[flixotide]

--- NOTE ---

EDIT: just updated at Microsoft see this support article

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For those of you who experience booting problems after applying windows XP SP2, I can refer to knowledgebase article 555185. (not currently online, being edited AFAIK)

This particular problem seems to be with certain prescott, celeron and extreme edition CPU's and certain chipsets, and will cause the initial boot to take VERY LONG TIME.

The article 555185 explains how to go around the issue, but you will have to wait until its online again.

Cheers, FliX

P.S. If someone has a copy if it locally, do post it.

[redduc900]

Installation of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) on systems using Intel® Desktop Processors

http://www.intel.com/support/process.../CS-015171.htm

In response to a query, Intel wrote:

The problem of SP2 not installing on Prescott (Celerons) and Extreme Edition CPUs has been identified. The problem appears to be due to the machine's BIOS not installing a production level microcode update. To check whether the BlOS is at the correct level, download the Intel Processor Frequency ID utility from this page: http://support.intel.com/support/pro...s/frequencyid/

The microcode version is identified by this utility as "CPU Revision". So for this CPU:

* CPU Family = 15

* CPU Model = 3

* CPU Stepping = 4

The microcode revision should be at least 8 (if it is zero, then no microcode update was installed at all):

* CPU Revision = 8

If the microcode revision is not 8, then boot into Safe Mode. Rename the file %windir%\system32\drivers\update.sys so that it does not load. Apply the SP2 upgrade file and the machine should boot properly.

Frequently check the website of your motherboard manufacturer for BIOS updates as the above is a temporary workaround and may cause instability.

This is the link to the MSKB article flixotide mentioned, but as he said...it hasn't been updated yet:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;555185

[flixotide]

Thanks for the copy redduc900, I'm sure it'll solve a lot of headaches around here.

Cheers mate,

Flix

[flixotide]

bump

Microsoft article has been changed to article 885626

Remember to check before you upgrade to SP2 if you own a Prescott, Celeron or Extreme Edition P4

Cheers, Flix

[redduc900]

Critical Update for Windows XP (KB885626)

Overview
This non-security critical update helps resolve an issue where a limited number of systems running a BIOS without production support for Intel Pentium 4 and Intel Celeron D processors based on Prescott C-0 stepping can potentially hang on Windows XP Service Pack 2 installation. After you install this update, you may have to restart your computer.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en