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SP4 to SP3
- Thread starter bugdog
- Start date
Are you sure about this? App runs with SP3 NOT SP4 (do you have evidence)?
If you really need to revert to SP3, then suggestions:-
1. Did you install SP4 on top of SP3 - and take option to backup existing installation? If yes, you can just uninstall SP4 - in \WINNT\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst just run spuninst.exe.
2. Otherwise, you could do a repair reinstall - & then reapply SP3.
3. Option on 2 - if you have or can create a SP3 install CD - do the repair with that - no need to apply the service pack - (if you have SP3 install files).
If you really need to revert to SP3, then suggestions:-
1. Did you install SP4 on top of SP3 - and take option to backup existing installation? If yes, you can just uninstall SP4 - in \WINNT\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst just run spuninst.exe.
2. Otherwise, you could do a repair reinstall - & then reapply SP3.
3. Option on 2 - if you have or can create a SP3 install CD - do the repair with that - no need to apply the service pack - (if you have SP3 install files).
and scroll down to "4.0 Removing Service Pack 4".
John Lewis
Programmer
I also would question why your app will not run with SP4. Are you seeing specific symptoms with the app, or are you basing the requirement for SP3 on a statement from the vendor or an installation dialog?
There are a number of apps that check specifically for SP3 (or SP2, etc). Mostly verticle market/small distribution apps. Generally, these could work with very minor adjustments, so I would contact the vendor and complain.
There are also some changes in the way Windows handles access permissions to some parts of the OS with SP4. Many problems with specific applications are related to this.
Now for the real question -- can you regress from SP4? As wolluf stated, if you installed with the archive option, you should be able to remove it without too many problems. Open Control Panel and double click on Add/Remove programs. If removing SP4 is an option, it will be on the list. Click on it, then click Change/Remove to start the uninstall process. The spuninst.exe mentioned by wolluf should start the same process, so you could go that route if you desire.
Note that it makes no difference if you have previously installed SP3 or not. Removing SP4 should simply take you back to the state that you were prior to installing SP4. Also, you should install SP3 again. Even if you were at SP3 before SP4, reinstalling will make sure that all of the files are in order and save some problems later.
The usefullness of doing a repair install will depend upon the reason you are having problems. It will regress the files and allow you to install SP3. If the app is simply checking for SP3 or a specific file, you should be good to go. If there is some other problem, this may not do it as SP4 modifies the registry and a repair install will not correct some of that. If that is the case, you will either have to do a fresh install or find the actual cause of the problem and fix it manually.
There are a number of apps that check specifically for SP3 (or SP2, etc). Mostly verticle market/small distribution apps. Generally, these could work with very minor adjustments, so I would contact the vendor and complain.
There are also some changes in the way Windows handles access permissions to some parts of the OS with SP4. Many problems with specific applications are related to this.
Now for the real question -- can you regress from SP4? As wolluf stated, if you installed with the archive option, you should be able to remove it without too many problems. Open Control Panel and double click on Add/Remove programs. If removing SP4 is an option, it will be on the list. Click on it, then click Change/Remove to start the uninstall process. The spuninst.exe mentioned by wolluf should start the same process, so you could go that route if you desire.
Note that it makes no difference if you have previously installed SP3 or not. Removing SP4 should simply take you back to the state that you were prior to installing SP4. Also, you should install SP3 again. Even if you were at SP3 before SP4, reinstalling will make sure that all of the files are in order and save some problems later.
The usefullness of doing a repair install will depend upon the reason you are having problems. It will regress the files and allow you to install SP3. If the app is simply checking for SP3 or a specific file, you should be good to go. If there is some other problem, this may not do it as SP4 modifies the registry and a repair install will not correct some of that. If that is the case, you will either have to do a fresh install or find the actual cause of the problem and fix it manually.
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