Access Problem Installing XP Pro SP3

[Richard]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

 

[Daave]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like one of your programs is interfering. Try configuring a
Clean Boot before the upgrade. Or you may even try to upgrade in Safe
Mode.

Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE and was
your subscription still current?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

Any chance you did a Repair Install or "clean install" to resolve some sort
of problem?


WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for WinXP SP3 was
available from 14 April 2008 thru May 2009. Such support will cost you
US$59 per incident now.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Step -by-step, in the order given, without regards for what you believe you
have done before and/or what results you get in each step. Note the result
but continue to the next step.


Fix your file/registry permissions...

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.

Reboot and ...

Download/install this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN --> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish. You may be rebooting if they find something they cannot
get rid of otherwise.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

Now for SP3...

1) Download the full SP3 installation file.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4

You are just saving it right now - not running it yet.

2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by doing a full
scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes. If you are following
along, you have already done this!

3) CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot

4) Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.) Never get hardware drivers
for hardware that was not created/sold by Microsoft from Microsoft.

6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

8) Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications (ZoneAlarm, etc)
and
utilize the built-in WIndows Firewall only.

9) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the taskbar gives you
a choice to do so.

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable. Reboot when requested to
do so. Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes. Reboot.
Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.

After that - there will be more updates.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to install
Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a single
step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now - go through
until the end, until you have done everything given in the order given. If
you have a problem with a step come ask and let someone here get you
through that step. If you don't understand how to do a step, come back and
ask here about that step and let someone walk you through it.

Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or if you
have more issues.

 

[Richard]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

First of all thank you all for your suggestions. Today I
tried to do the SP3 install in safe mode. The install
failed. During the copy of the current registry settings
the install did not have access to 10 or 12 of those
settings which I bypassed. It then continued by copying
the new files until it just stopped with an access error
to the SP3 install. It then restored my old files.

Shenan, I have printed out your instructions and will
try to follow them but before I start I do have a question.
I am on a dialup if any of the files I need to download are
very large I will not be able to download them. I have SP3
on a MS CD which I hope will do for the SP3 install part.

Thank You All Again
Richard

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You do have backups to external media for your important stuff, though,
right? It's unwise not to - given you have that option *not* to lose data
if something (*anything*) bad occurs. If you do not have backups of your
Internet favorites (bookmarks), emails, contacts (address book), pictures,
music, documents, spreadsheets, databases, product keys (serial numbers)
installation media, other software, etc - make it before you go any further.

This is not just for this process - but for anything. Lightning strikes on
occassion - you can help prevent the damage usually done with external media
backups stored in another location.

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Step -by-step, in the order given, without regards for what you
believe you have done before and/or what results you get in each
step. Note the result but continue to the next step.


Fix your file/registry permissions...

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced
Troubleshooting" titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file
permissions" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.

Reboot and ...

Download/install this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN --> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be
exact.)
Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately)
with the following two applications (freeware versions are the ones
to use for this):
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and
removing whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall
these products, if you wish. You may be rebooting if they find
something they cannot get rid of otherwise.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here
(x86): http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to
the root of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and
click on NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

Now for SP3...

1) Download the full SP3 installation file.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4

You are just saving it right now - not running it yet.

2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by
doing a full scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes. If
you are following along, you have already done this!

3) CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot

4) Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.) Never get hardware drivers
for hardware that was not created/sold by Microsoft from
Microsoft.
6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically
disconnect - pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

8) Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications
(ZoneAlarm, etc) and utilize the built-in WIndows Firewall only.

9) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are
about to install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the
taskbar gives you a choice to do so.

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable. Reboot when
requested to do so. Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about
10 minutes. Reboot. Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' -
reboot.
After that - there will be more updates.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet
Explorer and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and
select to do a CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web
pages - first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on
it. You can release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority
updates (deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than
3-5 at a time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I
recommend against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office
Live" ones or "Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely
avoid the Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any
urgent need to install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a
single step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now -
go through until the end, until you have done everything given in
the order given. If you have a problem with a step come ask and
let someone here get you through that step. If you don't
understand how to do a step, come back and ask here about that
step and let someone walk you through it.
Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or
if you have more issues.

Richard wrote:

Shenan, I have printed out your instructions and will
try to follow them but before I start I do have a question.
I am on a dialup if any of the files I need to download are
very large I will not be able to download them. I have SP3
on a MS CD which I hope will do for the SP3 install part.

The Windows XP SP3 CD will work as replacement for the download of SP3.

The other downloads (from my instructions) are relatively small.

351KB, 6MB, 3.86MB, 9MB, 3.2MB, 5.92MB and 174KB. I'd say just under 29MB
total of downloads since you have SP3. (For comparison, the download for
SP3 would have been 316.4MB - or about 13 hours of downloading given your
speed. This is 1/11th of that - so just over an hours worth of downloading
given your speed.)

That does not take into account any drivers you might download/install or
the post-SP3 updates you will scan for/download/install after the
installation of SP3.

Hope it helps! You'll end up with a cleaner system - no matter what - and
hopefully you will be another success story to add for the installation of
SP3.

 

[Richard]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

Things seem to be going from bad to worse. I may be
better off just keeping SP2 and IE7.

1. Ran reset.cmd I had three failed reset thats I saw
all in the :
hkey_local_machine area
two of them in the:
hkey_local_machine\security\policy\secrets\sai area
the last one cleared before I could record it

2. msizap.exe ran okay I guess it goes by to fast to see

3. Both SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes at some
point in their runs cause my computer to reboot.

What should I do next?

Richard

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Things seem to be going from bad to worse. I may be
better off just keeping SP2 and IE7.

1. Ran reset.cmd I had three failed reset thats I saw
all in the :
hkey_local_machine area
two of them in the:
hkey_local_machine\security\policy\secrets\sai area
the last one cleared before I could record it

2. msizap.exe ran okay I guess it goes by to fast to see

3. Both SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes at some
point in their runs cause my computer to reboot.

What should I do next?

Well - try responding to the part of the conversation you are following for
starters. ;-)

Some items may fail in the reset. Not a big deal usually.

If your computer is rebooting with AntiSpyware applications - I see a few
possibilities.
- Hardware issue (memory, power, heat...)
- Really bad infestation you may not be able to clear on your own.
- Bum hardware driver or extreme software conflict.

Finish following the instructions if you can - uninstall Spybot and your
third-party firewall for the time being.

 

[Daave]

Things seem to be going from bad to worse. I may be
better off just keeping SP2 and IE7.

FWIW, for best results, SP3 should be applied with IE at the IE6 level.
If you are still at SP2, and if your XP installation is salvageable, you
should consider uninstalling IE7 (thus reverting to IE6). Or did you
install IE8?

 

[Jose]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

You may want to review this article and see if your unspecified error
conditions are listed:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/

Afterwards, if you are still having issues with SP3, post the error
message exactly as you see it. For example:

Service Pack 3 setup error. Access is denied.

If you are using Spybot and their TeaTimer, you need to turn it off.
Turn it all off.

The MS article says to turn off the antivirus and firewall (although I
have never had SP3 fail with just the Windows Firewall).

Are you running the Sygate Firewall and Windows Firewall at the same
time? Running two firewalls at the same time is not a good idea ever
- pick one or the other, but for SP3, follow the directions:

"Although disabling your antivirus software is not usually
recommended, some antivirus software prevents certain system files
from being changed. This may cause the Windows XP SP3 installation to
fail. To make sure that you can successfully install Windows XP SP3,
temporarily disable your antivirus software including any antispyware
and third-party firewall programs. To do this, right-click your
antivirus program icon, and then click Disable. The antivirus program
icon typically appears in the lower-right corner of the computer
screen."

Take your time. Do not just "try" things that might work maybe. SP3
has been installed smoothly and successfully lots of times.

There are prerequisites for upgrading to IE8 also, but I would just
work on one thing at a time for now.

 

[Richard]

Hi Pa Bear,

Sorry it has taken me awhile to answer. My last av was
AVG. I have also used Avira and Avast at one time or another
on my Acer. The system is 2 1/2 years old so I don't remember
if Norton was on it when I got it. If it was I alway uninstall Norton
and run their latest cleanup routine. I can't recall ever running either
a repair or clean install. If I have a problem I restore to a prior
position using True Image software. It has saved me several times.

Thank You for taking time to help me.

Richard

 

[Richard]

I have an Acer Desktop running XP Pro SP2. I
have tried to install SP3 both by download and
MS CD. The install runs into access problems
during the backup file/reg segments. I do not know
if access to the file/reg or the backup location is
the problem. Eventually the Install fails and everything
is set back to the pre install position. I am the only
user on this home desktop so I don't know where
or what access to set. I am running MSE, Spybot,
and Sygate Personal Firewall. In addition I have a
similar problem trying to install IE8.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

You may want to review this article and see if your unspecified error
conditions are listed:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/

Afterwards, if you are still having issues with SP3, post the error
message exactly as you see it. For example:

Service Pack 3 setup error. Access is denied.

If you are using Spybot and their TeaTimer, you need to turn it off.
Turn it all off.

The MS article says to turn off the antivirus and firewall (although I
have never had SP3 fail with just the Windows Firewall).

Are you running the Sygate Firewall and Windows Firewall at the same
time? Running two firewalls at the same time is not a good idea ever
- pick one or the other, but for SP3, follow the directions:

"Although disabling your antivirus software is not usually
recommended, some antivirus software prevents certain system files
from being changed. This may cause the Windows XP SP3 installation to
fail. To make sure that you can successfully install Windows XP SP3,
temporarily disable your antivirus software including any antispyware
and third-party firewall programs. To do this, right-click your
antivirus program icon, and then click Disable. The antivirus program
icon typically appears in the lower-right corner of the computer
screen."

Take your time. Do not just "try" things that might work maybe. SP3
has been installed smoothly and successfully lots of times.

There are prerequisites for upgrading to IE8 also, but I would just
work on one thing at a time for now.

Jose,

Thanks for your help.

During the copy of the register I have several access denied
message and finally I get the "Service Pack 3 setup error. Access
is denied" message.

I have turned off Tea Timer and I try to run SP3 in safe mode which
I thought turned off everything else.

I am only running Sygate firewall and not Windows firewall.

Thanks Again
Richard

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You may be seeing the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in
dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=7552&st=1

Also available via...

Consumer Security Support home page
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

Otherwise...

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!)
in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm

3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[Richard]

Shenan,

I finally got malwarebytes, superantispyware, & msrt to run
all the way through. None of the three found any problem.
On to the next step.

Richard