problems with service pack 3

[cam420]

hey guys

i recently installed windows sp3 because i needed it to play grand theft auto 4 on steam. So after installing it basically my computer shut down,and went into the constant loop between the startup black screen and my loading screen, and kept restarting. So i uninstalled sp3 via safe mode, but I havent really fixed my problem. Why is sp3 not working for me? please help id really like to start playing gta4

 

[linney]

I take it your machine is functionally correctly now on SP2, but that SP2 cannot for some reason play your game, is that the correct understanding of the situation?

When you installed SP3 did it complete successfully or were there problems during the install?

See if any of the known problems and possible workarounds are applicable to your machine.

Don't let XP Service Pack 3 hose your system

http://windowssecrets.com/links/gkl...rl=WindowsSecrets.com/2008/09/11/ts/?n=story1

Windows XP SP3 Cheat Sheet

http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2008/06/30/windows-xp-sp3-cheat-sheet/

 

[cam420]

yes you are right, the second i uninstalled sp3 i restarted my computer and everything was working normally again.

and yes, it has become apparent that i need sp3 to run gta 4.

SP3 installs sucessfully, but immediatley after installation my computer reboots. It goes from the first black screen, and then to one which asks how i would like to start up windows

1. Normal Mode
2. Safe Mode
etc etc

so i choose normal mode, and it goes to the windows xp loading screen. from there, the screen goes blank and restarts right back to the initial black screen (the first thing you see when you turn your computer on)

any ideas?

 

[linney]

Were any of the known problems with SP3, and linked to above, applicable in this case?

Here are some more reboot loop articles.

Windows XP SP3 reboot hell (and how to get out of it)

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/05/14/Windows-XP-SP3-reboot-hell-and-how-to-get-out-of-it_1.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=sp3+xp+reboot+loop&rls=com.microsoft:

You could try using Msconfig and stop from running all third party programs and services. If that fails you could try uninstalling all your security program, but check out the articles (above) first.

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH