Microsoft Service Pack 3 Experiencing Problems With Some HP Desktops

On Wednesday, May 7th 2008, Microsoft released the long awaited Windows XP SP3. Almost immediately hundreds of users registered complaints ranging from complete crashes to looping reboots. Similar problems have accompanied previous service packs and are usually the result of conflicting software.

Now, a few days later, it’s known that many of the reports are specific to HP Computers with AMD processors. Copies of Windows intended for Intel-based machines were used by OEMs on AMD-based computers. According to Microsoft the blame sits squarely on HP and possibly other OEMs

Jesper Johansson , a well respected MVP in Windows Security, has been helpful in identifying this problem and was quoted in a May 12th Article from Gregg Keizer of ComputerWorld. “The problem is that HP, and possibly other OEMs, deploy the same image to Intel-based desktops that they do to AMD-based desktops”. Many of us already know the problems associated with installing the wrong drivers on a system and this is exactly the same situation. Thankfully this problem is restricted to HP desktop models and does not affect their laptops.

In addition to the above problem there is a separate “no boot” situation specific to the Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard, which also is designed for AMD processors.

If you are seeing the error code: STOP:0x000000A5 after installing SP3 then you can use a USB flash drive as a temporary fix. Once you’ve installed a USB flash drive or other secondary storage device you will be able to boot your computer. This certainly is not convenient but will help until the problem is properly solved.

A flurry of fixes immediately after releasing a major service pack is nothing new to Windows users. The unlimited configuration possibilities almost assure there will be some necessary adjustments. Microsoft seems to be reacting quickly this time, with updates coming every day since SP3s original release.

There is no doubt this problem will be rectified but PC Pitstop cannot recommend installing Windows XP SP3 at this time
. Information on the issues addressed with this important update can be found in our recent article "Windows SP3: The Long Journey

For those who have already installed this service pack and are experiencing problems, we suggest referencing Microsoft Help and Support document
KB888372
dated May 6th, 2008. In some cases the fix can be as easy as using your Add/Remove programs utility to remove the offending service pack. You can find assistance with SP3 removal from this Microsoft Support Document "How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer".

Keep checking with us for updates on this important service pack.
KB888372

How To Correct The Problem If You've All Ready Had It Happen

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information applies only if you have an AMD processor.

After installing the initial release of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP an error condition can occur. The Service Pack 3 update copies an Intel power management driver to the computer that was not on the computer before the update. During Windows startup, computers with AMD processors may experience a blue screen error that displays similar to the following:
A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer...
Technical information:
*** STOP: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005, 0xFC5CCAF3, 0xFC90F8C0, 0xFC90F5C0 SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
After the error quickly displays, the computer restarts and briefly displays the error again. The error cycle repeats continuously. Use the following process to fix this problem:

CAUTION:
Only perform this procedure on computers that are using AMD processors.

Step 1: Disable Intel Power Management Prevent the Intel Power Management driver from loading during system startup:
list of 8 items
1. Restart the computer in Safe Mode:
list of 6 items nesting level 1
a. Turn off the computer by pressing and holding the power button until the computer shuts down.
b. Wait about 5 seconds.
c. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
d. Turn on the computer and immediately begin pressing the F8 key repeatedly (at the HP or Compaq logo screen) until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears.
e. Press the Up Arrow key until Safe Mode (top of list) is highlighted, and press the Enter key.
f. Press Enter again if an OS selection screen displays.
The Computer restarts into Safe Mode.
If the computer does not restart to Safe Mode and continues to display the Stop error, skip to the next section:

Step 2 .
list end nesting level 1
2. Click Yes in the "Windows is running in safe mode" window.
3. Right-click the Start button, and select Explore .
4. Browse to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.
5. Find and right-click the file intelppm.sys .
6. Select Rename and type the text: XXXintelppm.syx .
7. Press Enter and look to make sure the file was renamed successfully.
8. Close the Explorer window, and restart Windows.
The error no longer opens and the computer starts normally.

Step 2: Use Microsoft Recovery Console to rename intelppm.sys
If the computer is unable to open Windows XP Safe Mode, use Microsoft Windows Recovery Console:
list of 6 items
1. Restart your computer in the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.
list of 8 items nesting level 1
a. Turn off the computer by pressing and holding the power button until the computer shuts down.
b. Wait about 5 seconds.
c. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
d. Turn on the computer and immediately begin pressing the F8 key repeatedly (at the HP or Compaq logo screen) until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears.
e. Press the Down Arrow key until Return to OS Choices Menu (bottom of list) is highlighted, and press the Enter key.
f. Press the Down Arrow key until Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is highlighted, and press the Enter key.
g. At the screen "Which Windows installation would you like to log onto" type the number that matches C:\Windows, and press the Enter key.
h. When prompted, type the Administrator password and press the Enter key. If no password has been created, leave the password filed empty, and press the Enter key.
The Microsoft Windows Recovery Console opens and a command prompt is shown.
list end nesting level 1
2. At the C:\WINDOWS> prompt, type the following: cd c:\windows\system32\drivers
3. Make sure the text has been entered correctly and press the Enter key.
4. At the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS> prompt, type the following: rename intelppm.sys
XXXintelppm.syx 5. Make sure the text has been entered correctly and press the Enter key.
6. The computer restarts. If prompted, select Start Windows Normally and press the Enter key.
The error no longer opens and the computer starts normally.

Related Support
Microsoft support article:
You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a non-Intel-processor-based computer (In English)
NOTE:
One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP Web site.

Updated on ... May 21, 2008