BajaNomad

Baja Computer Users, Beware

DianaT - 9-13-2008 at 05:51 PM

Beware of Windows Service Pack 3. I had my laptop set for automatic updates and bingo, I ended up with Service Pack 3. I also ended up with my laptop no longer detecting ANY wireless networks.

We were in Bahia Asuncion at the time and it was frustrating. When the owner of the Internet Cafe leaves town, he gives me his wireless access, and with that, my automatic downloads clicked in. (no more automatic download for windows!!!)

Thus, Service Pack 3 downloads, and I no longer could access ANY wireless---could not even detect that there were any available.

When the owner, Jose Luis, returned to town, we tried lots of things and could not even uninstall Service Pack 3 and unlike me, he is VERY computer literate.

Back in USA---the Geek Squad had trouble uninstalling Service Park 3---took a couple of days, but finally they were successful and once again, the laptop detects wireless.

Geek squad said they have had LOTS of problems with it. Now my other computer downloaded it and no problem, but they told me that MANY computers have real problems with Service Pack 3.

So, just beware.

Diane

bacquito - 9-13-2008 at 05:59 PM

Thanks for the info.

Diver - 9-13-2008 at 06:00 PM

Are you running Vista or XP ?

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by Diver]

DianaT - 9-13-2008 at 06:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
Are you running Vista or XP ?

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by Diver]


XP and so far, I hear not so good stories about Vista.

One person we know likes it---another paid to have it changed to XP, and young guy at the Geek Squad today told me to wait for a while.

Are you running Vista?

Diane

bajalou - 9-13-2008 at 06:18 PM

There's been lots of info on tech sites and newsletters advising to be very careful about SP3. I haven't loaded it.

Diver - 9-13-2008 at 06:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Are you running Vista?
Diane


No way !

I am running XP on 3 computers with very limited problems.
The old back-up still runs '98 and even Zack can't kill it ! :lol:

CaboRon - 9-13-2008 at 06:28 PM

I have been running Vista for the last 16 months ...

I am very happy with it ....

And I love the colors ....

CaboRon

Hook - 9-13-2008 at 06:30 PM

I saw SP 3 for XP prompted by my computer. I always have the setting where it notifies you of updates but does not download them. I wait until I see if others have had problems. Thanks for the warning.

About a month ago, my mother in law installed SP 2 for Vista and it caused all kinds of problems with her basic Dell machine that was only a year old. It took a techie in India about 4 hours to fix her computer after that. He said that's all he was doing lately; fixing problems with Vista SP 2 on computers.

BigWooo - 9-13-2008 at 06:30 PM

I had issues with service pack 3 on my desktop. I searched for bulletin boards about how to fix the problem. I found a lot of posts about similar issues. Apparently there are some bugs that Microsoft is trying to work out.

If you have auto updates activated, what I did to get rid of the download icon in the task bar (bottom right) was to click the little yellow shield in the bottom right. When the download window came up I clicked "custom installation" then unchecked the service pack three box. After clicking "ok" the program didn't download and the download icon in the task bar (bottom right) eventually went away.

oxxo - 9-13-2008 at 07:27 PM

I run Vista with no problems in Mexico. In some ways it is better than XP, in other ways worse.

Skipjack Joe - 9-13-2008 at 07:38 PM

Thanks for the heads up Diane.

wiltonh - 9-13-2008 at 11:24 PM

The issue around not finding wireless with XP-SP3 is related to the wireless zero service. It normally should be running after you boot but from what I understand, SP3 makes the machine come up with this service not running in some cases.

There are other ways to cause this to happen and the one that got me was using several wireless cards with their own drivers. They often shut off wireless zero so they can do their own thing.

It is quite easy to start wireless zero and make it start every time the machine is booted.

Here is the method that I use:

1. Go to control panel and click on Administrative tools.
2. Click on services.
3. Slide down to the bottom part of the list and find Wireless Zero Configuration.
4. Double click Wireless Zero Configuration
5. Change Startup/type to Automatic
6. Click on Start

You should now be able to find wireless access points.

I fixed a computer for a guy just out side of La Paz a year or two ago who had this exact issue.

Wilton

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by wiltonh]

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by wiltonh]

mariposajim - 9-14-2008 at 04:13 AM

My understanding is that the SP 3 issues are with certain manufacturers. Seems to affect Vista more than XP. Have had no problems with my acer pc.
Jim

Baja-Brit - 9-14-2008 at 04:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
I have been running Vista for the last 16 months ...

I am very happy with it ....


CaboRon


I'm running Vista 64 bit edition, I like it and have not had any issues with it. :cool:

You'll all be running Vista before long so try and embrace it.

It won't be long (2010 I believe) before XP is no longer supported.

Something to bear in mind.


As you were.



[Edited on 14-9-2008 by Baja-Brit]

CaboRon - 9-14-2008 at 06:24 AM

As far as I know, Service Pack 3 is only for XP, not Vista ...

Vista is on Service Pack 1.1 (KB929729) at this time ....

There is no Service Pack 2 or 3 for vista at this time ....

CaboRon

capt. mike - 9-14-2008 at 06:46 AM

same thing here. my laptop stopped getting wifi after an auto load of SP3. had to take it to a tech. fix was easy - SP3 wants to disable your laptops already built in wifi program - in my case HP, and switch it to a MS program. What arrogant Bastards micro soft are!!!!
well we simply went to add delete programs and took out the SP3 's added MS wifi and all was good again. i did not take out all of SP 3 just the added program it put in to take over my wifi.

bajajudy - 9-14-2008 at 07:06 AM

Interesting.
My automatic updates came up yesterday with SP3 on my Vista OS on my sony laptop.
I didnt have time to deal with it and didnt install it.
Will have to think about it now
thanks

Hook - 9-14-2008 at 08:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
As far as I know, Service Pack 3 is only for XP, not Vista ...

Vista is on Service Pack 1.1 (KB929729) at this time ....

There is no Service Pack 2 or 3 for vista at this time ....

CaboRon


It must have been SP 1 for Vista that I was thinking of. 1.1 probably fixes the issues (yeah, right) for 1.0

XP SP3

MrBillM - 9-14-2008 at 09:17 AM

On two of my units, there were UpChuck issues (including one dreaded BSoD) with the SP3 install and it failed. During both installs. I had continued to work on other programs.

On a third machine, I made a point of closing all running programs and let the machine complete its installation. No problems at all.

Subsequently, I followed the same protocol on the original two. No problem.

I have since loaded SP3 on my two additional (total of five) computers running XP.

So far, there haven't been any Wireless or Broadband issues and the various machines have different connections. Only my Dell Laptop uses the factory internal Wireless G card. Three of the others are third-party (Linksys and Trendnet).

As stated earlier, it is usually pretty easy to correct any wireless configuration problem with the Windows Zero Configuration utility, although it sometimes requires tweaking.

AND, Yes, Service Pack 3 is ONLY for XP.

SDRonni - 9-14-2008 at 10:31 AM

This apparently isn't just in Baja. My sis-in-law had a power outage the other day. Afterwards, her wireless internet connection wouldn't work. I hooked up via ethernet cable and was able to connect to internet. Was on the phone w/AT&T forEVER and they couldn't figure it out. Neither could I. They referred me to HP, but my sis' computer is out of warranty. She's running Vista on a laptop. AT&T said it was a problem with the Broadcom wireless adapter, yet the computer shows that component is running fine. Any suggestions???

COmputer Support

rob - 9-14-2008 at 10:37 AM

I have installed SP3 without problems, but, stuck out here on the Pacific beach, do not have wifi problems.

I have had great fortune with the support received from

http://www.techsupportforum.com/

They are a very generous group with their time (free), and if you can't get local support, try them.

DianaT - 9-14-2008 at 10:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SDRonni
This apparently isn't just in Baja. My sis-in-law had a power outage the other day. Afterwards, her wireless internet connection wouldn't work. I hooked up via ethernet cable and was able to connect to internet. Was on the phone w/AT&T forEVER and they couldn't figure it out. Neither could I. They referred me to HP, but my sis' computer is out of warranty. She's running Vista on a laptop. AT&T said it was a problem with the Broadcom wireless adapter, yet the computer shows that component is running fine. Any suggestions???



Read the post a few posts above yours---might solve your sister's wireless problem. Hope so!

Diane

Wiles - 9-14-2008 at 04:42 PM

Installed sp 3.1 on my laptop last week. No issues whatsoever.

SDRonni - 9-15-2008 at 10:37 AM

Thanks so much for all your help! I actually was able to fix my sis-in-law's computer and now she thinks I'm a genius!!! Uh-oh, this might not have been a good thing!!!!