Why would I need sp3? Will it hurt my pc if I download it. Do I really need it. thanks
Richard

SP3 is nothing more than an accumulation of security patches (and hot fixes) - I've never had an issue with it.

You can peruse the specifics below -

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3

thanks so much InlandAZ. So much for sp3. I installed it and restarted my pc and it wouldn't load win.xp. It wanted me to put my installation disk in. I went in the safe mode and restore it at a earlier time. I hope that works. I'm on another pc now.Really messed up my pc. It worked back on line without sp3.
Richard

What brand and model is your computer?
Where did you get SP3? Did you download the redistributable from ***Microsoft*** or did you get it through Windows Update. Usually there isn't a problem installing SP3 unless the computer is infected to start with, but it's also possible an antivirus could block it (though they're not supposed to), and there may be certain brands of computer that have a problem with it (because of shortcuts the manufacturer made with the drive imaging).

Jenny100
I got it from Microsoft. I guess my pc doesn't like sp3. I guess I really don't need it afterall.
I didn't have any trouble installing it.
Richard

kjos, if you don't have SP3 for your XP, Microsoft will no longer support your XP. Support for XP SP2 stopped in July. You will no longer get security updates or patches and your system will gradually get less and less secure.

I'd do what Jenny suggested and make sure your computer isn't infected. You've already missed out on several security updates for XP.

Do you have an AMD processor by any chance?

I really don't know if I have a AMD processor. I can make a new restore point and try again.
Richard

If you do - you might want to take a peek at the following KB Article from Microsoft -

Error message after you upgrade a comput...x0000007E"

Click the Start button in the lower left of your screen.
Right-click where it says "My Computer" and click Properties.
The box that pops up should show you your processor (AMD or Pentium or whatever), how many GHz it is, and how much RAM you have.

Jenny100
this is what I came up.
Pentium Dual-core cpu
E5200 2.50 GHz
2.52 GHz ,200GB of Ram
Does that tell you much. Thanks
Richard

It's not the AMD problem then (which isn't a problem caused by AMD but by certain manufacturers creating a disk image on a Pentium computer and using it on their AMD models). So the link on the website Inland found won't be of much use.

I guess you could try installing it again. If you use an antivirus, you might want to suspend it while you do the Windows update. Or instead of trying to update online you could try manually downloading SP3 to your hard drive before installing it. You can find it at ***Microsoft*** or at places like ***Softpedia*** or ***Majorgeeks***.

Thanks Jenny you have been a big help.
Richard. I made a new restore point just in case.

Do you have an installation disc? It may be trying to fix problem with your windows install (like a corrupted system file).

I will try it again tomorrow and let you know the exact message I get. Now I can't be sure what it said. thanks
richard

Jenny,

May I ask why it would matter if he downloaded the redistributable (whatever that means) from Microsoft or got it through Windows Updates? Is one different than the other?

I too, am fighting this for some reason. I bought the disc that Draclvr pointed to in a different thread, but have still not installed it.

What do the security updates and patches do? Are they for virus protection or what?

Sorry if these seem like stupid questions.

Jackie

It's just been my experience with Microsoft updates that some will install when you download and install them manually when they wouldn't install using Windows update. The reverse can be true too.


Windows is a huge bulky mass of code and it's impossible to find every possible security vulnerability before releasing it to the public. Microsoft does their best, but they can't find everything. So they patch the security holes as they find them.

Richard, and anyone else that may be having problems with installing SP3,

If you go here to the Microsoft website, then you can download the ISO image of SP3. Just burn it to disc and then insert the freshly burned disc into your CD/DVD drive and you can install it from that. The download is free from MS and hopefully there won't be any further problems for you.

Toodle-pip,
Cas.

Cas
I sure can give it a try. thanks,

So much for sp3--this is what I get on start up,the product key is not valid for this media type. Please use the correct installation CD to reinstall windows. error code ox80040509.
I'm sure not going to install windows again. Don't need sp3 that bad.I used the restore point from a later time. Thanks
richard

Kjos,
It sounds like your Windows key is not recognized as valid.
***error code 0x80040509***

What is the brand and model number of your computer?
If a shop custom built the computer for you, you should ask them about this.

I had better check with the shop where I got the pc. Thanks Jenny.
Richard

If you received a copy of the installation disc, have you compared its product key to the one Windows reports?

If they're not the same, you can use the Product Key Update tool to correct it.

I don't have a copy of the installation disk. If I buy a xp installation disk can I install it on my pc? Where would I get one. Thanks
Richard

You can still find them on Ebay - and yes, you can install it.

You may be able to just update the product key without installing it.

Windows Product Key Update Tool Instructions

Do you think it's safe to buy.

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Install CDs + COA. current bid $46.