Re: Updates since SP3 on XP

hottroc wrote:
Since updating to SP3 of Windows XP a few months ago I notice
that I don't seem to see any updates in the Windows Update site
except for Defender def updates and occasionally one or two others
like Silverlight. None of the usual Security updates that used to
appear always.
Is this correct or is something not working right? And how would I
troubleshoot this?

Shenan Stanley wrote:
Please define 'a few months ago' more precisely...

Also - please perform the following:
Start button --> RUN --> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

Type out the entire "Version" line from the window that appears and
look at the picture at the top of the Window and tell us what
flavor of Windows XP you have.

Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and choose "custom" (not
'express') and see what it comes up with. (*do not install any of
the optional stuff yet.) Come back here and let us know what is
listed for "high priority updates'...

hottroc wrote:
Cant remember exactly but it was before Christmas, about end
November (?).

Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254 : Service Pack 3)
XP Prof.

That's what I usually do, No high priority updates available, that
is the reason for the note. Earlier today I had the Defender def
update and one other but don't get much else like I used to pre-sp3.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
If you have given everything accurately - you do *not* have the
final version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed. For example,
my "version" is:

Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236 : Service Pack 3)

You either have a pre-release version of SP3 installed or a failed
installation of Service Pack 3. In either case - the solution is
similar.

- Uninstall whatever you think is Service Pack 3 throught Add or
Remove Programs in Control Panel.
- Properly prepare (cleanup and backup) your machine for Service
Pack 3 for Windows XP installation.
- Reboot.
- Install Service Pack 3 for Windows XP.
- Reboot three or so times after the installation.
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and install all "High
Priority" updates, most "Optional, Software" updates (I recommend
avoiding the "Windows Search" related ones) and completely avoid
the "Optional, Hardware" updates; rebooting as needed and
revisiting until none are left.

That should get you where you need to be - and that is the
'general' steps - but, not knowing you and/or your 'computer
skills' - here is a bit more detail (with a little extra
cleanup/updating included to make sure you have the latest
everything when you are done...) Some of the links you would need
in the steps can be found in the relevant links section below.
Also - right after the 'step-by-step', you'll find three other
links that can help you prepare more fully to install SP3
successfully the first time.

1) Download the full SP3 installation file and/or burn the ISO
download to CD (links for either below.)
2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by
doing a full scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes (links
for both below.) 3) Disk Cleanup (link below.)
4) CHKDSK (link below.)
5) Defragment (link below.)
6) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.) Belarc Advisor can be
used to get a decent list of hardware for your system to help
you with this (link below.)
7) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
8) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically.)
9) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are
about to install Windows XP SP3.
10) Install Windows XP SP3.
11) Reboot, logon, wait a few minutes, reboot, logon, wait a few
minutes, reboot, logon...
12) Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and install all "High
Priority" updates, most "Optional, Software" updates (I recommend
avoiding the "Windows Search" related ones) and completely avoid
the "Optional, Hardware" updates; rebooting as needed and
revisiting until none are left.

Below are some web pages and such that can help you with firther
information and free assistance (some time-sensitive help included)
with Windows Xp SP3.

A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from
Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

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


Relevant Links:

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en

Need software to write that to CD?
ISORecorder page (with general instructions on use):
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
(* you need the proper hardware and media.)

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

How to scan your disks for errors (CHKDSK)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848

Belarc Advisor
http://belarc.com/free_download.html


** Hope that helps **

Please - come back - let us know how it goes for you. You may even
find your computer is working *better* if everything listed above
is done in the order shown.

hottroc wrote:
What a great post, thank you for your thorough and helpful reply.

I am somewhat surprised and a little annoyed that my SP3 is not
what it should be. The update seemed to go fine and gave me every
impression of success. Also seems to be working as far as I can
tell.
Also if some of my files are not latest SP3 versions then why the
hell doesn't Windows Update tell me so and offer to update them.

Still I will go through your post and follow the steps, but it will
have to wait a little longer till I have a bit more spare time.

Truthfully - if you have a beta version (pre-release) and you installed it
in November/December 2008... That took some effort or some definite mistakes
to lead you to a pre-release version as opposed to the final SP3 - given how
many months since the pre-release versions had been replaced with the full
release.

If it was a corrupt installation - it is possible that a pre-existing issue
caused the corrupt installation and there would be no real (practical) way
for anyone to test for every possibility (given the millions of differences
possible in any two systems) - so it can happen - you just may have been
'that lucky' - you may want to go play a lottery or two... *grin*

If you go through the steps I laid out - you should be okay.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


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