XP SP3 Installation Problems

Apologies in advance if I've selected the wrong subgroup...

After three unsuccessful attempts to install XP SP3 via Windows Update, I am
once again restored back to SP2 and posting to this group. I am receiving the
same error each time, it freezes up on the Windows XP welcome screen with the
moving bar of little blue tiles still scrolling along the bottom of the
screen. The first time I downloaded and installed via Windows Update with all
programs closed or disabaled with the exception of McAfee VirusScan, my
mistake. On the two subsequent installations, I had McAfee and all other
programs closed, but Windows Update showed the executable as already
downloaded and ready to install. Sounds like the damage was already done, so
I tried to think through how I could "reset the clock". I could not find the
"successful" SP3 via Add/Remove Programs, so there is evidently no way for me
to "reset" my status via Windows Update and re-download from that location.
Restore kept saving me but did not "reset the clock" on the SP3 download
either, Windows Update just kept saying that I had already downloaded the
file. I did manage to find and download the full, "IT professional" 300MB+
standalone update from Microsoft Download Manager this evening, but I'm going
to hold off installing until I hear from someone in this forum that it makes
sense, would make any difference, or better yet, why I would go through this
entire install/restore sequence for a FOURTH time when I don't know why I
should even bother?? SP2 and my computer in general worked without issue for
years until today, I made the mistake of trusting that Microsoft would make a
painless, seamless, transparent upgrade/update like all of the others that
I've downloaded via Windows Update prior to today, very very disappointed.
Up until today, I am current on everything from both a Windows and Office
perspective, I don't know whether to just give up, move to Vista, or just
keep on using SP2 and ignore any suggestions to update to SP3. Maybe someone
hasn't worked the kinks out of this thing yet. Is SP3 worth all of this
trouble? Someone please tell me, thanks.

Win XP SP3 tech net forum:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/...2010&SiteID=17

"MB" <MB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:835B6F68-0A24-4ECB-9CF9-AD57EF2D532E@microsoft.com...

> Apologies in advance if I've selected the wrong subgroup...
>
> After three unsuccessful attempts to install XP SP3 via Windows Update, I
> am
> once again restored back to SP2 and posting to this group. I am receiving
> the
> same error each time, it freezes up on the Windows XP welcome screen with
> the
> moving bar of little blue tiles still scrolling along the bottom of the
> screen. The first time I downloaded and installed via Windows Update with
> all
> programs closed or disabaled with the exception of McAfee VirusScan, my
> mistake. On the two subsequent installations, I had McAfee and all other
> programs closed, but Windows Update showed the executable as already
> downloaded and ready to install. Sounds like the damage was already done,
> so
> I tried to think through how I could "reset the clock". I could not find
> the
> "successful" SP3 via Add/Remove Programs, so there is evidently no way for
> me
> to "reset" my status via Windows Update and re-download from that
> location.
> Restore kept saving me but did not "reset the clock" on the SP3 download
> either, Windows Update just kept saying that I had already downloaded the
> file. I did manage to find and download the full, "IT professional" 300MB+
> standalone update from Microsoft Download Manager this evening, but I'm
> going
> to hold off installing until I hear from someone in this forum that it
> makes
> sense, would make any difference, or better yet, why I would go through
> this
> entire install/restore sequence for a FOURTH time when I don't know why I
> should even bother?? SP2 and my computer in general worked without issue
> for
> years until today, I made the mistake of trusting that Microsoft would
> make a
> painless, seamless, transparent upgrade/update like all of the others that
> I've downloaded via Windows Update prior to today, very very disappointed.
> Up until today, I am current on everything from both a Windows and Office
> perspective, I don't know whether to just give up, move to Vista, or just
> keep on using SP2 and ignore any suggestions to update to SP3. Maybe
> someone
> hasn't worked the kinks out of this thing yet. Is SP3 worth all of this
> trouble? Someone please tell me, thanks.