For any who are genuinely interested go to www.microsoft.com and search for "XP Service Pack 3 install failure". Look through the results and you will find numerous posts from a number of tech savvy people indicating a variety of computers were adversly affected including both HP and Dell. There were also a few different incorrect software drivers being installed by the MS service pack 3.

In fact many hardware companies advise their users to get their updated software drivers directly from the respective hardware company because MS has had issues with this sort of thing in the past. I never allow MS Windows to automatically search the Net and download updated hardware drivers for that reason.

BigDog:
My experience exactly' except that I was able to restore from my back up. Something told me that *this* time, I SHOULD backup. Glad I listened to me for once.
Also running an HP-AMD system. Hp sux... but it's mostly rebuilt, now.
Auto up date turned off now, too. Vandals couldn't have done worse. Sorry others have had issues with this update/downgrade, but its comforting to know that I'm not alone with this problem.
Like you, I'd like to see something declaring that there is/was a problem and that it has been corrected before I'll ever let MSFT "fix" my H-ighly P-roblematic system again.

TIMe

Exactly why I'm not bothering until I absolutely have to.

I did not read everybody's story regarding this situation but I will share what I went through.

After many attempts of trying to find an answer to my question, which was "Why is windows XP pro update SP3 such a pain in the ass?"

I thought that it was installed correctly and then, as usual, went to download any/all updates that may be needed to go with windows XP pro after installing SP3. After spending two days, going through Microsoft's knowledge base (and any thing else I could get my hands on), I decided it was time to make the long distance phone call. I live in Canada and used the phone numbers from my Windows XP booklet and the number. I talked to a lady who asked what the problem was - I am now at a point where I cannot install Windows XP3 OR the added security downloads for Microsoft Office (that I installed when XP3 did not work). I spoke to a technical person who advised the proper way to install XP3 is in "safe with net working" - as the best way to download the file for SP3. It worked!

Now when I select "Microsoft Update", to see if there are any updates for Microsoft Office, I see that there are, a hand full of them, but for some unexplained reason, they will not install. So now we call again, and spoke to a technical person who explained the steps to follow to do the download and stayed on the line, until the Office downloads were completed correctly.

Everything is now 100%. The US # for product support services is 425-635-7222. In Canada, 905-568-4494.

I hope this information helps - it worked for me.

Ok.... After a bit of soulsearching, and the expense of buying a few packs of marlbro , I decided to take the plunge ...

I am on my first restart after the install ... ( darn thing took ages ... )

~ and I am pleased to report that everything appears to be ok ... all Installed progs and apps working ok , my installed Desktop Sidebar is fine ...

So, when all said and done , no issues whatsoever ... so far so good Phewie!!

(~ now i will hold my breath for a few weeks ... hehehehe !!! )

I have a Dual AMD processor in my machine, and the sp3 install went on without a hitch. I have an Asus motherboard and drivers. Guess they got it right. Haven't noticed any significant changes in the way XP operates, but I have noticed a snappier start menu. Sometimes in closes back up before I have a chance to select an item. I'm going to reset the hover time for a longer period in Tweak UI and see if that helps.

Precisely! It is primarily an issue with HP and other OEMs that were too damn stupid and cheap to install windows properly in the first place.
It's not a @#$% MS, Google, Yahoo, Intel team effort to fuck up your systems and cover it up!
Almost any software is going to have problems on some systems. Hell, look at Stardock tech support woes for cryin out loud!

SP3 is fine on a very very large majority of systems AMD and otherwise unless you have an HP!

I will wait until I think its safe enough

Here's just one of hundreds of examples from microsoft's tech net forums:

"Add me to the list:

Dell Dimension 2300 windows XP professional sp2 1.8Ghz P4 528 MB RAM

Put me into an endless reboot cycle and it won't even boot into safe mood or last known good configuration.

Gave up and restored an Acronis Image and am back to running xp2 until MS fixes this mess.

I pity those who have not made images and then try to install this mess only to see their PCs hosed."

Please notice this person has a Dell with an Intel P4 processor and SP3 hosed his system.

I'll look for it. I've been reading through several threads amounting to 100+ pages over the past few days. Mostly at microsoft.com.

Hmmm, well my install is from an XP Pro full installer disc that I bought from the university bookstore (yay student discounts). Would mine still be affected? I checked Windows Update last night and it was still trying to get me to install SP3 (which I ignored).

I used that worked perfectly on my PC. HP Compaq Presario AMD Sempron Processor

HP has a patch now using HP Update for HP PC's with AMD processors. I'm still a little reluctant given I had to do a full restore last time. I run XP Media Center 2005 and there were some who had problems with this pack. I'm going to wait awhile longer.