3, microsoft updates, installation microsoft
[...] Chad A. Johnson wrote an interesting post today, here’s a quick excerptI started writing this article from the standpoint that a third service pack to the already stable Windows XP operating system could only be a positive thing. Unfortunately, my opinion changed once I installed the update on my own …
[...] Windows XP Service Pack 3 May Cause More Issues Than It FixesHere’s a quick excerpt I started writing this article from the standpoint that a third service pack to the already stable Windows XP operating system could only be a positive thing. Unfortunately, my opinion changed once I installed the update on my own computer. [...]
Interesting article. I have not had the problems you have had with sp3. Knock on wood, so far everything seems ok. It seems to have slowed down my system a little but most updates tend to do that I’ve noticed until all the updates click in. Or I may just be imagining it. Either way I’ve updated 2 laptops and one pc and so far so good. FYI Just my opinion.
Bob H
Hammersteam,
Thanks for sharing your experience with XP SP3. I have also updated 2 other computers with no issues. It just must be the luck of the draw on whether it will be a smooth install or not.
Hi,
I just wanted to share some of my XP SP3 experience. In general, after the update, everything worked well, except Windows won’t start if I have either my external hard disk or my PCI card-based SATA disk plugged in. It was also giving me corrupted data messages on some of the folders on some of my 5 drives. Restoring from a SP2 backup solves all the problems including the corrupted data errors. I think I’ll wait until the SP is a bit more mature. Weirdness…
Toan Tran,
Saturday, I ran across the same external hard drive problem on a system I maintain. If the USB hard drive was connected, Windows wouldn’t load.
After hours of troubleshooting, the fix ended up being a BIOS update. This might be something that you want to explore.
I have a Gateway CX200 tablet that just about threw a rod when I installed XP SP3. The system would not stay running for more than a few seconds before shutting down. Luckily, it stayed running one time for long enough for me to select a restore point and that solved the main issue. It still corrupted my desktop and a few other minor issues. But, it basically killed my PC. So, I’ll not be updating my XP and will probably just buy a new PC and go with Vista Ultimate.
its killed my puter…cant get into start menu to try and restore…..cant get into safe mode while booting…..looks like ill have to scrap it and start again….microsoft are wankers
Three computers from clients don’t get far enough into windows to remove SP3, and in one case it took out the main board drivers.. after a reinstall of windows… the first is sp3 which means no updates for the user ! Nice (sarcasm) good one microsoft excellent testing.
The other ones need to go into windows via an external hard drive to try to roll back and I am having trouble.
I’m no computer whiz - farthest thing from it - I hobble along as best I can. I’ve spent 2 days trying to fix problems that have popped up since installing SP3. Mainly an error with the wireless networking. I couldn’t figure it out ’till I reverted the hard drive on one computer and it worked fine and then updated the 2nd and it had the same issues - then updated the 2nd again and reverted once again to same issue. This is aggravating for someone (me) who is just not that computer litterate. I wish there was an easily found answer to this.