SP2 error drvmain.sdb is open

[Terry]

While installing SP2 I'm getting error "drvmain.sdb is
open or in use by another application" I tried re naming
drvmain.sdb to old did not help. The SP2 install stops at
this error. Looking for ideas
Thanks
Terry

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

While installing SP2 I'm getting error "drvmain.sdb is
open or in use by another application" I tried re naming
drvmain.sdb to old did not help. The SP2 install stops at
this error. Looking for ideas

Hi

I suggest you download the full SP2 installation and use it to
install SP2 in SAFE MODE (press F8 repeatedly early in the Windows
startup process).

Note this one if you get it to install in Safe mode:

How to Install Service Packs and Hotfixes When Windows Is Running
in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=818460

"Important If you do install a service pack or update while Windows
is running in Safe mode, immediately reinstall it after you start
Windows normally."


SP2 is available at the Microsoft Download Center
(standalone "network" version, 266 MB):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a


If you think that download is to large, you can get the same
file on a CD from Microsoft.

The Windows XP SP2 CD order point:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx


Also, you should clean out this folder (WU5's temporary download
folder) to get rid of the SP2 temporary installation files from
your previous installation (if installed from Windows Update):

%windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\

(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)

 

[Brad Teeters]

I had the same problem, and it was caused by some bad sectors on the
hard drive. The event log showed the problem. Open a command prompt,
RUN, "CMD", then type "chkdsk /f", it will say it cannot check the
drive now, do you want to run at the next boot, respond yes, then do a
reboot, and let it run the check disk.

Hope this fixes it for you as well.

 

[maxmuxx]

You need to shut down the process tied to drvmain.sdb. It's probably one of the svchost instances in task manager. Use Process Explorer to see which svchost you need to kill.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx