XP SP3 Failure with Spyware Doctor 5.5 or earlier

It was reported in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 951403 that "Spyware Doctor 5.5 or earlier versions of Spyware Doctor may cause Windows XP Service Pack 3 to stop responding when you try to install or to uninstall the service pack". Fortunately, the solution only requires disabling Spyware Doctor 5.5 (or earlier versions) during the install or uninstall process of Windows XP SP3.

Once again, the reminder to see the instructions at Recommendations before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3 before installing SP3 or, for that matter, making any major system change. Another good read is Harry Waldron's instructions in Windows XP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation.

Considering the headaches with a damaged install, isn't it worth the extra time to prepare first?

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Rumors of Extended Availability of Windows XP

Blogs, forums and news articles are filled with reports about Dell, HP and Lenova making Windows XP available after the June 30, 2008, OEM license availability date.

Until or unless Microsoft extends the date of product support for the Windows XP family and license availability, it certainly seems that vendors would be committing a major disservice to the public by continuing to offer the Windows XP operating system . As the date currently stands, mainstream support for Windows XP ends in April 2009, less than 10 months away. Extended support expires in 2014 (security fixes free all other help paid).

Rather than jeopardizing the security of their customers' computers, it appears that OEM manufacturers would rather put them at risk by selling an outdated operating system. Windows Vista was released to manufacturing over 18 months ago. Certainly sufficient time has lapsed for vendors to upgrade software to be compatible with Windows Vista. If this hasn't happened, you can be assured that it is intentional on the part of the vendor and the product will likely not be updated.

The one exception to the availability of Windows XP is for OLPC's (One Laptop Per Child) XO laptops. While the end date for all other OEM and retail licenses of Windows XP operating systems have a June 30, 2008 end date, the new OEM end date for will be the Ultra Low-Cost PCs will be the later of either June 30, 2010, or one year after the general availability of the next version of Windows.

References:

• Lifecycle Information for Windows Client Products
• Look! Windows on the OLPC XO!
• Microsoft and One Laptop per Child Partner to Deliver Affordable Computing to Students Worldwide
• Windows Life-Cycle Policy

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Windows XP SP3 and the Reboot Loop

Many people are aware of the issue with SP3 on OEM (original equipment manufacturer) machines with an AMD chip on an image that was originally Intel-based. The Microsoft Update Product Team blog describes the problem in More on Windows XP Service Pack 3...

"The problem is a registry value, present on images created w/ Intel processors, that causes a driver (intelppm.sys) to load at boot. When intelppm.sys attempts to load on an AMD-based system upon the install of SP3, it causes a blue screen and the continuous reboot."

Although the Update Product Team reports that a filter will be added to block SP3 from affected systems and are investigating a fix (See Edit Note below), Jesper has a complete explanation of the problem as well as a tool he has created to easily repair affected computers. You can find it at "Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3?".

Please note that SP3 is not on Automatic Updates yet. It is, however, available from Windows Update. Also remember that Microsoft is providing free, unlimited installation and compatibility support for Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) through April 14, 2009. Additional information is available at http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131


Edit Note 12 June 2008:

See *Update for Windows XP (KB953356)*

Locale: English

Deployment: Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog

Classification: High Priority, Non-Security

Target platforms: Windows XP

Approximate file sizes: ~ 509KB

Description:

Install this update to resolve an issue in which your computer may
restart continuously after you upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3 on
systems with non-Intel processors. After you install this item, you may
have to restart your computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894199

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...