Poor year Windows XP Service Pack 3 is not having the best of luck with its release and all-round delivery. The latest problem encountered by the update comes from the fact that some HP-branded AMD computers have had their Windows XP install made from an image aimed for Intel-powered systems. As explained by Microsoft the problem is a registry value, present on images created w/ Intel processors, that causes a driver (intelppm.sys) to load at boot. When intelppm.sys attempts to load on an AMD-based system upon the install of SP3, it causes a blue screen and a continuous reboot.

Since users have complained quite lot, and for good reason, about the issue, Microsoft has stated that it is installing a filter to Windows Update that would keep "affected" systems from being able to install Service Pack 3, at least until everything is fixed. HP has already stated that it has its people working on a patch.