Windows XP Fresh Install Issues?

[KuraKai]

Ok so my uncle needed help fixing his computers, the issue and he already knew this was that it was loaded with viruses/spyware/etc. He backed everything up and wanted it freshly installed, everything brand spanking new and such. So I set out to do this and here is a step by step instructions for what I did.

Format HDD

Install Windows XP Pro - Windows CD

Install Service Pack 2 - Windows CD

Install Office 2003 - Windows CD

Install ESET NOD32 - Security Suite

Install Network Drivers - Intel

Install Graphics Driver - ATI

Install Sound Blaster 5.1 Drivers

Install Adobe Photoshop CS3 - Download

Update Windows - AKA Service Pack 3

So after doing this it has come down to every time he turns on the computer it does this

Boots Up

Login As Him - Default Account / No Password Yet

ATI Catalyst Error - Needs .NET Framework 2.0

ESET Popup - Default / Lets you know it is online

Windows Update Icon - Says there are more updates to download

About this time maybe a bit before the update part you will try to move the mouse around, and BAM restarted. Nothing in between just black screen and it starts booting up all over again. The only thing I can think of that is having issues would be SP3? But why the hell does it break something down from the start?! I would only expect it to happen if it was bloated with crap and what not. I am A+ Certified and I know what I am doing generally, but what the hell just happened here?!

[KuraKai]

Ok so after looking around I believe I found the issue, of course it is Service Pack 3!!! Now the issue is how do I go about fixing it? I will have to mess around with his computer some time.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Welcome to the Windows Forum.

The only known issue of XP-SP3 is with AMD processors. Does that computer have an AMD processor?

Regarding the .NET Framework 2.0 issue; install it from http://www.update.microsoft.com/ - it's under Optional Updates.

[KuraKai]

Looking at the Specs it is a Dell Dimension 8250 or an Dell 8250 something, It's a 2001 computer. The Specs say it is running a Pentium 4, the only thing ATI/AMD is the graphics card. I am going to try and boot into safe mode and see if I can uninstall Windows SP3.

And yes I know you can download it, I program for C#. The only issue is that....SPONTANEOUS REBOOTS!

Side Note: I did reboot several times before the windows update to SP3, it only started happening after SP3.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

The "endless reboot" symptom after SP3 seems to be mainly a HP (Hewlett-Packard) issue. Is it a HP computer? If so, look if this helps.

[KuraKai]

Ok so I went over again to uninstall SP3, went back to SP2 no problem. Safe Mode was accessible and it ran without problems. After SP3 was gone it was still suffering the same problems. Went back into Safe Mode with Networking and messed around, there where only a few things it could of been.

Graphics Driver

Sound Driver

ESET

Photoshop CS3

Ruled out the last two because they are known to work without problems mostly on a fresh install. So I removed the Graphics Driver/s turned out there where multiple installed? Once that was done it worked out nicely, just had to reinstall the drivers. So apparently SP3 installed a ATI Graphics Driver that was being faulty or something; cause before hand there was only one driver, after SP3 two drivers and causing issues? Well anyways my uncle is staying with SP2 for now until he is sure that SP3 is fully cleaned out. It was a Dell not an HP, Intel Processor, and just had issues with a ATI Graphics Card.

I am not going to bother trying is on my laptop cause it is AMD Processor and I don't want to risk it. So far it has added up to that Microsoft hates AMD/ATI for some odd reason with SP3. Oh well only thing I can say is I learned something new and I am glad I don't have a Mac. (Another Story)

-Case Closed-

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

So far it has added up to that Microsoft hates AMD/ATI for some odd reason with SP3.

It was not Microsoft, but HP who did it.