User reports began to spread on the Internet who encountered a blank device manager and network connections after upgrading their Windows XP system to Service Pack 3. The problem was largely attributed to software that was monitoring the Registry for changes, many Symantec customers had problems with a feature called SymProtect that would cause the post-installation problems.
Symantec issued a patch on June 5th and Microsoft released a patch as well a few days ago that should solve the issue for users who are experiencing blank device managers and are missing networks in the network connections menu.
Users now have the choice to use the Microsoft patch or the Symantec fix to correct the issue. Using the Symantec fix however makes only sense if a Symantec product was installed on the system during the upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Related posts:
Symantec Registry Fix for Windows XP Service Pack 3Windows XP Service Pack 3 Issues
Windows XP Service Pack 3 leaked
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Pre Beta of Windows XP Service Pack 3 leaked


Ha. If you are using Symantec products, then you deserve what you get. Symantec sucks.
Jojo I think the main problem with Symantec applications is that they demand to many resources which has the effect that system performance drops noticeably. Just watch the boot time with and without Symantec products installed ;)
@Martin:
So… why don’t they do something about this very irritating problem than?
Jojo’s right, they simply suck! :p
I hate Symantecs products too, they slow down computer too much.
I work in the software development and troubleshoot environment. I think we all know that Symantec has been building a enormous software factory of cr@p for a couple of years now. First thing I tell my clients, “lets start fresh and throw Symantec in the bin”. If it wasnt for their OEM deals they would have died out sometime ago. my two cents