Where'd SP3 Go?

I had one of those notices (the little yellow shield icon in my
systray)when I booted up today saying that new updates were available
for my computer, and the icon's details said it was XP SP3, so I hit
the the "download" button and the icon disappeared and nothing
downloaded. I rebooted my computer to see if the icon would come back
and it didn't. The I went to the normal Microsoft Program Update site
and let it check my system for available updates and it only showed the
latest Windows Authentication update being available, nothing else.

What gives?

Alf
Wed May 07 11:58:31 PDT 2008

* user@domain.invalid:
> I had one of those notices (the little yellow shield icon in my
> systray)when I booted up today saying that new updates were available
> for my computer, and the icon's details said it was XP SP3, so I hit
> the the "download" button and the icon disappeared and nothing
> downloaded. I rebooted my computer to see if the icon would come back
> and it didn't. The I went to the normal Microsoft Program Update site
> and let it check my system for available updates and it only showed the
> latest Windows Authentication update being available, nothing else.
>
> What gives?

It's a little buggy.

See e.g. earlier thread "XP SP3 hung, hung and crashed (3 failures)": trying to
install SP3 can cause problems.

I have decided to wait until bugfix is issued, which might mean never installing
the beast, but I did want it because I've read that it improves performance.
This in spite of the horrendous End User's License Agreement. It's the Windows
Mediaplayer EULA again (not the .NET one where you're prohibited from reporting
performance to others), granting Microsoft all rights to snoop on you at will
and silently installing anything they fancy, like for example Digital Rights
Management that prevents you from playing your MP3 files, or whatever, but I
think the risk of that is less than benefits from SP3, if it worked!


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?

MowGreen
Wed May 07 12:44:10 PDT 2008

If you open the WindowsUpdate.log located in the WINDOWS directory
[folder], scroll down towards the bottom for the most recent entries,
then you most likely will see an entry that is similar to this -

> Update D150960B-450B-4BC8-A9E1-440E18DB1B48 is "Priority" regulated and can NOT download.
> Sequence 5086 vs AcceptRate 0.

That means that they system has taken a 'number' in a queue and when the
Sequence number is reached, SP3 will download.
If you are impatient about obtaining SP3 you can download the entire
package from either the MS Download Center
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

or the Microsoft Update Catalog [ using Internet Explorer]
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=Windows%20XP%20Service%20Pack%203

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

The above MSKB has a list of errors and links to KB articles that show
how to resolve the errors.
It also shows *why* some systems are *not* being offered SP3.

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service
Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


user@domain.invalid wrote:

> I had one of those notices (the little yellow shield icon in my
> systray)when I booted up today saying that new updates were available
> for my computer, and the icon's details said it was XP SP3, so I hit
> the the "download" button and the icon disappeared and nothing
> downloaded. I rebooted my computer to see if the icon would come back
> and it didn't. The I went to the normal Microsoft Program Update site
> and let it check my system for available updates and it only showed the
> latest Windows Authentication update being available, nothing else.
>
> What gives?

RoseW
Wed May 07 13:32:30 PDT 2008

MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
| If you open the WindowsUpdate.log located in the WINDOWS directory
| [folder], scroll down towards the bottom for the most recent entries,
| then you most likely will see an entry that is similar to this -
|
|| Update D150960B-450B-4BC8-A9E1-440E18DB1B48 is "Priority" regulated
|| and can NOT download. Sequence 5086 vs AcceptRate 0.
|
| That means that they system has taken a 'number' in a queue and when
| the Sequence number is reached, SP3 will download.
| If you are impatient about obtaining SP3 you can download the entire
| package from either the MS Download Center
|
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en
|
| or the Microsoft Update Catalog [ using Internet Explorer]
|
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=Windows%20XP%20Service%20Pack%203
|
| Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
| http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
|
| The above MSKB has a list of errors and links to KB articles that show
| how to resolve the errors.
| It also shows *why* some systems are *not* being offered SP3.
|
| How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service
| Pack 3
| http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718
|
|
| MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
| ===============
| *-343-* FDNY
| Never Forgotten
| ===============

I noted your above explaination for the 'non action' of the update icon
which appeared today and checked the Steps to Take link.
Looking in my log I find in the last lines:
A18CC936-DA41-421F-9AD9-303D806EC128 is "PerUpdate" regulated and can NOT
download. Sequence 4671 vs AcceptRate 0.
I'm not keen on the 350Mb download and I'm fairly certain this machine is up
to date and includes IE7.
My questions are:
I wonder if ONLY the 'stuff' that is needed will be provided in this Sp3
update patch?
If the tea timer portion of Spybot search and destroy is running should it
be shut off before clicking on the icon whenever it reappears?
AVG antivirus also has similar features now with V8 and I wonder if it
should be shut off since it could be a lengthy download?
Rose



--
http://rwgallery.webng.com/index.html

MowGreen
Wed May 07 14:11:45 PDT 2008

YES to all 3 questions, Rose. Please see:

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



MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


RoseW wrote:

> MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
> | If you open the WindowsUpdate.log located in the WINDOWS directory
> | [folder], scroll down towards the bottom for the most recent entries,
> | then you most likely will see an entry that is similar to this -
> |
> || Update D150960B-450B-4BC8-A9E1-440E18DB1B48 is "Priority" regulated
> || and can NOT download. Sequence 5086 vs AcceptRate 0.
> |
> | That means that they system has taken a 'number' in a queue and when
> | the Sequence number is reached, SP3 will download.
> | If you are impatient about obtaining SP3 you can download the entire
> | package from either the MS Download Center
> |
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en
> |
> | or the Microsoft Update Catalog [ using Internet Explorer]
> |
> http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=Windows%20XP%20Service%20Pack%203
> |
> | Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
> | http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
> |
> | The above MSKB has a list of errors and links to KB articles that show
> | how to resolve the errors.
> | It also shows *why* some systems are *not* being offered SP3.
> |
> | How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service
> | Pack 3
> | http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718
> |
> |
> | MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
> | ===============
> | *-343-* FDNY
> | Never Forgotten
> | ===============
>
> I noted your above explaination for the 'non action' of the update icon
> which appeared today and checked the Steps to Take link.
> Looking in my log I find in the last lines:
> A18CC936-DA41-421F-9AD9-303D806EC128 is "PerUpdate" regulated and can NOT
> download. Sequence 4671 vs AcceptRate 0.
> I'm not keen on the 350Mb download and I'm fairly certain this machine is up
> to date and includes IE7.
> My questions are:
> I wonder if ONLY the 'stuff' that is needed will be provided in this Sp3
> update patch?
> If the tea timer portion of Spybot search and destroy is running should it
> be shut off before clicking on the icon whenever it reappears?
> AVG antivirus also has similar features now with V8 and I wonder if it
> should be shut off since it could be a lengthy download?
> Rose
>
>
>

user
Wed May 07 14:18:22 PDT 2008

OK, thank you. I do have such a log entry.

I do not leave my computer running at night. Might I miss the download
if the sequence is reached and my computer is off? Will it download the
next time I boot up?

I don't mind it downloading unattended, but not installing, as I need to
manage my anti virus program during installation, and I wouldn't leave
it disabled for some unspecified time that it takes for SP3 to download
and install on its own. So I'm assuming it will just download and not
install until I install it.


MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
> If you open the WindowsUpdate.log located in the WINDOWS directory
> [folder], scroll down towards the bottom for the most recent entries,
> then you most likely will see an entry that is similar to this -
>
>> Update D150960B-450B-4BC8-A9E1-440E18DB1B48 is "Priority" regulated
>> and can NOT download. Sequence 5086 vs AcceptRate 0.
>
> That means that they system has taken a 'number' in a queue and when the
> Sequence number is reached, SP3 will download.
> If you are impatient about obtaining SP3 you can download the entire
> package from either the MS Download Center
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en
>
>
> or the Microsoft Update Catalog [ using Internet Explorer]
> http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=Windows%20XP%20Service%20Pack%203
>
>
> Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>
> The above MSKB has a list of errors and links to KB articles that show
> how to resolve the errors.
> It also shows *why* some systems are *not* being offered SP3.
>
> How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service
> Pack 3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718
>
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>
> user@domain.invalid wrote:
>
>> I had one of those notices (the little yellow shield icon in my
>> systray)when I booted up today saying that new updates were available
>> for my computer, and the icon's details said it was XP SP3, so I hit
>> the the "download" button and the icon disappeared and nothing
>> downloaded. I rebooted my computer to see if the icon would come back
>> and it didn't. The I went to the normal Microsoft Program Update site
>> and let it check my system for available updates and it only showed
>> the latest Windows Authentication update being available, nothing else.
>>
>> What gives?

MowGreen
Wed May 07 15:03:28 PDT 2008

user@domain.invalid wrote:

> OK, thank you. I do have such a log entry.
>
> I do not leave my computer running at night. Might I miss the download
> if the sequence is reached and my computer is off? Will it download the
> next time I boot up?
>
> I don't mind it downloading unattended, but not installing, as I need to
> manage my anti virus program during installation, and I wouldn't leave
> it disabled for some unspecified time that it takes for SP3 to download
> and install on its own. So I'm assuming it will just download and not
> install until I install it.
>
>

If the computer is off at night and the Sequence number is reached, the
next time the system is booted up it will notify you that SP3 is ready
to be downloaded.
I agree that leaving the AV off while the system is connected to the
internet is not good practice. As long as you have Automatic Updates set
to ' Download updates for me, but ... ', SP3 will not install.

I *think* one has to also agree to a EULA during the installation
process, too. Since I'll be installing the manually downloaded package
shortly, I can not confirm the behavior via Automatic Updates in regards
to agreeing to the EULA.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

PA
Wed May 07 17:14:33 PDT 2008

Absent any Errors in your windowsupdate.log, you may be seeing a delay
caused by excessive demand on the servers. It can take up to 7 days (or
more) for all Automatic Update users to get new updates when so many have
been released. [MS originally said that SP3 start being "pushed" via
Automatic Updates in "early summer."]

You can try downloading/installing SP3 via Windows/Microsoft Update:
Understand that by doing so, you're pushing all the Automatic Updates users
further back in the queue (which may explain, at least in part, why
Automatic Updates hasn't brought them in for you yet).

<IMHO>
Temporarily disable all real-time protections afforded by your anti-virus
application, any anti-spyware applications, and any third-party firewall
prior to installing SP3. If you disable a third-party firewall, make sure
you then enable the Windows Firewall: The machine should not be connected to
the internet without an active firewall.

After installing SP3 /and rebooting twice/, check to make sure your
real-time protections have been re-enabled; If you disabled a third-party
firewall, remember to re-enable it and disable the Windows Firewall.
</IMHO>
--
~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/


user@domain.invalid wrote:
> OK, thank you. I do have such a log entry.
>
> I do not leave my computer running at night. Might I miss the download
> if the sequence is reached and my computer is off? Will it download the
> next time I boot up?
>
> I don't mind it downloading unattended, but not installing, as I need to
> manage my anti virus program during installation, and I wouldn't leave
> it disabled for some unspecified time that it takes for SP3 to download
> and install on its own. So I'm assuming it will just download and not
> install until I install it.
>
>
> MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
>> If you open the WindowsUpdate.log located in the WINDOWS directory
>> [folder], scroll down towards the bottom for the most recent entries,
>> then you most likely will see an entry that is similar to this -
>>
>>> Update D150960B-450B-4BC8-A9E1-440E18DB1B48 is "Priority" regulated
>>> and can NOT download. Sequence 5086 vs AcceptRate 0.
>>
>> That means that they system has taken a 'number' in a queue and when the
>> Sequence number is reached, SP3 will download.
>> If you are impatient about obtaining SP3 you can download the entire
>> package from either the MS Download Center
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en
>>
>>
>> or the Microsoft Update Catalog [ using Internet Explorer]
>> http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=Windows%20XP%20Service%20Pack%203
>>
>>
>> Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>
>> The above MSKB has a list of errors and links to KB articles that show
>> how to resolve the errors.
>> It also shows *why* some systems are *not* being offered SP3.
>>
>> How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service
>> Pack 3
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718
>>
>>
>> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
>> ===============
>> *-343-* FDNY
>> Never Forgotten
>> ===============
>>
>>
>> user@domain.invalid wrote:
>>
>>> I had one of those notices (the little yellow shield icon in my
>>> systray)when I booted up today saying that new updates were available
>>> for my computer, and the icon's details said it was XP SP3, so I hit
>>> the the "download" button and the icon disappeared and nothing
>>> downloaded. I rebooted my computer to see if the icon would come back
>>> and it didn't. The I went to the normal Microsoft Program Update site
>>> and let it check my system for available updates and it only showed
>>> the latest Windows Authentication update being available, nothing else.
>>>
>>> What gives?

PA
Wed May 07 17:15:14 PDT 2008

MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
<snipperoo>
> I *think* one has to also agree to a EULA during the installation
> process, too.

Yes. The EULA must be approved before SP3 will install.
--
~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/

MowGreen
Wed May 07 17:47:02 PDT 2008

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

> Absent any Errors in your windowsupdate.log, you may be seeing a delay
> caused by excessive demand on the servers. It can take up to 7 days (or
> more) for all Automatic Update users to get new updates when so many
> have been released. [MS originally said that SP3 start being "pushed"
> via Automatic Updates in "early summer."]
>
> You can try downloading/installing SP3 via Windows/Microsoft Update:
> Understand that by doing so, you're pushing all the Automatic Updates
> users further back in the queue (which may explain, at least in part,
> why Automatic Updates hasn't brought them in for you yet).
>
> <IMHO>
> Temporarily disable all real-time protections afforded by your
> anti-virus application, any anti-spyware applications, and any
> third-party firewall prior to installing SP3. If you disable a
> third-party firewall, make sure you then enable the Windows Firewall:
> The machine should not be connected to the internet without an active
> firewall.
>
> After installing SP3 /and rebooting twice/, check to make sure your
> real-time protections have been re-enabled; If you disabled a
> third-party firewall, remember to re-enable it and disable the Windows
> Firewall.
> </IMHO>
=======================================================================================================


I only rebooted once. Should I do it again ? <eg>

Signed,
Steve Jobs

MG

Alan
Wed May 07 20:13:55 PDT 2008

Alf,

I will admit that I didn't carefully read the EULA before installing SP3.
Well, to be more precise I didn't read it un-carefully either.

What is this about the Mediaplayer and Digital Rights Management that you're
mentioning?

Alan

"Alf P. Steinbach" <alfps@start.no> wrote in message
news:tLqdnWl5CKpKZrzVnZ2dnUVZ_jGdnZ2d@comnet...
>* user@domain.invalid:
>
> It's a little buggy.
>
> See e.g. earlier thread "XP SP3 hung, hung and crashed (3 failures)":
> trying to install SP3 can cause problems.
>
> I have decided to wait until bugfix is issued, which might mean never
> installing the beast, but I did want it because I've read that it improves
> performance. This in spite of the horrendous End User's License Agreement.
> It's the Windows Mediaplayer EULA again (not the .NET one where you're
> prohibited from reporting performance to others), granting Microsoft all
> rights to snoop on you at will and silently installing anything they
> fancy, like for example Digital Rights Management that prevents you from
> playing your MP3 files, or whatever, but I think the risk of that is less
> than benefits from SP3, if it worked!
>
>
> 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?

Alf
Thu May 08 05:58:54 PDT 2008

Well I think if you're interested in the details it's your job to read & perhaps
research the EULA's that you accept, but to help answer your question I just
typed "Windows Mediaplayer EULA" in the Firefox address bar and in the search
result list near the top was e.g. <url:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/06/30/ms_security_patch_eula_gives/>.

Microsoft's End User License Agreement have evolved from the simple "this
program has no guarantees, won't necessarily do what we've said it does, MS is
not responsible for any damage it does, and you're not allowed to copy the
program" to that + "MS can install whatever, silently, on your computer" + "MS
can collect any information from your computer, silently" + "you're not allowed
to report on the program's performance", all expressed in incomprehensible
lawyerese. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.

According the MS EULAs, at least, what you're buying or getting is not some
useful software but some software that probably is directly harmful, plus an
invasion of privacy, plus that your computer is no longer yours, except
physically. One almost longs for Borland's old so-called "No-nonsense license
agreement". However, Borland, or what once was Borland, is unfortunately dead.


Cheers,

- Alf (quoting my own sig in addition to top-posting just for fun :-) )


* Alan:
> Alf,
>
> I will admit that I didn't carefully read the EULA before installing SP3.
> Well, to be more precise I didn't read it un-carefully either.
>
> What is this about the Mediaplayer and Digital Rights Management that you're
> mentioning?
>
> Alan
>
> "Alf P. Steinbach" <alfps@start.no> wrote in message
> news:tLqdnWl5CKpKZrzVnZ2dnUVZ_jGdnZ2d@comnet...
>> * user@domain.invalid:
>>
>> It's a little buggy.
>>
>> See e.g. earlier thread "XP SP3 hung, hung and crashed (3 failures)":
>> trying to install SP3 can cause problems.
>>
>> I have decided to wait until bugfix is issued, which might mean never
>> installing the beast, but I did want it because I've read that it improves
>> performance. This in spite of the horrendous End User's License Agreement.
>> It's the Windows Mediaplayer EULA again (not the .NET one where you're
>> prohibited from reporting performance to others), granting Microsoft all
>> rights to snoop on you at will and silently installing anything they
>> fancy, like for example Digital Rights Management that prevents you from
>> playing your MP3 files, or whatever, but I think the risk of that is less
>> than benefits from SP3, if it worked!
>>
>>
>> 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?
>
>


--
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?