Help Removing SP3

[DemonicChocobo]

I just recently just got the notification for Service Pack 3 this morning, so I thought what the heck, might as well install it. Now I have a serious headache.

I started getting some problems such as, my headphones and speaker are no longer detected, and I can't play music or hear sound in videos. Strangely, some of the Windows sound effects will still play. Also, the Windows theme kept randomly switching back and forth from Classic to Standard. Paint gets an "encountered a problem and needs to close" message after I close it for some reason.

Anyway, after noticing those things I began to worry so I decided to get rid of the Service Pack. I found instructions here. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249/en-us

So, I attempted the first method and...the uninstaller crashes.

I then try the second method and...well obviously the uninstaller crashes.

Then I saw the third method and wondered why I didn't just do that to begin with. So, I opened System Restore and get a message about not being able to protect my computer or something and it closes. In desperation, I try again and the message doesn't come up this time. Relieved, I attempt to restore to before I installed the package. The computer begins to shut down...and then blue screens. This has never happened before. I start up again and now every time I try to SHUT DOWN the computer or system restore the computer blue screens before doing so. It's as if some evil force doesn't want me to remove this thing. Anyway, I can't do the final method because I can't find my XP CD and it would probably take me days to search through all my CDs.

So, can anyone please provide me some help either removing Service Pack 3 or resolving these issues so I won't have to remove it? Thanks.

[Belatucadrus]

Have you tried running the uninstall in Safe mode ? My brother had an absolute nightmare with it and that was the only way we could get rid of it.

XP SP3 in common with a lot of other software gives the old advisory that you should turn off all other software before installing it, most times this gets ignored but as you've seen SP3 can bite you badly if things don't go to plan and it really does pay to follow the advisory.

What anti virus have you got ? I've heard that SP3 & Norton don't play nice and my brother was certainly using it.

[DemonicChocobo]

Thanks for the reply. I actually turned off my anti-virus and closed most of my programs(though not all) before installing SP3, but yeah, I really should listen to the advisory next time.

Anyway, I attempted going into safe mode then running the uninstall, but the result was no different. (Service Pack 3 has encountered a problem and needs to close, etc.) Also, I discovered that a now get a blue screen from logging off from my user and restarting as well as when shutting down, as previously mentioned.

Anyway, any more suggestions?

[y2khardtop]

I've found the fastest and best solution would be to back up your data, do a clean install, and immediately install SP3 before installing ANYTHING or connecting to the internet. Once SP3 is up and running, then install your AV, go online, install programs and data.

I've not had any of the issues some have, and I've done about a dozen upgrades now, but I hate to hear of your issues.

[Irene]

Hello DemonicChocobo :)

It would be helpful to know what the error message and which error code is displayed. If the blue screen disappears before you can take a note of them, perform the following actions, then you will be able to see the error report.

Once you have these, post back to this thread.

To enable error reporting for your operating system

• Open System in Control Panel.
  
• On the Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery.
  
• Settings - UNcheck Automatically restart.
  

To open System, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.

When an operating system error occurs, the computer displays a blue screen containing error codes, and all computer operations stop. The error reporting dialog box will be displayed after you restart your computer.

[DemonicChocobo]

Got it.

STOP: c000021a {Fatal System Error}

The Windows Logon Process system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0x0000005 (0x00000000 0x00000000).

The system has been shut down.