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Windows XP update issue 'will be fixed'

Microsoft's service pack three (SP3) for Windows XP has drawn hundreds of complaints from users who claim the update is wreaking havoc on their computers.

  • By Naushad K. Cherrayil, Senior Sub-Editor
  • Published: 00:08 May 18, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Microsoft's service pack three (SP3) for Windows XP has drawn hundreds of complaints from users who claim the update is wreaking havoc on their computers.

Angry customers have vented their spleen on the firm's Windows XP message board, posting complaints that include spontaneous PC reboots and system crashes after the service pack instillation.

Poster Dan, a Windows blogger, said: "I installed SP3 but when rebooting it loops between startup screen and restarting screen. I can boot into safe mode. Is uninstalling XP service pack 3 the only resolution?"

Similar problems were reported by frustrated customers throughout the message board.

"Microsoft is aware of a reboot issue experienced by users who have attempted to install Windows XP SP3 and expects to issue a fix within a few days," Wilson C. Xavier, business group lead - Windows client, Microsoft Gulf.

"While the root cause of this issue is complex, it results from OEMs improperly placing a Windows XP image created for Intel-based computers on to machines with non-Intel chipsets.

"Microsoft issued guidance to OEMs advising them to only load Windows XP images on to like hardware in 2004. Therefore, while the number of affected users is not known; we believe that it affects only a small number of Windows XP users. Windows Vista customers are not impacted," said Xavier.

Jesper Johansson, a Windows blogger, claimed the problem only involves machines using AMD processors.

Regarding the chip issue, Xavier said it would be premature to comment on any theory until Microsoft completes its investigation.

"Till date, we have not had any such incidents reported in our region. Microsoft has developed a filter for Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) customers on Windows Update, which prevents the download of Windows XP SP3.

"We are continuing to work on a fix for this issue, but advise Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers to not install service pack until a fix is released. Windows Vista customers are not impacted on this cross-platform XP imaging issue.

"Customers who experience a problem with Windows XP SP3 installation could contact Microsoft's customer support services and each of the cases will be specifically looked at, and will conform to standard Microsoft lifecycle support for all our service packs," Xavier said.

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