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Windows XP Service Pack 3 adds to Microsoft's operating system woes

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15th May 2008
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The internet is awash with moans and complaints from Windows XP users who have encountered problems installing the operating system's Service Pack 3. John Stokdyk reports

The operating system update went live on the Microsoft Download Center last week (6 May) and is designed to bundle up all previously released updates as well as add support for a few new functions.

Windows XP SP3 does not include Internet Explorer, but if version 6 or 7 of the Microsoft browser is installed, it will be updated. The service pack includes several elements to beef up security, including an upgrade to the WPA2 wireless security protocol. It also includes Network Access Protection (NAP) to help organisations running Windows XP to take advantage of new features in the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

Depending on the user's configuration, the SP3 download file size can vary from 70MB to 580MB.

But all has not gone smoothly for many users who have installed SP3. Microsoft's TechNet SP3 page lists 1,277 different threads on issues arising and InfoWeek's story Windows XP SP3 Sows Havoc, Users Complain summed up the general mood.

Many users reported that their machines went into an enless reboot loop. Many of the machines affected were built with AMD microprocessors. The reasons and workarounds are documented by Microsoft security "MVP" Jesper Johannson's blog post, Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3?

Users who have Internet Explorer 8 have also experienced problems installing the update.

ZDNet hardware blogger Adrian Kingsley-Hughes suggested several tips to ease the installation process, including:

  • Disabling anti-virus and other unnecessary start-up applications
  • Uninstalling beta-test versions of SP3
  • Uninstalling IE8; and
  • Updating software drivers.
  • Microsoft has published a guide on Steps to take before you install SP3. And if your system really can't cope with the upgrade, Microsoft also has a guide on how to remove the service pack

    Sadly, so many different variables exist out there on the millions and millions of PCs running Windows XP that glitches and bugs invariably crop up when the operating system undergoes an upgrade. But this latest outbreak of incompatibilities and system hang-ups comes at a bad time for Microsoft. Windows Vista is failing to live up to the company's claims and caused Garnter analysts to question whether Windows has become too cumbersome.

    A cynic might suggest that increasing grief for XP will encourage more of them to move to Vista, but the underlying issues are a growing problem for Microsoft. Having failed in its bid to acquire Yahoo! and become a major player in the internet advertising world, Microsoft is exhibiting worrying signs that it is failing to maintain its focus on the bread and butter technologies that made its fortune.

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