Problems After W2K-SP3 download

[jp437538]

Ever since downloading the Service Pack 3 for W2K from Microsoft, I have been experiencing any number of problems.

First, I lost the connection to the Character Map (Insert/Special Characters in Word 2000 Pro), although it is still available under System Tools.

Purchased a new sound card (Turtle Bay/Santa Cruz) this weekend when my old ES/ESS1869 lost one audio channel, and apparently the thing won't work without being able to set Administrative Tools/Services/Windows Audio to Automatic -- which option also apparently disappeared with the SP3 download... (Windows is also unable to load Crystal SoundFusion drivers, although I do not know if this has any bearing on the working of the Santa Cruz sound card). Despite the fact the problems began occurring upon the event of the MS website download, Microsoft won't even allow me to submit a Passport request because they say since the OS is OEM, it's the manufacturer's problem - but the manufacturer is "deceased". Can anyone offer any solutions (or even direct me to where I might be able to find same)?

[Steve]

Hi jp437538,

I had a lot of strange problems when I added sp3 to my system, too. I was quite happy with the original install, (sp2) so after fussing with sp3 for a while I just went back to the original install.

Unless there is something in sp3 that you need, you might want to do the same. If M$ wont support it you may be better off without it.

[LadyGrey]

Hi jp,
I just did the same thing not long ago. I installed the new and "improved" SP3 and had nothing but trouble from then on. I got rid of it and went right back to SP2. Not a problem since. Just get rid of SP3,it's not worth the hassles and go on back to SP2, at least we know it works fine. Take care, LG;)

[Budfred]

There is a security patch in SP3 that is supposed to be very important, but there is also a workaround for the patch. I saw the alternate in an ariticle on www.pcworld.com , but I don't have the link handy, sorry.

Budfred