No problem, so this is a result of installing service pack3 yes?

Same blue screen different error,0x00000050

zep

That's when he tells me he got the blue screen, when trying to install that MS service pack3.

Oh, I didn't notice the different numbers.

So some of the service pack3 was installed I guess. And now the computer bluescreens,and you can't get to safe mode?

Not sure what to tell you here, What is the make of the computer?

Do you have a recovery cd Disk that came with the computer?

I keep asking questions so others can also get an idea of what all is taking place here.

Have you tried selecting the "Last Known Good Configuration" option?

He says the service pack3 completely installed then it required a restart. When it went into restart, the blue screen popped up. This is a Dell Dimension E310 with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

We are not finding a recovery disk.

Yes, bpgree, he has tried the last known good config. No go.

We found a Drivers and User Documentation CD. Says the contents are: HTML User Documentation and Drivers (INF, ICM, and CAT files)

This may or may not work on your pc not sure if it has the options some dells do (read carefully you will lose data) don't no what other options you have, no safemode ect.

1. Power the computer on
2. When the Dell screen appears press and hold the key on the keyboard, press the key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Press the keys only one time. If you press them more than once, a keyboard error occurs and the process has to be initiated again.

3.Click the Restore button or press the key to highlight Restore and press the enter key.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
4.Click the Confirm button or press the key to highlight Confirm and press the enter key.
The Progress window appears. Once the process is begun, Dell PC Restore usually takes only 8 to 10 minutes to complete.
When the restore is complete, the message The system recovery process was successful appears.
5. Click the Finish button or press key to highlight Finish and press the key.
The computer will restart.
Your software is now as it was when you first received your computer.

NOTE: After the Operating System has been restored, it is important to run Windows Update as soon as possible to bring the system to the latest level of security.

"2. When the Dell screen appears press and hold the key on the keyboard, press the key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Press the keys only one time. If you press them more than once, a keyboard error occurs and the process has to be initiated again."

Does this mean the Windows key Zep?

I really appreciate your help. I found out the Drivers and User Doc. CD is only for the monitor.

I'll let you know how it's going and thanks so much for your help so far.

can you use any of the safe mode options at all ?
If so go in with safe mode to your control panel add remove programs and remove sp3
DO NOT do a system restore that will cause a mix of sp2 and sp3 which could be even worse.

Let me know if you can get into any safe mode.

do you have Norton on this pc?

did he disable all antivirus and security programs including firewall before trying to install sp3?

If none of the things we suggest are helping I think really your best bet is to go here to this forum and ask Bill Castner for help he has by far the best knowledge of how to recover from sp3 issues and has several posts on his forum there on fixes. Here is the link to the correct area to post. You will have to register to the forum to post but it is free.
Windows XP & 2000 (Win 5.x)

Post a new thread asking Bill for help with sp3 failure.

No, he's not been able to use any of the safe mode options. He's tried them all.

He has McAfee on his Dell. No, he didn't disable them before the install.

Is there a virus posing as a MS update?

no the problem is that all antivirus software is supposed to be disabled prior to the install of sp3 this causes this kind of issue when it is not installed following the proper guidelines. I knew these kinds of issues would be coming up now that it is going out through auto updates and people just allow it to install with out turning everything off.

Go ahead and ask Bill I think he has a fix for this problem. When you post please do include exactly what you have here, the pictures and the full info including everything on that pc security related, AV firewall etc that would have been running. give him all the info you can in the original post so he knows exactly what it is you are dealing with.
He is awesome, feel free to tell him I sent you.

Thank you Ravencajun. I went to the link and see that there must be a lot of problems with folks just going right into the install without notice. I will certainly get a post started to Bill with all of the particulars and pictures. It is a shame that MS didn't feel the need to put a disclaimer with their auto update so folks would know up front to turn off their AV and firewalls. It's going to cost folks a lot of money that don't know how to get their computer back up without having to call in the Geek Squad or a taking it to a computer clinic/shop. Grrr!

Again, many thanks to you and Zep for your help.

I agree that there should be some way to let people know to take the proper steps prior to install of sp3. I have posted several threads here warning of it's impending push through auto updates but not everyone looks for those kind of things.

Please let us know how things go for you, there may be others popping up here with the same problems so your experience can help others.

Summer,

Just a point here not a criticism. You do know when you load up a thread with jpgs you more than likely lose most if not all the members who are on DUN. The only reason I personally was able to view this thread, as it took forever to download. was I got up and answered the door without stopping the thread.

Just a thought.

DA

summer I see that Bill helped you and you can now boot but have problems. I would just go right now while you can still boot and in control panel add remove programs remove sp3 from your pc. that should fix any of your problems. Then you need to stop sp3 from installing again. It is not compatible with your pc. See my post here about sp3 for how to set up a block to stop it from installing. Turn your auto updates to notify only so it does not immediately try to reinstall it.

Thanks ravencajun. I turned it over to DH last night so I'm not up on what all transpired between he and Bill. I will pass your info on to him. I assure you, he wants no part of MS SP3 from here on out.

It's really wonderful to be able to come here and get help with these pesky computer problems before you pull all of your hair out. :)