smss.exe error when installing SP2

[PaulFXH]

Hi
I'm in the process of installing SP2 after a Repair-Install of WinXP
but repeatedly get this error:
"Another Application is using C:\Windows\System32\smss.exe". It then
suggests shutting down the App and trying again.
Problem is there ARE NO other apps running. I have disabled ALL
start-up programs in msconfig>startup in order to install SP2.
Yes, smss.exe is running but I understand that this is important for
session management and cannot be shut down (at least not by Task
Manager).
So, what can I do?

This is my third experience in installing SP2 with the other two
attempts having eventually proven successful after overcoming quite
different obstacles.
Please note that I am installing SP2 via download (I don't have the
CD).
I will also mention that there are two copies of smss.exe on my
computer; one in c:\windows\system32\ and the other in c:\i386\ (this
latter was deliberately installed to overcome a separate problem).
Therefore, I am sure I do not have the virus version of smss.exe on my
machine.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 4550 with 2.53GHz CPU and 512MB RAM. It
runs well when healthy and is rigorously protected against all malware.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Paul

 

[Alias]

Hi
I'm in the process of installing SP2 after a Repair-Install of WinXP
but repeatedly get this error:
"Another Application is using C:\Windows\System32\smss.exe". It then
suggests shutting down the App and trying again.
Problem is there ARE NO other apps running. I have disabled ALL
start-up programs in msconfig>startup in order to install SP2.
Yes, smss.exe is running but I understand that this is important for
session management and cannot be shut down (at least not by Task
Manager).
So, what can I do?

This is my third experience in installing SP2 with the other two
attempts having eventually proven successful after overcoming quite
different obstacles.
Please note that I am installing SP2 via download (I don't have the
CD).
I will also mention that there are two copies of smss.exe on my
computer; one in c:\windows\system32\ and the other in c:\i386\ (this
latter was deliberately installed to overcome a separate problem).
Therefore, I am sure I do not have the virus version of smss.exe on my
machine.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 4550 with 2.53GHz CPU and 512MB RAM. It
runs well when healthy and is rigorously protected against all malware.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Paul

When you did the repair install, did you use an XP with SP 1 to repair
an XP with SP2 already installed? If so, your only choice is a clean
install.

Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.
Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.

 

[PaulFXH]

Hi Alias
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, I am attempting a Repair-Install using the OEM WinXP CD (with
neither SP1 nor SP2) to repair an XP with SP2.
However, I have already done exactly this twice before without major
problems and I don't believe I was breaking any new ground in doing
this as it is well documented (see
:http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm).

Paul

 

[Alias]

Hi Alias
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, I am attempting a Repair-Install using the OEM WinXP CD (with
neither SP1 nor SP2) to repair an XP with SP2.
However, I have already done exactly this twice before without major
problems and I don't believe I was breaking any new ground in doing
this as it is well documented (see
:http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm).

Paul

I didn't know you could do that. I thought one had to slipstream SP2 in
order for a repair install to work. So, I'm afraid I'm not going to me
much help ...

Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.
Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.

 

[Guest]

I just dealt with this issue. It's simple to fix and you do NOT have to do a
clean install of Windows. What you'll need to do is create a new Windwos Xp
installation CD that is slipstreamed with SP2, and then run Windows setup in
repair mode and everything will be fine. For steps on creating the
slipstreamed CD, go to http://pcstats.com and use their search field to
search for the word slipstream. Also, I was only able to get the CD to boot
correctly using Nero to create the CD. For whatever reason, Roxio wouldn't
setup the boot sector of the CD correctly.

 

[Guest]

I'm getting the same error that paulFXH was having and am attempting to creat
the slipstream CD. My question is, does anyone know how to create the boot CD
either by using Nero Express or Easy CD Creator 7.5? I tried using both and
cannot get Windows to boot from the CD's I've created. Is there any other
workaround to this error, deleting Temp files, etc.???

 

[Guest]

I used the steps for Nero and had no problems getting it to boot from
CD...Get the latest trial of Nero and use that to create the disk. It worked
for me on the first attempt. I haven't tried Nero Express so I don't know if
it will work or not.