Problems installing SP2 previously now can't try again without errors

Hello Sandy,

Please download the standalone version of Windows® SP2, and 'save' it to your computer, do not select the "Run" or "Open" options.

Windows® Service Pack 2 Standalone download. (Click the coloured link.)

Disconnect from the Internet; disable all Firewalls; Anti Virus Programs, and any 'real time monitoring' Spyware Programs.

Install the Service Pack, without interruptions. (Do not do any other work on the computer during this installation.)
When finished, the computer will force you to reboot; reconnect the Internet during the reboot.
When back at the Desktop enable all disabled Security programs.

Please post back with the results, and if there are any other queries/concerns.

Kind Regards,

Hello Sandy,

This is indeed interesting. :4-dontkno

Unfortunately I cannot open that 'SP2 Problem Event Log.zip' file on my computer, as it has created a weird extension; so what I need you to do for us is for you to take a screenshot of the particular 'Error Message' and post it back here for it to be analysed.

How to post a Screenshot. (Click the coloured link.)

Lets see if we can at least get this cantankerous contraption of yours to behave properly....

Please do a "System Restore" back to the 'oldest' date/time that is recorded...This is how...

Go Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.

Once the System Restore pane opens, select Restore my computer to to an earlier time > Next > in the next pane please select the "<" symbol on the calendar on the left; then, select the earliest bold date; this will then list the Restore Point/s for that day; select the earliest one > Next and allow the computer to Restore the system files and reboot.
Once the Desktop appears, it will be blank for a few minutes (this is normal) until the restore point is completed and the icons appear.

Now check in the Control Panel in Add/Remove Programs (tick Show Updates) and see if Windows Service Pack 2 is listed, and if it is try and uninstall it.

Post back with the screenshot and the outcome of your attempt to remove Service Pack 2.

Kind Regards,

HI. Dave.
I had previously tried System Restore to a bold date. Several dates infact to no avail. (All of the dates were recent but before the SP2 attempts)It appears to be restoring but after reboot, it says it was unable to restore to that date and nothing has changed on my system. I still see SP2 on Add/Remove Programs and cannot remove them. As I am typing I am remembering my brother came over and did install SP2 previously many months back trying to help get my computer up to date. It totally acted bizarre and wouldn't allow media center to function and I remember my internet was all screwy so we did a Remove by following instructions found on the internet. Not sure if this is why the system restore wont go back or if something I did with the virus/malware removal just previously. End of March. I didn't attempt to restore to prior to this date as I didn't know if I would reintroduce the virus junk again. TECHSUPPORT forum helped me rid my computer and it was a process I didn't want to relive if possible.

I will attempt again and do the screenshot thing. My son is presently viewing a TV show on that computer (Media Center) so I am unable to do the screen shot at this very moment. Hopefully tonight(I am in Texas,USA)Thanks for your time.Sandy

Good Morning Dave,
I also tried to open that SP2event log file that i sent you and could not. Not sure how to recreate it either(I tried to search to no avail). I did see the log of the updates that were installed successfully and failed and I will send the screen shot of the first few recent pages. I scrolled through the rest and didn't see any updates pertaining to the service packs so I didn't include them.

Yes it is weird how the internet has opened up so many possibilities but problems also. If we didn't have internet, I probably wouldn't be trying to fix this update problem either! ha-ha

Thank you again for all of your effort.
Sandy:wave:

Hi Sandy,

I apologise for the delayed response.

The advice received is for you to try this method...

(By following this method, it should allow for a ‘clean’ installation of Service Pack 2.)

Step One:
Open My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View.
Once in this pane, scroll down to Hidden files and folders > click the button Show hidden files and folders.
Immediately under this listing, Untick Hide extensions for known file types and Hide protected Operating System files (recommended) > Apply > OK.

Now, Right Click the C: Drive Icon > explore.
In the Left pane scroll down to WINDOWS and click the + sign > search for $NtServicePackUninstall$ (it should be in the first 4 listings at the top) > Right Click > Open.
There will be a folder, spuninst visible > Right Click Open > look for spuninst.exe > (Please ensure that it shows as Service Pack 2 in this folder, and not Service Pack 1); double click on it to allow the Service Pack Uninstaller to start.
Obviously, if the SP2 uninstaller is not present; go to Step 2.

When the uninstallation is complete is complete, reboot the computer.
Try installing Service Pack 2 again.

Step Two:
If the elusive Service Pack 2 uninstaller is not present; download, install, and run the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility, to remove the listing from the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs section. (Click the coloured link.)
Tip: When downloading, "Save" it to your computer, rather then using the "Run" or "Open" options.

Post back with the outcome.
Good Luck with it!

Kind Regards,

Good Day Dave,
OK. I did the first step and of course the $NtServicePackUninstall$ was there but it did not specifically say SP1 or SP2(neither) so I proceeded to option 2. I downloaded and ran the installer but it found no program that looks like windows SP2 either. When I go to Add/Remove, I clearly see it but it has no storage amt. listed. I believe this was the same way it appeared before all of this when the SP2 wouldn't install.
Please advise....I will send a screen shot of the Add/Remove page of what I see.
Thanks,
Sandy

Hi Sandy,

The 'hidden' $NtServicePack$ file is the SP2 uninstaller, so the suggestion is to try Method One described above.
This is because Service Pack One was integrated on your original Windows® XP CD, so therefore it cannot be uninstalled.
Before you do, and to be on the safe side, create a Restore Point and call it, say, Before SP2 uninstall.

As far as those 'rogue' SP2 listings in the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel; the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility will help you get rid of them.

I am saying 'rogue' listings because the icon next to the Service Pack listing indicates that it is a Windows Media Player program, and of course it is not!

Use the SP2 uninstaller first; then, the Clean Up Utility before you make yet another attempt to reinstall SP2.
Perhaps it would be wise to report back here about the success/failure first.

Kind Regards,

Dave,
I just want to clarify what I am doing prior to doing something incorrectly. Here is a screenshot of my options to uninstall. It is my understanding that I once I locate the spuninst.exe folder I double click on it and it will begin deleting?? Is this correct?? I attached a screenshot of what is in the spuninst.exe folder. It does have SP1 info in there so I just wanted to clarify that this is the right folder. I am unsure if just double clicking on it will begin unstalling it of if I have to delete this folder. It is late here which could explain some of my brain fogging....sorry. I will look at your answer in the am if you replied and proceed from there.

Pardon, I just re-read my options and I think I made it more difficult than it really is. Please let me know if the folder I am double clicking on it the one in the screen shot with the computer logo next to it? I for some reason thought I was getting rid of the whole spuninst folder instead of just the .exe one.
Thanks,
Sandy:wave:

Hi Sandy,

This is very interesting indeed.:sigh:
Please have a look at the image (we need to know which SP it actually is in here) then post back with the info.

Greetings Dave,
Well I clicked on the spuninst.inf and posted a screenshot. Not sure if the version information is all that you needed to see that it mentions SP1 & SP2.

Am I still waiting on uninstalling?
Sandy:wave:

PS. I am getting good at this screenshot thing!

Well Dave,
I was so excited to finally click on the file, it began the deletion and when it got to catalogs(I think remove catalog files??), it stopped and gave me this error. :sigh:

Apparently, these catalog files are MIA. Not sure what or how this happened. Any suggestions?? The next reply I received was that Service Pack 2 removal is not completed.
On this note, I am off to
Thank you for all you are doing to help me,
Sandy

Hi Sandy,

Sorry for all the problems that this cantankerous contraption is causing, it is indeed becoming a real irksome child. :laugh:

It now sounds like when you 'uninstalled' SP2 previously, the uninstallation was either incorrectly performed or it corrupted itself somehow.

Collapse the spuninst file, and just right click it from the tree in the left pane and delete it!
After that, reboot the computer; then, run the Windows CleanUp Utility to ensure that there is nothing left.

Reboot the computer again; this time, upon powering up, have another attempt at installing SP2. :4-dontkno

Let me know the outcome.

Regards,