Dell Reinstall Then Adding Service Pack 3, Dell SP2 to SP3

[p71rock]

Hi all. This was my first try at installing SP3. Just some notes for you out there about my fresh install / reloading a Dell PC with a Dell Windows HOME SP2 CD. [This was for a client computer, other forums stat that you should use third party firewalls and I do but not for this customer.]<-updated

. I formated the Hard Drive - OK
. Installed Windows using a Dell Windows XP Home SP2 CD - OK
. Installed drivers - OK
. Set Windows update to tell me when updates were available and let me download them. -
. ** note the Windows firewall was set to ON. <-updated

. Installed SP3 [the full downloaded version] - FAILED!!!!

* I tried the IE - Windows installer v3.1 and Genuine checker needed to be installed.
. Installed these [see note above] - OK
. Then I rebooted and tried to install the SP3 - It worked!!!

* Issues after rebooting.
. Windows wanted me to set the Windows Firewall either on or off. [ I set it to ON ] -

* Windows fully booted and It seemed that I was up and going. -
. I then proceeded to check my settings.

1) The update set the Windows update to FULL ON status -
2) The Windows Firewall was shut OFF - [Dumb Microsoft]
3) I unchecked all references to Remote access [ Firewall and in the My Computer properties]

*** System boots faster and now works fine, but there seems to be an issue with the notify updates - it does not allow you to see, select, download, and install them. after a few reboots of install .Net 1.0 and 2.0 the updater started working again.*** <-updated