Service pack 2 and AMD 64

[talktwo]

Wow ... who would have known there'd be so many incompatibilities (obviously M$ did) with AMD 64 processors and Service pack 2!!

So here I am, happily installing Service pack 2 on all of my computers singing a merry little song in my head. The first three went off without a hitch or hiccup, everything running smoothly ... and all programs running fine ... and the solar system is still intact.

So with a happy Slipknot tune playing in my head I go to install Service Pack 2 onto my AMD 64 machine. Of course, the service pack installs a-ok, and quite quickly to do so might I add (maybe it's this way so that you don't have time to cancel the install ... else lotta tech support agents would be out of a job). So I reboot the machine as Windows commands me to ... I really didn't have a choice ... it was their way or the highway ... I could almost hear evil voices laughing louder as I moved the mouse closer to the "Finish" button.

The system reboots, and I can hardly wait to feel the adrenaline rush through my body as I approach the 21st century with the latest insecurity patches ... but hark, what's this?? Windows loads, I see the "start" button as if to tease me, then the computer promptly reboots ... and this happens in a loop (by now the evil voices are cackling and having a beer to rejoice themselves).

Well ... to save you any more long structured reading ... here are my unsuccessful attempts to fight the greater evil:

1. Rebooted into Safe mode turning off DEP and turning off "reboot on system crash"

2. After seeing a BSOD of 0x0000007 on reboot which may be a "hardware and/or software issue" or you may be unclean, or maybe your computer is interfering with the feng shui of your room, or maybe the stars aren't in line with the moon, or Ozzy Osbourne is having a bad day, or ... well anyways, I decided to run Memtest86 on my system (2 hours) to check the memory ... and I showered, just in case.

3. RAM turned out a-ok. So now ... I'm humming a sad song in my head and trying to figure out what could be wrong. I did install this version of Windows using a Ghost 9.0 image, maybe that could be it ... so on a little Googling, I find this:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...0&csm=no&tpre=
(obviously, their solution was unsuccessful ...)

4. So here I am, praying to the computer gods, willing to sacrifice a baby goat for them hoping that they will shine some light on the situation ... and yes, it works ... so the next time you have a computer problem, sacrifice a goat. Now, I don't know why I didn't think of actually going to the creators of Service Pack 2 before hand ... but ... well I have no excuse
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=884130

Moral of the story: Stay in school, learn to read everything before you take action, and eat your spinach (so you can become strong and throw the computer out the window if needed).

FYI, the program that was causing the rebooting issue: Zonealarm 4.5.594 ... uninstalled and the evil voices grumbled. Till next time, keep fit, and have fun

[ZeeTX]

I never trusted ZoneAlaram. Your Topic should have been Service Pack 2 and ZoneAlaram and not AMD64.

I too have a AMD64-SLi setup and thankfully never ever had a problem with WinXP-SP2.

[Nubee]

I agree with ZeeTX on this one. Have Amd64 and from day one never had a problem with Sp2. But on one of my athlon xp setup, I had various problems while using zonealarm ( the free one ). Maybe they want me to buy the zonealarm pro?

[v00d00]

I originally had some trouble with SP2 on my AMD64... needed to wait until my Mobo released new bios drivers.

Since then, I went with WinXP w/SP2 combined in the install. I hate to recommend it.. but try and recover your data whatever means possible (slave the drive and rip the data?), then format, do a clean install of WinXP.. immediately followed with SP2, then be sure all your drivers are the most current.

I've known quite a few people who've had too much trouble putting SP2 on currently used WinXP's.. seems to be best on a clean install.

Damn you m$!

Oh yeah.. I still have a laptop that doesn't have SP2 because it didn't like my Emachines M6805 (AMD64). Perhaps Emachines has since released new bios or drivers.. I should check into it, but the laptop has been working flawless WITHOUT SP2.. perhaps thanks to Firefox?

[talktwo]

I never trusted ZoneAlaram. Your Topic should have been Service Pack 2 and ZoneAlaram and not AMD64.

I too have a AMD64-SLi setup and thankfully never ever had a problem with WinXP-SP2.

Actually ... it is specifically pertaining to AMD 64 ... because Zonealarm works fine on 32-bit processors.

There are certain programs that work on 32-bit but not a 64-bit processor with SP2. i.e. Zonealarm, Photoshop, Pinnacle studios

[ZeeTX]

Actually ... it is specifically pertaining to AMD 64 ... because Zonealarm works fine on 32-bit processors.

There are certain programs that work on 32-bit but not a 64-bit processor with SP2. i.e. Zonealarm, Photoshop, Pinnacle studios

No. that's not true. If you are running ZoneAlaram version 5.0 or below then it might not run on any 64-bit processors...be it AMD or INTEL.

FIY, visit ZoneAlaram's FAQ where you will find all the answers..
Here's a screenshot from ZoneAlaram website..



AMD64 is not the problem unless you have a software version ages old.

[radeonboy]

Okay I have an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ running Windows XP SP2, AND I'm also running ZoneAlarm 5.5.062.011. What gives?

I'm running all this without any problems.

[talktwo]

No. that's not true. If you are running ZoneAlaram version 5.0 or below then it might not run on any 64-bit processors...be it AMD or INTEL.

AMD64 is not the problem unless you have a software version ages old.

You correctly point out what was stated in the MS FAQ ... Anything above 5.5 will run correctly. However, as MS points out, the conflict seems to only be with 64-bit processors:

ZoneAlarm 4 Zone Labs 64-bit (NX) http://www.zonelabs.com If you install this program, you receive a Stop error every time your computer starts.
ZoneAlarm 4.5x Zone Labs 64-bit (NX) http://www.zonelabs.com This program does not install. If you try to install it, you receive an "8e" Stop error every time your computer starts.
ZoneAlarm 5.0.590 Zone Labs 32-bit and 64-bit (NX) http://www.zonelabs.com When you try to remove ZoneAlarm, you receive a Stop error message or your computer restarts before the uninstall program finishes.

but in any case, I'm running Zonealarm 4.5.594 on 3 of my other systems fine ... the conflict actually stems from the application and 64bit processors protected by the NX bit.

[talktwo]

Okay I have an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ running Windows XP SP2, AND I'm also running ZoneAlarm 5.5.062.011. What gives?

I'm running all this without any problems.

5.5 runs fine as is stated on the Zonelabs site ... you're safe ;-)

but i've just heard some issues regarding 5.x ... so I'm reluctant to install it.

[ZeeTX]

I'm running Zonealarm 4.5.594 on 3 of my other systems fine ...

Now, that's where you have the problem. Anything of ZoneAlaram version 5.0 and below will have some or the other problem with any 64-bit processors not just AMD.

But anyways, as I said earlier I do not trust ZoneAlaram from the begining - I had problems with the software conflicting with my OS even on my 32-bit systems hence I decided never to look back at it again ..

[AudiDude]

Actually ... it is specifically pertaining to AMD 64 ... because Zonealarm works fine on 32-bit processors.

There are certain programs that work on 32-bit but not a 64-bit processor with SP2. i.e. Zonealarm, Photoshop, Pinnacle studios

I am running Photoshop on at least 6 AMD 64 computers with service pack 2 and no problems.

[Max_Dealing]

I had problems with Blackice and SP2. Mind you SP2 has not been kind to me.

I defiantly think that there are issues with SP2 and AMD 64 but I have not worked out my own pc problems. So all I can say is windows is not perfect.

[CodecX81]

the moral of the story is, don't install needless crap on your PC. Why does anyone use a software firewall!??!!? I've never seen one that didn't cause issues.. and they don't do anything beyond what a hardware (router) is able to do.

use hardware devices wherever you can to cap the limit of exposure to bugs and glitches... windows enjoys to be left in-tact.

setup a spam email for any junk you want to sign up for and never let it touch your email program of choice. ( this will limit the possibility of downloading any viral attachments by mistake)

Also, if it says symantec and comes in a yellow box. Place it on the ground, and back away slowly.

[v00d00]

I am running Photoshop on at least 6 AMD 64 computers with service pack 2 and no problems.

Wow you must be rich..... or...

Well anyway.. yeah I gotta agree, I am using an AMD64 + SP2 + Photoshop.. no probs.

[ZeeTX]

the moral of the story is, don't install needless crap on your PC.

Use hardware devices wherever you can to cap the limit of exposure to bugs and glitches... windows enjoys to be left in-tact.

Also, if it says symantec and comes in a yellow box. Place it on the ground, and back away slowly.

LOL - I agree on this that "Norton" has gone worse than ever - just with a bloated interface and hogging all the resources and bringing down even a powerful system..