[MrFreeman]

Hello,
My desktop computer is constantly rebooting. Even when i select "last know good cofig.."
I happened after i downloaded SP3 and then restarted to finish installation. Anybody have any ideas how to fix this?

HP a121on
Win XP sp3

[CDATech]

You've even attempted to get into safemode with no luck Mr. Freeman?

[TOGG]

There's a lot of information in this thread from dsl reports; http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r204...ndless-reboots See if any of it applies to your current problem.

This mess provides another good reason not to allow automatic updates! As for SP3 itself, I agree with the poster to the dsl thread that doesn't see any reason to install it.

[MrFreeman]

Yes, CDATech i managed to restore through safe made. I've heard that if I uninstall my antvirus then install sp3 it might fix the problem. If that does not work, then I could live without SP3 as TOGG suggested.

[oshwyn5]

I always suggest that before installing a service pack you first make sure you are clean of malware and viruses; so do a full system scan. If in doubt do an online scan at trendmicro, panda, symantec, f-secure , or kaspersky.

Secondly, do a disk cleanup and clean out temp files, temp internet files, and the recycle bin. Then defrag. This is not essential but it will make things go a lot faster and more smoothly.

Third, when it says to close all open windows it means it. In fact, I always recommend that you turn off your antivirus program for the Service Pack installs. If you have a registry locker like Spybot TeaTimer, make sure to turn it off too. The less you have which could interfere with the install the better. You are undertaking a major set of changes to your operating system replacing many dll files which are shared with other applications. The less stuff to interfere the better.


There have been major problems caused by the way HP installed the OS on computers with AMD processors, using the same image file as they used on the Intel processor versions.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/...intsrc=hm_list
The image they used contained the Intelppm.sys driver , so SP3 updates it; but the AMD systems rely on a different power management driver amdk8.sys. Should not be an issue, but when the new files are tested before the install completes, it causes a crash and reboot when intelppm.sys is run.
So , if you have an HP with an AMD you may want to wait until HP fixes this.

[TOGG]

To me at least, the issue seems to be whether any 'normal' home user actually needs this SP? If you go here; http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en you can see the summary as follows;

"Windows® XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system."

and, if you d/l the pd format 'Overview' you can see exactly what the 'new functionalities' are.

If you wish to download the complete ISO package (300 + MB?) to burn to CD or DVD to use in case of a future reinstall of XP, and you have a broadband connection, that may be sufficient reason to do it. For dialup users like me it is not a sensible option.

Anyway, I use the 'Custom' option when doing Windows Updates and there are many 'Recommended' updates that I don't need or want.

[LauraMJ]

I have an AMD processor, however, it is not an HP computer, it is a computer built for me locally. I don't have that Intelppm key at all. Is that because it is not built by HP? The closest thing I have is an Intelide key.