Re: SP3 corrupted computer?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Rick,

It 'sounds' like the antivirus software was actively monitoring the system and caused registry corruption when SP3 was applied.
Norton Internet Security and other Symantec 'products' have been identified as doing just that.
Here's Symantec's spin on the issue:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9088598&source=NLT_AM&nlid=1

I don't buy Symantec's spin as most AVs do not have the issue. The registry becomes corrupted due to it being guarded by Symantec products that edit Permissions. Installation issues with Security updates have also arisen from this 'guarding' of the registry.
Reliable and trustworthy security software needs to be able to know how Windows functions. Apparently, Symantec feels that learning how Windows works is less important than imposing their vision of how they want their software to work.
No one buys a computer to run security software, they buy it to use the computer.

Microsoft already has a KB article that recommends AV software be disabled when SP3 is applied. It should be the first window a User sees when applying SP3, not stuck away in a KB:

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

As Lem has already pointed out, contact MS.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
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Rick S. wrote:

Twayne
This was a company wide install; simply was not in my hands to make a decision. As it is, we have a couple of stubborn systems that just did not like SP3. Like mine for instance. At home, I have avoided SP3 due to information I have read prior to this problem.

Kenny
I envy you! LOL
I wish they would have done that as well. :shrug:

Lem
This is the first new information I have received, Thanks!

.

Relevant Pages

  • Symantec Acknowledges XP SP3, Vista SP1 Registry Corruption
    ... Symantec Admits Fault in Windows XP SP3 Registry Corruption ... Reese Anschultz said users of Norton Internet Security, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: Thoughts on Norton Internet Security 2005?
    ... I see into serious system damage caused by Symantec AV and security products ... on a regular basis in service work (more than by all the other av / security ... deeply into the OS installing dozens of dll's and registry entries. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: NORTON HIJACKS WSC!
    ... We tried the symantec removal tool as well as the manual tools ... Do a search in the registry under HKLM for "security center". ...
    (alt.comp.anti-virus)
  • RE: Symantec Live-Update
    ... another thread mentioned to disable the security ... center,and yea I don't think that's a good idea, ... >then searcing the hard drive for symantec and deleting ... >Then search the registry also (type regedit in the run ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: autoruns mistake
    ... If someone is at SP3, is it a requirement to slipstream SP3 to a Windows ... If you feel confident enough to mount the drive in another Windows XP computer or in a USB enclosure then you can access the damaged registry and try to fix things. ... If you cannot mount the disk in another XP machine or USB enclosure then this will be a very difficult problem to solve, you will need to use a special boot disk with an onboard registry editor, building such a boot disk is not a trivial matter, it takes several hours and it takes advanced computer skills. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)