XP Pro is Corrupted

[Guest]

I need to reinstall XP Pro w/SP1, but since I updated to SP2 online, I had to
use the SP2 boot floppies. Now it won't recognize my XP Pro update CD with
SP1. Do I have any options?

 

[M and D]

Here are your options:

1. Uninstall SP2, reinstall, update to SP 2. (Easiest)
2. Create a slipstreamed install CD from your XP Pro CD, including SP 2. (More work, but necessary if you want to be able to use the recovery console.)
3. Clean install (Only worthwhile if your system is seriously messed up.)

Steven

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info. I tried to create a slipstreamed CD and had some
issues. I am using the Boot floppies to access the system, but since Windows
is corrupted, I can't get to Windows. Is there a way to uninstall SP2 from
the C: prompt?

 

[Evolution]

From the command prompt, trying navigating to this directory:
c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst

Next, type in:
spuninst.exe

That should start the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard.

 

[Guest]

Now I can't get to the C prompt. It keeps asking for the XP Professional
Service Pack 2 CD. I have the XP Service Pack 2 CD, but not the Pro. I did
download the XP PRO SP2 file from Microsoft, can I copy that to a CD and use
that? Do I need to extract it before copying? Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Kyuzo]

Its me, Evolution

Intersting...so you can't even get to a C: prompt from the boot diskettes?
When does the prompt for the Service Pack 2 CD comes on? At this point, I
highly suggest you slipstream the Windows Professional and SP2 suggested
earlier to get to the recovery console. Of course, you are going to have to
do this on a friend's computer. Here is an step-by-step guide to doing this:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

I am not sure if it is asking for just the Service Pack or for the XP
Professional with the Service Pack CD. You can of course try using a CD-RW
and burning just the service pack on top and try it out. If that doesn't
work, then rewrite the CD with the extracted Service Pack. Either way, I
hope you can get back to the C: prompt so you can navigate to the directory
I mentioned on my other post to uninstall SP2.

Have you tried booting into Safe Mode by any chance?