XP SP3 frustration

Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation. The
first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so I
used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.

I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting. Lots
of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so I
cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.

When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.

If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.

How can I install SP3?

Download and install the standalone version of SP3.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

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

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Ken G." <> wrote in message news:5ED4B00C-F8AA-4FA8-8DD4-...
Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation. The
first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so I
used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.

I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting. Lots
of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so I
cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.

When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.

If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.

How can I install SP3?

Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Access is denied" or
"Service Pack installation did not complete"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

Also see:
How to reset security settings back to the defaults
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"Ken G." <> wrote in message
news:5ED4B00C-F8AA-4FA8-8DD4-...
| Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation. The
| first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
| disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so I
| used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.
|
| I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting. Lots
| of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
| that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
| through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so I
| cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.
|
| When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
| which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.
|
| If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.
|
| How can I install SP3?

In for a penny...

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

========================================
Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Ken G. wrote:
> Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation.
> The first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
> disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so
> I
> used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.
>
> I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting.
> Lots
> of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
> that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
> through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so
> I
> cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.
>
> When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
> which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.
>
> If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.
>
> How can I install SP3?

"Ken G." wrote:

> Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation. The
> first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
> disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so I
> used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.
>
> I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting. Lots
> of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
> that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
> through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so I
> cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.
>
> When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
> which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.
>
> If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.
>
> How can I install SP3?

"Ken G." wrote:

> Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation. The
> first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
> disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so I
> used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.
>
> I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting. Lots
> of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
> that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
> through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so I
> cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.
>
> When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
> which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.
>
> If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.
>
> How can I install SP3?

Alf, we are only volunteers here. If you wish to make a complaint, please contact
Microsoft.
--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"Alf P. Steinbach" <> wrote in message
news:vOCdnRwdu9O-...
|* PA Bear [MS MVP]:
| > In for a penny...
| >
| > WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
|
| Like, it's the customer's fault that our car doesn't work.
|
| Hey, you dumb customer, you forgot to follow the directions in KB article
| #123456, which clearly states that before attempting to start the car, you must,
| if this applies to your particular car (see detailed analysis procedure in KB
| article 7890A, only takes 20 hours to do), connect the red wire at location
| XYZ123 to a split you must introduce on the green wire at location ABC/&%¤#!
|
| And if the car still does not start, well, you have just failed to prepare it
| properly for start-up, it's your fault, plus, since you have messed with the
| innards all guarantees are now void, so sorry can't help you but will sue.
|
|
|
| >
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
|
|
| Free umlimited support except not actually available:
|
| > ========================================
| > Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
| > Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
| > e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
| >
| > • US:
| > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
| >
| >
| > • CA:
| > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
| >
| >
| > • UK:
| > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
| >
| >
| > • AU:
| > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
| >
| >
| > • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
| > select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
|
|
| Cheers,
|
| - Alf
|
| --
| A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
| Q: Why is it such a bad thing?
| A: Top-posting.
| Q: What is the most annoying thing on usenet and in e-mail?

Ken, I feel your frustration. I too can not get SP3 to work for the same
reason as you (Access Denied) I hesitated before I tried to install SP3,
here is why:

-Why break something that is not broke?
-I ran Win 95 until I could buy a new PC with XP SP2 on it.
-Past experience has shown me that making a major OS updated on a 3 year old
PC is not a good idea.
-Never received but 2 BSOD in 3 years, one was after a corrupt video driver
installation, the other was when I tried to install SP3.
-I have Windows Live OneCare (you would have thought it should have known I
am trying to install SP3 and unabled Virus and Spyware or basically turned
itself off. (But i digress)
-I also run Spybot S&D and have since it came out. I use my PC 8-10 hours a
day and not once has Live OneCare of Spybot found one single issue. (I
practice safe computing)

So what am I going to do?

Wait until I buy a new PC in a couple years with Vista SP5, or Windows 7 and
a SP or two have come out.

Again, why break something that is not broke.

Good Luck


"Ken G." <> wrote in message
news:5ED4B00C-F8AA-4FA8-8DD4-...
> Like others I'm having trouble installing SP 3 in my XP Pro installation.
> The
> first time it gave the "Access Denied" error, so I got onto this site,
> disabled my virus protection and firewall and tried again. Same error, so
> I
> used Smart Close to shut everything down and tried again - same error.
>
> I don't see the point in closing down all open programs and re-booting.
> Lots
> of stuff opens automatically on re-boot so they're all back. Any way I did
> that, turned off the antivirus etc and this time it got about half way
> through and just froze. I left it for over an hour and it didn't move, so
> I
> cancelled it. Goodness only knows what has or hasn't been done to my OS.
>
> When I ran Update again all it found was a 612mb upgrade to Office 2007
> which I only purchased 2 weeks ago.
>
> If Microsoft was a horse you'd have it put down.
>
> How can I install SP3?

Hi Taurarian,

I think many people who vent here would be happy to keep the MVPs out of it,
but they really don't know exactly to whom -- or where -- they should send
their complaints.

Is there some specific email address at Microsoft to which complaints and
comments regarding updates and Service packs can be sent??

Alan

"TaurArian" <> wrote in message
news:efkQq$...
> Alf, we are only volunteers here. If you wish to make a complaint, please
> contact
> Microsoft.
> --
>
> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
> http://taurarian.mvps.org
> ======================================
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
> Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
>
>
> "Alf P. Steinbach" <> wrote in message
> news:vOCdnRwdu9O-...
> |* PA Bear [MS MVP]:
> | > In for a penny...
> | >
> | > WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
> |
> | Like, it's the customer's fault that our car doesn't work.
> |
> | Hey, you dumb customer, you forgot to follow the directions in KB
> article
> | #123456, which clearly states that before attempting to start the car,
> you must,
> | if this applies to your particular car (see detailed analysis procedure
> in KB
> | article 7890A, only takes 20 hours to do), connect the red wire at
> location
> | XYZ123 to a split you must introduce on the green wire at location
> ABC/&%¤#!
> |
> | And if the car still does not start, well, you have just failed to
> prepare it
> | properly for start-up, it's your fault, plus, since you have messed with
> the
> | innards all guarantees are now void, so sorry can't help you but will
> sue.
> |
> |
> |
> | >
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
> |
> |
> | Free umlimited support except not actually available:
> |
> | > ========================================
> | > Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> | > Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
> and
> | > e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
> | >
> | > . US:
> | >
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> | >
> | >
> | > . CA:
> | >
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> | >
> | >
> | > . UK:
> | >
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> | >
> | >
> | > . AU:
> | >
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> | >
> | >
> | > . Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
> | > select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
> |
> |
> | Cheers,
> |
> | - Alf
> |
> | --
> | A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
> | Q: Why is it such a bad thing?
> | A: Top-posting.
> | Q: What is the most annoying thing on usenet and in e-mail?
>
>

Alan wrote:
> Hi Taurarian,
>
> I think many people who vent here would be happy to keep the MVPs out of it,
> but they really don't know exactly to whom -- or where -- they should send
> their complaints.
>
> Is there some specific email address at Microsoft to which complaints and
> comments regarding updates and Service packs can be sent??
>
> Alan

You are assuming, incorrectly, that MS cares what their paying customers
think.

Alias
>
> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
> news:efkQq$...
>> Alf, we are only volunteers here. If you wish to make a complaint, please
>> contact
>> Microsoft.
>> --
>>
>> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
>> http://taurarian.mvps.org
>> ======================================
>> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
>> Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
>>
>>
>> "Alf P. Steinbach" <> wrote in message
>> news:vOCdnRwdu9O-...
>> |* PA Bear [MS MVP]:
>> | > In for a penny...
>> | >
>> | > WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>> |
>> | Like, it's the customer's fault that our car doesn't work.
>> |
>> | Hey, you dumb customer, you forgot to follow the directions in KB
>> article
>> | #123456, which clearly states that before attempting to start the car,
>> you must,
>> | if this applies to your particular car (see detailed analysis procedure
>> in KB
>> | article 7890A, only takes 20 hours to do), connect the red wire at
>> location
>> | XYZ123 to a split you must introduce on the green wire at location
>> ABC/&%¤#!
>> |
>> | And if the car still does not start, well, you have just failed to
>> prepare it
>> | properly for start-up, it's your fault, plus, since you have messed with
>> the
>> | innards all guarantees are now void, so sorry can't help you but will
>> sue.
>> |
>> |
>> |
>> | >
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>> |
>> |
>> | Free umlimited support except not actually available:
>> |
>> | > ========================================
>> | > Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>> | > Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
>> and
>> | > e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>> | >
>> | > . US:
>> | >
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>> | >
>> | >
>> | > . CA:
>> | >
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>> | >
>> | >
>> | > . UK:
>> | >
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>> | >
>> | >
>> | > . AU:
>> | >
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>> | >
>> | >
>> | > . Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 |
>> | > select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>> |
>> |
>> | Cheers,
>> |
>> | - Alf
>> |
>> | --
>> | A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
>> | Q: Why is it such a bad thing?
>> | A: Top-posting.
>> | Q: What is the most annoying thing on usenet and in e-mail?
>>
>>
>
>