Sometimes technical, sometimes not, never a kitty

I've had the "Access Denied" error on two machines when I tried to install Windows XP SP3.  The real bummer is it happens about halfway through the installation, and you've invested a pretty good amount of time just getting to that point.

I'm not sure what causes the error, but since both machines were development machines, it may be connected to the use of aspnet_setreg or similar security measure.  At the day job, the network guys have installed SP3 on over 125 other machines without incident.

The fix discussed below worked on both my machines:

http://blog.malwareteks.com/correct-access-denied-error-while-installing-windows-xp-sp3-release-candidate-2/

Be prepared

We have an old Dell Dimension 4400 with Windows XP Home Edition, SP1.  When we tried to upgrade to Windows XP SP2, the system slowed to a crawl.  It was terrible.  When I removed SP2, it worked great again.  I found one webpage which suggested replacing the standard hard drive would fix the problem.  I tried that, and no dice.  I replaced the Seagate with a Maxtor and Western Digital (I have these things laying around, since I'm kind of a pack rat when it comes to PC parts).

I had hopes that SP3 would not have the same issue, but it did as well.  Once I removed the SP, it worked great again.  My resolution in this case, since the computer is several years old and is wifey's main PC, is to get a new one and redeploy this one as something else.

Following up yesterday's post (http://rjdudley.com/blog/WindowsXPNotDeadYet.aspx):

Microsoft says Windows XP sales will end June 30 despite comments by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Microsoft says it's listening, but petition author Galen Gruman says Microsoft counts a Windows Vista sale even with an option to downgrade to Windows XP. Galen's petition has more than 170,000 names asking Microsoft to save Windows XP.

Full story at http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=121009GB4QVS&nl=2

The recent outcry from fans of Windows XP -- or at least from people who hate Vista so badly they don't want to buy it -- appears to have reached the ears of Steve Ballmer. The Microsoft CEO said the company would listen to its customers if they want to continue to buy XP.

full story at http://www.technewsworld.com/edpick/62741.html

If you haven't read the article "CodeSnip: Opening Crystal Reports in a New Window in ASP.NET" (http://aspalliance.com/525), do that before you read this.  I received this comment recently:

When I tried this, it was blocked by Windows XP SP2. When I said to temporary allow blocked items, it stated it had to refresh, and then nothing happen.  I got the original page back, not the new page containing the report.

Any suggestions.

My first suggestion is to make sure there are no other pop-up blockers installed and running.  Many antivirus programs install pop-up blockers (sometimes called "ad blockers"), and every search engine toolbar I know of also includes a pop-up blocker.  I use this codesnip in an application I wrote and support; on one support call, we found four pop-up blockers installed (XP SP2, McAfee, Google and Yahoo toolbars).

I also suggest permanently allowing pop-ups from the site you're working on--add your site to the "allowed sites" list (Tools >> Popup Blocker>> Popup Blocker Settings, then enter the URL of your site).  This will always allow pop-ups from the site in question, and will make debugging easier.

If you are exporting to PDF, XLS, etc. in this window, there are a couple of other settings you may need to adjust.  Go to Tools >> Internet Options >>Security, and choose the zone your website is in (Internet or Local Intranet), and click "Custom Level".  Scroll down about 1/3 of the way, to the Downloads section, and Enable both "Automatic prompting for file downloads" and "File download".  In my case, I've had to adjust these settings for both zones, since I develop and test in Local Intranet, but deploy to Internet.

I have yet to have a problem after doing all of these things.  You may need to close and restart IE to get all the settings to take effect.

Now playing: Marc Broussard - Home

Using XP Pro on two different computers (Dell Dimension and Sony Vaio).  After installing a series of MS patches, my system hangs when I right-click on a file or shortcut.  I ripped all the patches off both computers, and right-click worked again (uninstalled them--forgot to set system restore point).  Put the patches back on the Dell, right click hangs the system.  Taking them off one at a time will be time consuming, but I'm about to start.

Anyone had similar problem that figured out which patch caused this, or how to fix the problem?  Taking them off one at a time will be time consuming, but I'll do it if I have to.  I used Windows Update on both systems.

Microsoft Workaround Fixes Problem!

After much Googling, I found two articles covering the issue (Windows XP right click gobbles up CPU time and Microsoft confirms XP right click memory hog problem) and the Microsoft KB Article Temporary Decline in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in Windows Explorer.  Running a couple tests confirmed I was experiencing the same problem.  And, after following the workaround in the KB article, I can right-click again.