You cannot shut down or restart Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 when multiple users are logged on

You cannot shut down or restart Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 from inside the program when multiple users are logged on to the Media Center computer. This behavior occurs only when Media Center is running in full-screen mode and Windowed mode.

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CAUSE

This behavior occurs because you cannot see a warning message that you are prom...

This behavior occurs because you cannot see a warning message that you are prompted with in this scenario. This warning message is hidden behind the Media Center window when Media Center is running in full-screen mode and Windowed mode.

If you have Fast User Switching enabled in Windows XP, and multiple users are logged on, you are prompted with the following warning message when you try to either shut down or restart the computer:

Other people are logged on to this computer. Shutting down Windows might cause then to lose data.
Do you want to continue shutting down?

Windows will not restart or shut down until you click Yes in response to this warning message. However, because this message is hidden, you do not respond.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, quit Media Center, and then make sure that all us...

To work around this behavior, quit Media Center, and then make sure that all users have saved their data and logged off before you shut down or restart the computer.

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MORE INFORMATION

Media Center Technical Support Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Editio...

Media Center Technical Support

Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP Media Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.

You can also visit the Windows XP Media Center Edition product information Web site at the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/ (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/)

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

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Keywords:

kberrmsg kbtshoot KB886844

You may receive a warning message or the Zero Touch Installation process may stop responding when you use the Solutions Accelerator for Business Deskt

When you use the Solutions Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) together with Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2), the Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) Windows Operating System Deployment process may stop responding during the State Restore phase. When this issue occurs, you may receive the following warning message:

Security Warning The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?

Note If you receive this warning message, you can respond to it by clicking Run. The process should continue until it is completed.

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CAUSE

This issue occurs when the following conditions are true:You use the Fully Quali...

This issue occurs when the following conditions are true:

• You use the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) in the Systems Management Server hierarchy.
• You use the computer name of the server for the UDShare parameter and for the SLShare parameter in the CustomSettings.ini file.

Under these conditions, the Microsoft Windows operating system generates a security warning message when the ZeroTouchInstallation.vbs script runs the OSDConnectToUNC.exe file.

In most cases, you cannot see the message box, and the State Restore phase will appear to stop responding.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, you must modify the ZeroTouchInstallation.vbs script. To...

To resolve this issue, you must modify the ZeroTouchInstallation.vbs script. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In the ZeroTouchInstallation.vbs script file, locate the following lines.

   Line 3813:  LogInfo sLogFile, "About to call OSDConnectToUNC to connect to " & sServerUNC, LogTypeInfo
   Line 3814:  sCmd = """" & sOSDConnectToUNC & """ """ & sServerUNC & """ " & arrSplit(0) & " " & arrSplit(1) & " " & arrSplit(2)

2. Add "cmd /c" to the command line on line 3814, as in the following example.

   Line 3813:  LogInfo sLogFile, "About to call OSDConnectToUNC to connect to " & sServerUNC, LogTypeInfo
   Line 3814:  sCmd = "cmd /c """"" & sOSDConnectToUNC & """ """ & sServerUNC & """ " & arrSplit(0) & " " & arrSplit(1) & " " & arrSplit(2) & """"

3. Save and then close the script file.

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MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the issue To see when this issue occurs in the ZTI process, f...

Steps to reproduce the issue

To see when this issue occurs in the ZTI process, follow these steps:

1. Run the ZTI process together with the /debug:true flag.
2. Review the ZeroTouchInstallation.log file. The log resembles the following:

   -------------------------- PHASE START ---------------------------
   Using COMMAND LINE ARG: Debug = True
   Using COMMAND LINE ARG: Phase = STATERESTORE
   Using DEFAULT VALUE: Ini file = \\SMS01.contoso.com\SMSPKGD$\SMS00001\CustomSettings.ini
   Using DEFAULT VALUE: CapiComDLL = \\SMS01.contoso.com\SMSPKGD$\SMS00001\capicom.dll
   Using LOGFILE = C:\MININT\SMSOSD\OSDLOGS\Zerotouchinstallation.log OSD environment is available.
   WMI is available.
   ...
   ...
   ...
   About to call OSDConnectToUNC to connect to \\FS01\Logs

   Notice that the last item that is logged in the State Restore phase indicates that the ZTI process is about to call the OSDConnectToUNC.exe file.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

925220 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925220/ ) The SMS 2003 Operating System Deployment Feature Pack appears to stop responding (hang) in the "State Restore Phase" for over one hour

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REFERENCES

For more information about the Zero Touch Installation Deployment Feature Team G...

For more information about the Zero Touch Installation Deployment Feature Team Guide from the Solution Accelerator for BDD, visit the following Microsoft TechNet Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/bdd/enterprise/ztidftguide.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/bdd/enterprise/ztidftguide.mspx)

For more information about User State Migration Tool (USMT), view the USMT 2.6 Help in the download package for USMT 2.6. To download Windows User State Migration Tool version 2.6, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4af2d2c9-f16c-4c52-a203-8daf944dd555 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4af2d2c9-f16c-4c52-a203-8daf944dd555)

For more information about Microsoft Windows User State Migration Toolkit, visit the following Microsoft TechNet Web site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/desktopdeployment/bb397209.aspx (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/desktopdeployment/bb397209.aspx)

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
• Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003
• Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Service Pack 2

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Keywords:

kbtshoot kbprb KB921281

Warning message when you start a Windows XP-based computer: “This version of Windows XP is currently not safe”

This article describes the following warning message that is displayed when a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer starts:

Windows Genuine Advantage
This version of Windows XP is no longer secure.

To continue receiving the latest security updates, click here to upgrade to the most current Windows XP Service Pack.

Get Service Pack 2

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MORE INFORMATION

The message that is mentioned in the "Introduction" section appears when you sta...

The message that is mentioned in the "Introduction" section appears when you start a Windows XP-based computer that has not been updated to the latest service pack. The latest service pack includes enhancements and better protection against viruses, worms, and malicious users.

When this message appears, click here in the message to upgrade to the most current Windows XP service pack, or click Get Service Pack 2 in the message to visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx)

For more information about how to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

875364 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875364/ ) Detailed installation walkthrough for Windows XP Service Pack 2

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REFERENCES

For more information about Windows Genuine Advantage, click the following artic...

For more information about Windows Genuine Advantage, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

892130 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/ ) Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)

905474 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/ ) Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
• Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage

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Keywords:

kbhowto kbsecurity kbbeginner kbexpertiseinter kbexpertisebeginner kbexpertiseadvanced KB933274

How to download and install the latest printer driver from your printer manufacturer's Web site

You are now ready to go look for the printer driver that you need. We will give you links to some common printer manufacturer's Web sites in a minute. But before we do this, we'd like to remind you that the printer manufacturer's Web site is not under our control. Each manufacturer's Web site will be laid out differently. Therefore, we cannot give you the precise steps that you will need to locate and download the latest printer driver for your computer. So please realize that the following steps are general steps that you may have to adapt a bit. If at any time you no longer seem to be able to find what you need, please ask someone you know for help or contact your printer's manufacturer for help.

Basically what you want to do when you get to your printer manufacturer's Web site is:

• Find the downloads or drivers section.
• Find where you can select your printer make and model.
• Find where you can select your Windows XP platform type.
• Select the latest driver.
• Read the download instructions if there are any, and then download the printer driver. (We will give you more specific instructions on how to download the printer driver file in a minute. For now, just try to locate the file.)

The following is just one example of what the page that you want to find on the printer manufacturer's Web site will resemble. This example is from the Epson Web site. As we said, other Web sites will look different.

Links to Web sites of common printer manufacturers

Here is a list of links to the Web sites of some common printer manufacturers. Click the link for your printer manufacturer. The current Web page will remain open so that you can return to it after you have downloaded the latest printer driver for your printer.

Note If the Web site for your printer manufacturer is not listed here, just type the name of your printer manufacturer in any Web search engine to locate the manufacturer's Web site:

• Brother (http://www.brother.com/E-ftp/softwin.html)
• Canon (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=DownloadIndexAct)
• Dell (http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen)
• Epson (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/SupportIndex.jsp)
• HP (http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html)
• Kodak (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=10/9652&pq-locale=en_US)
• Konica Minolta (http://printer.konicaminolta.com/support/index_ds.html)
• Lexmark (http://downloads.lexmark.com/en/us/index.html)
• Panasonic (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Computers-Networking/Multifunction-Printers.list.75541)
• Ricoh (http://www.ricoh.com/downloads/)
• Samsung (http://www.samsung.com/us/support/download/supportDownMain.do)
• Sony (http://esupport.sony.com/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DRIVER&SR=nav:service_support:electronics:drivers_software:esup&ref=http%3A//www.sony.com/index.php)

After you have located the latest printer driver for your printer and Window XP platform, go to Download and then run the file that you located.

What to do if no printer driver was listed for your printer or Windows XP platform type

If no printer driver was listed for your Windows XP platform type, here is what you want to try next:

• If no printer driver is listed by your manufacturer for Windows XP, download a Microsoft Windows 2000 driver if one is available.
• If you are running a 64-bit Windows XP platform, and no 64-bit Windows XP driver is listed, download a 32-bit Windows XP driver if one is available.

If no Windows 2000 or Windows XP driver is listed for your printer, see whether a compatible printer driver exists for your printer make and model. A compatible driver is also known as an "emulation printer driver." An emulation printer driver imitates another printer driver. This step is a bit more involved, so if you have trouble, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support.

To find a printer driver that will function as an emulation printer driver for your printer driver, first search your printer manufacturer's Web site. If you do not find any mention of an emulation printer driver on your printer manufacturer's Web site, you can do the same search on the Internet. The steps to do this are as follows:

1. Either on your printer manufacturer's Web site or on the Internet, type the make and model of your printer followed by the word "emulation" in the search box. For example, your search entry might resemble the following:

   Canon BJ20 emulation

2. Look through the search results to see whether there is any mention of an emulation printer driver for your printer.

To download a compatible driver, you might have to visit a different printer manufacturer's Web site. For example, the Epson LQ510 printer emulates the Canon BJ20 printer. Therefore, you would have to visit the Epson Web site to download the latest printer driver for the Epson LQ510 printer for use with a Canon BJ20 printer.

If no printer driver is available in any form for your printer, the rest of this content cannot help you. At this point, you might want to read Next Steps or Advanced troubleshooting. Or you might want to ask someone you know for help, or contact the manufacturer of your printer.

If you found the driver, go on to Download and then run the file that you located.

List of the keyboard shortcuts that are available in Windows XP

General keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+C (Copy)
• CTRL+X (Cut)
• CTRL+V (Paste)
• CTRL+Z (Undo)
• DELETE (Delete)
• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
• CTRL+A (Select all)
• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
• ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
• CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
• F5 key (Update the active window)
• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• ESC (Cancel the current task)
• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

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Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.

• CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
• TAB (Move forward through the options)
• SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
• ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
• ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
• SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
• Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
• F1 key (Display Help)
• F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
• BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

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Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts

• Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
• Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
• Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
• Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
• Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
• Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
• Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
• CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
• Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
• Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
• Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
• Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

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Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

• Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
• SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
• NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
• Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

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Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• END (Display the bottom of the active window)
• HOME (Display the top of the active window)
• NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
• LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
• RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

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Shortcut keys for Character Map

After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:

• RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line)
• LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line)
• UP ARROW (Move up one row)
• DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
• PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
• PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
• HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
• END (Move to the end of the line)
• CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
• CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
• SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)

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Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+O (Open a saved console)
• CTRL+N (Open a new console)
• CTRL+S (Save the open console)
• CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
• CTRL+W (Open a new window)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
• ALT+F4 (Close the console)
• ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
• ALT+V (Display the View menu)
• ALT+F (Display the File menu)
• ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)

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MMC console window keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+P (Print the current page or active pane)
• ALT+Minus sign (-) (Display the window menu for the active console window)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item)
• F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• CTRL+F10 (Maximize the active console window)
• CTRL+F5 (Restore the active console window)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)

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Remote desktop connection navigation

• CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
• ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
• ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
• ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
• ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
• CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
• ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
• CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
• CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

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Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation

• CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
• CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
• CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
• CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
• CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
• CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
• CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
• CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
• CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
• CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
• CTRL+W (Close the current window)

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Other information

• Some keyboard shortcuts may not work if StickyKeys is turned on in Accessibility Options.
• Some of the Terminal Services client shortcuts that are similar to the shortcuts in Remote Desktop Sharing are not available when you use Remote Assistance in Windows XP Home Edition.
• Some of the other Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that have similar information as this article are:
  126449 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449/ ) Keyboard shortcuts for Windows
  255090 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255090/ ) Keystroke navigation in Windows 2000 Help
• Refer to Help for the most current information regarding keyboard navigation and visit the following Microsoft Accessibility Web site for additional information that relates to keyboard shortcuts and keyboard navigation in Windows and other Microsoft products:
  http://www.microsoft.com/enable (http://www.microsoft.com/enable)

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3

Use the following troubleshooting methods in the order in which they are presented.

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Method 1: Exit all open programs, restart the computer, and then try to reinstall SP3

Sometimes an installation is unsuccessful because a previous operation was not completed. By restarting your computer, you close any pending computer functions and restart the process. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Exit all open programs.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Wait until the computer finishes the restart process, and then log on to your account.
4. Visit the following Microsoft Web site to reinstall Windows XP SP3:
   http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
5. Click Express Install (Recommended).
   
   Note If the computer meets the conditions for the Windows XP SP3 update, this update will be automatically selected.
6. Click Install.
7. Review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then follow the instructions that are provided during the installation process to complete the installation.

If the installation is successful, you are finished.

If this method did not resolve the issue, go to method 2.

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Method 2: Temporarily disable any antivirus, antispyware, and third-party firewall programs

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make the computer or the network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you decide to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.

Installation failure may occur when a third-party program, such as antispyware, holds a file open or when it locks a file that the Windows XP SP3 installation program needs. Before you try to reinstall Windows XP SP3, follow these steps:

1. Exit any open programs, and then restart the computer.
2. After the computer has restarted, disable any antivirus, antispyware, and third-party firewall programs that may start during the startup process.
   
   You can usually do this from the program notification area. The program icons typically appear in the lower-right corner of the computer screen. To disable a program from the notification area, right-click the program icon, and then click an appropriate option to disable the program.
   
   Note If these options are not available, see the program documentation. Or, contact the program's manufacturer for instructions.
3. After you disable these programs, visit the following Microsoft Web site to reinstall Windows XP SP3:
   http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
   Note If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, obtain the stand-alone update package from the Download Center. To do this, go to method 3.
4. Click Express Install (Recommended).
   
   Note If the computer meets the conditions for the Windows XP SP3 update, this update will be automatically selected.
5. Click Install.
6. Review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then follow the instructions that are provided during the installation process to complete the installation.
7. After you have completed the Windows XP SP3 installation process, re-enable any antivirus, antispyware, and third-party firewall programs that you disabled in step 2.

If the installation is successful, you are finished.

If this method did not resolve the issue, go to method 3.

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Method 3: Download and reinstall Windows XP SP3 from the Microsoft Download Center

If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, obtain the stand-alone update package from the Download Center. To download the file, click the following link:

Collapse this imageExpand this image

Download the Windows XP Service Pack 3 package now package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4)
For more information about how to download Windows XP SP3 from the Microsoft Download Center, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/ ) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

If the installation is successful, you are finished.

If this method did not resolve the issue, and you are comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, go to the "Advanced Troubleshooting Methods" section.

If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, go to the "Next Steps" section for information about how to contact Support.

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ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING

The following troubleshooting methods are intended for advanced users. To resolv...

The following troubleshooting methods are intended for advanced users. To resolve the issue and reinstall Windows XP SP3, first try method 1.

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Method 1: Start the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and reinstall Windows XP SP3

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) transfers files (downloads or uploads) between a client and server and provides progress information related to the transfers. If the BITS service is turned off, Windows Update may have problems delivering files to your computer.

To start the BITS service and reinstall Windows XP SP3, follow these steps:

Step 1: Start the BITS service

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. Right-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and then click Properties.
4. On the General tab in the Startup type box, click Automatic, and then click Apply.
5. In the Service status section of the properties dialog box, verify that the BITS service is started. If it is not started, click Start.
6. Click Apply, and then click OK.

Step 2: Restart the computer and try to reinstall Windows XP SP3

1. Exit all open programs.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Wait until the computer finishes the restart process, and then log on to your account.
4. Visit the following Microsoft Web site to reinstall Windows XP SP3:
   http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
5. Click Express Install (Recommended).
   
   Note If the computer meets the conditions for the Windows XP SP3 update, this update will be automatically selected.
6. Click Install.
7. Review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then follow the instructions that are provided during the installation process to complete the installation.

If the installation is successful, you are finished.

If this method did not resolve the issue, go to method 2.

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Method 2: Turn off Automatic Updates, clear the Software Distribution folder, and then download Windows XP SP3

A file in the Software Distribution folder might have become corrupted or previous files might interfere with the installation of SP3. Clearing the Software Distribution folder helps prevent these problems.

Step 1: Turn off Automatic Updates

1. Log on to the computer as an administrator or as a user who has administrative credentials. To verify that you are logged on to Windows with a user account that is a computer administrator, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin)
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Copy and then paste (or type) services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
4. Right-click Automatic Update, and then click Stop.

Step 2: Clear the Software Distribution Folder

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Copy and then paste (or type) the following in the Open box, and then click OK:
   %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
3. Right-click the Download folder, and then click Rename.
4. Type Download.old as the new folder name, and then press ENTER.
5. Exit Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Turn on Automatic Updates to download Windows XP SP3 again

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Copy and then paste (or type) services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. In the Services console, right-click Automatic Update, and then click Start.
4. Close the Services console.

Step 4: Reinstall Windows XP SP3

To reinstall Windows XP SP3, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)

If the installation is successful, you are finished.

If this method did not resolve the issue, go to the "Next Steps" section.

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NEXT STEPS

If the methods in this article did not resolve the issue, you can use the Micros...

If the methods in this article did not resolve the issue, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site provides include the following:

• Searchable Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1) : Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
• Solution Centers (http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub) : View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
• Microsoft Customer Support Newsgroups (http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx) : Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
• Other Support Options (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csshome) : Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

If you continue to have problems after you use these Microsoft Web sites or if you cannot find a solution to the problem on the Microsoft Support Services Web site, click the following link to contact Support.

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus)

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3, when used with:
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

How to prepare to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista

How to prepare to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista: "How to prepare to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista
View products that this article applies to.
On This Page

* INTRODUCTION
* MORE INFORMATION
o Back up important files
o Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
o Verify the upgrade status of the Windows XP-based computer
o Verify that the programs that you are using are supported by Windows Vista
o Verify the free space on the hard disk
o Verify the file system

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INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to prepare to upgrade from Microsoft Windows XP to Wi...
This article describes how to prepare to upgrade from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista.
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MORE INFORMATION
Back up important files Back up important files on the Windows XP-based comput...
Back up important files
Back up important files on the Windows XP-based computer before you upgrade to Windows Vista. A backup of files helps prevent the loss of files if you make a mistake during the upgrade. For more information about how to back up files in Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
308422 (http://support.m"