Win Xp Update Question

[opalhort]

Hi,

I have some problems about getting WIN XP updates from M$.

Details (all legit OS):

PC1: WIN XP pro, installed SP3 when it was in the last Beta version

PC2: WIN XP pro, installed SP3 when M$ offered it via their update site

Now

PC1 does not receive any updates, even manual checking with the M$ update site says no updates are available for this PC (this for the past few months since I installed the Beta SP3)

PC2 has no problems regarding updates.

Both PCs are set to receive the updates but let me decide what and when to install.

Question: how can I get PC1 to get the latest updates?

opalhort

[MKAsok]

Reinstall non-beta SP3 on PC1 is probably your best bet.

[opalhort]

Reinstall non-beta SP3 on PC1 is probably your best bet.

Yes this makes sense, but I recall having read somewhere that you can not install the final SP3 over the beta version and uninstalling the Beta SP3 is problematic.

I'm not in the mood to experiment and end-up with a PC where I have to re-install everything.

opalhort

[MKAsok]

I'm not in the mood to experiment and end-up with a PC where I have to re-install everything.

No offence opalhort, but do you really want to be stuck with a beta version of SP3? The reason it's beta is because it's most likely unstable. Do you really want an unstable OS? I'd get rid of it. Back up everything then use Method 3 (system restore) from here.

mk

[sjaak327]

Yep, get rid of SP3 beta, just try and deinstall it, I don't think it will kill your machine.

To answer your question directly, you can of course always manually download the updates, they will probably install.

I would use system restore only as a last resort, as it will wipe out every program installed after SP3.

[opalhort]

No offence opalhort, but do you really want to be stuck with a beta version of SP3? The reason it's beta is because it's most likely unstable. Do you really want an unstable OS? I'd get rid of it. Back up everything then use Method 3 (system restore) from here.

mk

No offence taken and thanks for your advise.

Of course you are correct, but I installed SP3 beta a long time ago and the relevant restore point is no longer available.

It (SP3) does show up in the Add/remove programs section.

My questions are:

1. can I remove SP3 beta using add/remove?

2. will this affect any programs I have installed after the installation of SP3 beta?

or

3. can I simply install the final SP3 over the beta version?

opalhort

[opalhort]

To answer your question directly, you can of course always manually download the updates, they will probably install.

This is exactly what I tried but the M$ update site told me that my PC1 is up-to-date and no new updates are available.

Yes, I know the updates can be found somewhere but how would I know which ones I need?

I have the feeling that the installation of SP3 beta set a flag somewhere on PC1 to tell the M$ update site that I'm up-to-date.

Could this be a registry entry or a cooky?

opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

Open the Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs and uninstall SP3 from there.

You ca also use your Original XP CD and run a Repair by using the second Repar option which will show up after the Eula screen. That will reinstall XP without of loosing data but with out the Updates, incl. SP3 Beta. After that install the final SP3.

Cheers.

[opalhort]

Thanks Reimar,

will give it a try tomorrow.

regrads

opalhort

[MikeWill]

opalhort,

Would you please update us with the results...

[opalhort]

opalhort,

Would you please update us with the results...

Sorry, due to work matters I'll not be able to get going on it until later next week.

Right now I need the PC the way it is working. (don't like to kill it just yet)

Will give an update as soon as I've done the un-re-install.

opalhort

[JetsetBkk]

...Will give an update as soon as I've done the un-re-install.

opalhort

You could give this a try. It might save a lot of unnecessary work:

After installing Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Update won't work.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 installs a new version of Windows Update, but it forgets to register it.

Try the following:

Log on as an administrator, and run cmd.exe, and issue the following commands:

> net stop wuauserv

> cd \windows\system32

> regsvr32 wups2.dll

> net start wuauserv

From here: http://en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-255-no-win...-windows-xp-sp3

[Guest Reimar]

...Will give an update as soon as I've done the un-re-install.

opalhort

You could give this a try. It might save a lot of unnecessary work:

After installing Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Update won't work.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 installs a new version of Windows Update, but it forgets to register it.

Try the following:

Log on as an administrator, and run cmd.exe, and issue the following commands:

> net stop wuauserv

> cd \windows\system32

> regsvr32 wups2.dll

> net start wuauserv

From here: http://en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-255-no-win...-windows-xp-sp3

You miss the point!

Opalhort has SP3 Beta installed and that needs to be uninstalled before he'll be able to upgrade to the final SP3.

Cheers.

[MikeWill]

Guys, let's boil down on the real problem instead of wrangling on personal matters.

I think that I have a similar problem, though I am not exactly clear what is the status of my SP3. My system is reported as:

Microsoft Windows XP

Professional

Version 2002

Service Pack 3. v.3311

Although, I had a problem during the installation of my SP3 (it was not a beta release). The problem was related to the "gdi32.dll" in the system32 folder.

In order to correct the problem, I was advised to replace the copy of gdi32.dll file with the one ( v.5.1.2600.3311) in:

windows\servicepackfiles\i386 directory.

I underlined 3311, since I think it came from the replaced file version. I'm not sure what is the status of my SP3, though was told that it is not a final release.

I also tried to uninstall SP3, but I got a long list of programs that could be affected if go ahead and uninstall it.

So, I'm not sure what to do.

Edited November 10, 2008 by Condo_bk

[opalhort]

Thank you very much for all your replies.

Please do not get into heated arguments because of my question.

Will work on it later this week.

I did install SP3 after Reimar published SP3 RC1, which I guess would not qualify as a beta version.

A check with winver shows SP3 version 3244

Thanks again for your help.

opalhort

[JetsetBkk]

You miss the point!

Opalhort has SP3 Beta installed and that needs to be uninstalled before he'll be able to upgrade to the final SP3.

Cheers.

I didn't miss the point at all, but I can't be bothered arguing with you as you take every suggestion that I make as a personal attack on you.

Good luck opalhort.

[Guest Reimar]

Any version BEFORE RTM (Ready To Manufacturer) is considered as BETA, which includes RC (Release Candidate) versions as well.

JetsetBKK:

but I can't be bothered arguing with you as you take every suggestion that I make as a personal attack on you.

This is maybe everything but true. Please read the PM I've send you because maybe your forget something to realize. But I do NOT like to bring personal disputes on the public forum.

That I was just clear what the OP was meaning is for sure not an attack, just a clarification.

Condo_bk:

You can easy use the Repair function for XP to "uninstall" the SP3 Beta.

For to do so, boot from your XP CD (the same which was used to install XP), ignore the first option Repair but use the next one which will come after the EULA (End User License Agreement) Screen.

That will reinstall XP without to loose any driver or programs but without SP3 which you need to install again later. Maybe some of the drivers you need again, so have the Driver CD's ready.

Cheers.

[opalhort]

Update on my SP3 un-re-install project:

I did the un-install as advised by Reimar.

Took almost 30 minutes and along the way got a long list of programs which may no longer work after un-install. But all the listed programs are minor (AVG, Spybot S&D, some Nokia and Epson software etc.), which can easily be re-installed if needed.

After the required re-start Win went straight into update mode (download but not yet install) according to settings.

It is now one hour since the restart and the update downlod is only 4% complete (on a good 1Mbps True connection), so I guess it is now downloading everything including SP3. - Will have to wait and see.

Currently the PC is running on this OS version:

I plan to run the PC on SP2 for 1-2 days to make sure no important software has been affected by the SP3 un-install.

When satisfied I will install everything M$ is currently downloding to me incl. SP3

Thanks for all the advise you provided me with.

opalhort

[benjamat]

As far as I can see no one is wrong here, just trying to help. In 25 years of using and setting up pc's I know that with MS there is almost always more than one way to skin a cat.

Come on chaps, put the egos back in the box, were only talking about pc;s here.

Edited November 15, 2008 by benjamat

[snuggzzz]

I acknowledge the advice from all posts, including opposing views, that gives us choice, which we all have on TV. Thank you Gentlemen / Ladies, for sharing your wise and undoubted knowledge from each end of the spectrum of pertinent issues.....

[Gary A]

My original retail XP Pro disk is dated 2002. I installed the old package and selected the automatic up dates. It allowed me to use the computer and prompted once in a while to reboot to install the downloads. After a couple of days came the final update which was SP3. I avoided interfering with any of the automated updates. My computer is now up to date.

My key code was no longer valid for some reason so a call to MS was needed. Within about five minutes I was given a new code and everything is working fine.

[opalhort]

Update:

Did install final SP3 and all appears to be working okay, updates come down as they should.

Initially had a minor problem with most international web-sites and auto-updates of AVG and BoClean (servers could not be found).

Cleaned the IE cache and flushed the DNS records and now all appears to be working the way it should, even the boot (Win loading) is faster than before.

opalhort

[MikeWill]

thanks for the update, opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

Any problems while uninstalling SP3 Beta?

Cheers.

[opalhort]

Any problems while uninstalling SP3 Beta?

Cheers.

No problems (see post #18 above).

Only minor problem for me was that the un-install can not be paused/stopped --> caused my CPU to run into overheat (82°C) for 3 minutes. Heat is a known problem with this PC and has nothing to do with the SP3 un-install.

Thanks for your help Reimar,

opalhort

Edited November 19, 2008 by opalhort

[opalhort]

I have one more question which may or may not be related to the SP3 issue.

After I installed SP3 RC1 on one PC some time ago the fonds in web forms (items to be entered, the forms itself were okay size) and OE6 became VERY small, also menues of some other M$ software became micro size.

The recent un-install SP3 RC1 and re-install final SP3 did not resolve this issue.

Here is a screen shot of OE6 on the PC in question (no problems on other PCs-also on SP3, but which never had the Beta(RC1) version installed!)

Any ideas?

Thanks

opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

I have one more question which may or may not be related to the SP3 issue.

After I installed SP3 RC1 on one PC some time ago the fonds in web forms (items to be entered, the forms itself were okay size) and OE6 became VERY small, also menues of some other M$ software became micro size.

The recent un-install SP3 RC1 and re-install final SP3 did not resolve this issue.

Here is a screen shot of OE6 on the PC in question (no problems on other PCs-also on SP3, but which never had the Beta(RC1) version installed!)

Any ideas?

Thanks

opalhort

Unfortunate I can't tell anything because I never used OE or Outlook in whatever edition for myself!

Had you checked the Font seting via the Option or Properties menue?

Cheers.

[opalhort]

Hi Reimar,

checked everything and fumbled around with everything that let me fumble. - No Luck -

This problem is not only with OE6!!!!

It also affects other M$ software, including online forms in IE6.

Here are two more screen shots of our M$ Access database:

As you can see the fonds in the basic window are okay but everything else is in microscopic size.

I guess an entry in the registry may need some adjustment, but which one?

opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

In OE, E and Office you've the Menubar an buttom View! Click on that buttom and check the settings for Encoding. Set the ecodong to Western European (ISO 8859) and check also the other settings. Could be that those settings are wrong.

Cheers.

[Guest Reimar]

Just a question: The XP version you use, is it a Thai XP? which means that you get some outputs in Thai instead of English, special if you install drivers pp. the infor screen coming in Thai?!

Cheers.