SP2 Issues

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:29 pm

I have had some niggling problems for some time now, one issue being that any time I tried to run a system restore, it would hang part way through, then report that it was not responding. Another issue is that I cannot install critical updates automatically (related to the sys restore issue?), the updates (for all intents and purposes) seems to have installed...but then when you go to power down the computer, the little shield over "shut down" indicates the pc needs to shut down (and not restart) to complete the update. I then get the blue screen requesting that I do not turn off the pc (it will do this automatically) and updates are being installed. To test the integrity of this, I left that screen up for 24 hours, and it still read "installing updates 1 of 5" - No progress.

This inability to run system restore has obviously impacted on certain software that automatically runs system restore before installation.

Cutting a longer story short, I decided to act on a hunch and uninstall SP2. This obviously wiped drivers for my graphics card (reversible problem) but I was now able to run a system restore (and reinstall my modem drivers that had been corrupted, but needed a sys restore to install).

On reinstalling SP2, I have now lost the ability to run sys restore again, and another problem continues: I cannot install critical updates for XP.

Sys info:

Athlon XP 2800
Radeon 2700 Pro
2x HDD (120 + 80 GB)
512 MB DDR
XP Professional (SP2

)
IE6
Norton Internet Security 2004

Ideas anyone?

Thanks in advance.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:46 pm

I thought I remember Norton Internet Security having/creating/causing problems with xpsp2. I realize that with xpsp1 and Norton you can run updates and have no troubles. I was wondering if you could run critical updates for windows with xpsp2 and no Norton IS. This may be a moot point as you probably want Norton to remain on the machine, however, I am curious.

What motherboard are you using?

Oh yeah, Hi! Nice to see you round here again. You're missed, though my presence is scarce here these days as well.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:52 pm

Hi Ned!! *hug* lovely to see you!

Would you suggest I disable NIS for the duration of updates (maybe enabling the XP firewall and ANother AV for the period?) to see?

The Motherboard is an Asus A7N8X.

Nasuke · Post by **Nasuke** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:57 pm

I agree with Ned, Norton Security caused more problems with one of my friends computer and he ended up having to wipe the whole motherboard. Of course there are other ways, but you should try looking around on the internet. Im pretty curios to.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:24 pm

Ok.

So I disabled NIS 2004 by putting both the AV and the firewall on manual startup (not auto) then I restarted the pc.

My pc is now happily downloading and installing critical updates, and is able to perform a system restore.

Ned *hugs* thank you, you have given me a way around this issue, but it does not solve the problem entirely - I wouldn't mind, but I have just (two days ago) renewed my subscription to NIS 2004, having read poor write ups about 2005.

Who should I approach re the issue, Symantec or Microsoft?

Thanks again!

<edit> thank you, too, Nasuke. I think you guys have confirmed the culprit.
Welcome to GB!

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:44 pm

Well, if disabling NIS allows you to update the PC properly with respect to MS windows updates, I'd roll with it. You don't need to update windows or other MS products too often, so if NIS gives you little other trouble and you're happy with what it does, keep using it. Personally, I'm not a fan of security software; I think hardware does a much better job even if it has limited functionality compared to the robust options present in security/firewalling software. If the hardware option does little for you, my own recommendation would be zone alarm professional. Symantec products are so invasive themselves. I can live with the anti virus packages but that's where I draw the line with symantec.

Who should I approach re the issue, Symantec or Microsoft?

Gather the DF's, split them into two balanced groups (though send more melee types to MS, they deserve the bloody death) and march on both taking no prisoners. If you're nice you can roost the vampire and perhaps entice him to join you on a quest for carnage.

take care Ysh.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:01 am

It is quite possible that you have (accidently) blocked the process responsible for downloading updates in the firewall the first time it tried to access the Internet. I know I did a couple of times.
The reason is that IIRC it has a stupid generic name like "svchost.exe" and all you know is it "tries to access the Internet" ... most decent users would block that in a heartbeat - but with the result of not being able to update windows.

Try checking your firewall rules and see if you have some process/programs blocked (possible with that name) and try and remove the rules and see if that helps.
If it dosen't ..... I'll advice as Ned does, to simply live with it.

I've had plenty of problems with my NIS 2005 after I upgraded from 2003......not this one though .... so I'm starting to wonder if Symantec actually knows what they are doing now

(Like a "bug" where the firewall almost on a whim decides not to allow some programs with free access actually access the Internet)

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:04 pm

Oooo! Good point, Xan regarding svchost.exe, a lot of people probably do block it.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:29 pm

@Ned. ROFL re the DF!

I used to use ZoneAlarm Pro, had done for a few years, but I started to develop problems with viewing web pages and found that was resolved after uninstalling ZA. Hmmm...I wonder, now, whether there was a conflict between ZA and NIS 2004? I ran ZA with Norton 2003 without issues...I might disable the firewall in NIS 2004 and install ZA again, see what happens.

Xan, thanks for that. I found that Norton had blocked a file called "Isvchost". I have allowed that program access, but it doesn't solve not being able to run sys restore with the firewall activated

i think i might go ahead and disable the thing and reinstall ZA.

Thanks again!

i will keep you updated!

nikPegler · Post by **nikPegler** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:18 am

If ZA gives you conflicts you can also try another firewall software that is free called Sygate Personal Edition. In my experience with it, it's very thorough and is competition with many of the other firewall programs. If you want more features you can get Sygate Professional for I believe 15 or 20 bucks.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:47 am

You bumped a 7-month old thread.

fonelan · Post by **fonelan** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:03 pm

sp2 installed and now my IE wont work