That would be me. I crashed the whole computer. I called Microsoft, and after six calls, they took responsiblility, and put me on the phone with data retrieval, and after a week of phone tag, we were able to retrieve all my files from my dead computer, and then reinstall my operating system and then put all files back into their places. At first they told me all was lost, and to just reinstall Windows XP and that all my files were gone. This was not so. But, I still don't have SP2 installed. The tech told me to read the link below and follow the instructions of what to do BEFORE I install SP2 . I have been "vewy vewy afwaid" to attempt it. But before I do, I will save all my files to CD "before" the big crash. Good luck if you attempt to do it. Many people have had problems. Here is a link that might be useful: Before you install SP2, read this

I'm about to update to SP3 on my computers and looked at the instructions Ravencajun linked above: Call your computer's manufacturer or check their support website to see if there are any compatibility issues with your computer. Confirm that your BIOS firmware and device drivers are up-to-date. At minimum, your XP computer must be running Service Pack 1 for SP3 to install. To cover every installation option, make sure that you have at least 1.8 GB of free space on your computer's hard drive. Take this opportunity to confirm that you have enough available storage for optimal performance of your computer. Delete any unused programs and data. Perform complete antivirus and spyware scans with up-to-date virus and spyware definitions. Back up your data and make certain you can reinstall it. Remove any Microsoft applications, such as Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit and Remote Desktop Connection (RDP), that will prevent SP3's installation. ------------------------------------- Some of these I don't know how to do. How do I do this?: Confirm that your BIOS firmware and device drivers are up-to-date. -------------------------------------------- Other things I want to doublecheck I really have to do: Remove any Microsoft applications, such as Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit and Remote Desktop Connection (RDP), that will prevent SP3's installation. Do I really have to remove IE8. Some of our computers have IE7 - others have IE8. I am not sure if I have Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit and Remote Desktop Connection (RDP). Would I find these in add/remove programs? What do they do? If I have them, do I really have to remove them? And if so, where do I go to re-install? Same with IE8. Thanks. Lynn. PS - I did order the installation CD a while back and have that to use. I gather it's preferable to downloading?

I still use land-line phone, and I can tell you all the poor reception I hear on the calls, long distance and local, come from poor performance of the cellular on the other end. When I call someone else on a land-line the call is clear and never drops out. I returned an Acer notebook early this year because of driver problems and poor technical support, I also note it had Vista. I then looked for a notebook with XP, found a good deal on a Gateway, demo unit, which had XP. I also have a Dell PC with XP Media and the Dell update DvDs to "Upgrade" to Vista. I have not done so, nor do I plan to, and given the good news that there is a SP3 coming for XP, I'm happy with my decision. SP2 is fine, but SP3 says to me MS will support XP for many years to come. PC World ran tests of Vista and picked as one of the test machine the same Dell PC I have. They said it worked ok, but slower than XP. Whatever the eye candy is with Vista, I've missed seeing it.

I highly suggest instead of trying to do it through auto updates you go to the actual page where you can download sp3 to your pc then start your pc in safe mode or with all your antivirus and firewalls disabled try to do the install of the sp3 file you downloaded. You should do a search here for sp3, there were many threads about it and the problems installing it. Service Pack 3 that is where to get the sp3 download file, it is the one everyone uses do not be put off by it saying it is for It professionals. For those that have problems using the auto update this is the one they suggest you use. Once you save the program to your desktop or where ever you save it then disconnect from the internet, turn off your antivirus program as zep instructed and turn off your firewall by going to your control panel and the security center and turning it to off. When you have done that then go to the install file and double click it to begin the install. Once done and rebooted you can turn everything back on.