Cannot Uninstall SP2-RC2 to install RTM SP2

[Guest]

Hello,
I installed a slipstreamed copy of Evaluation Copy.SP2-RC2. This person's
computer had a virus mess up their HD, so I had reformated and installed
Windows XP Home Ed w/SP2.RC2 from a disk I burned from the beta website. I
had to use a special license number as it wouldn't take the user's original
Windows XP Home Ed. Well the slipstream version did not create a
$unInstallWinNT$ Directory. The 180-day evaluation has expired and the
computer will run for only 1 hr and shuts down.
Attemps to install the RTM say I must uninstall the previous service pack
before I can install the RTM. I tried XPsp2.exe /uninstall from the command
line. It did not fine XPsp2.exe on the local HD. I tried running it from
the CD, but I get the same message.
This computer also did not have a Windows XP SP2 entry in the Add or Remove
Programs utility in the Control Panel.

Can I move this PC to the RTM version or am I going to have to reformat and
reinstall?

 

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

I installed a slipstreamed copy of Evaluation Copy.SP2-RC2. This
person's computer had a virus mess up their HD, so I had reformated
and installed Windows XP Home Ed w/SP2.RC2 from a disk I burned from
the beta website. I had to use a special license number as it
wouldn't take the user's original Windows XP Home Ed. Well the
slipstream version did not create a $unInstallWinNT$ Directory. The
180-day evaluation has expired and the computer will run for only 1
hr and shuts down.
Attemps to install the RTM say I must uninstall the previous service
pack before I can install the RTM. I tried XPsp2.exe /uninstall from
the command line. It did not fine XPsp2.exe on the local HD. I
tried running it from the CD, but I get the same message.
This computer also did not have a Windows XP SP2 entry in the Add or
Remove Programs utility in the Control Panel.

You cannot uninstall SP2 if you installed it from a slipstreamed installer,
because there is nothing to uninstalll.

Can I move this PC to the RTM version or am I going to have to
reformat and reinstall?

Take this user's original RTM installer, and make a new slipstreamed SP2
installer from it. Then install the new slipstreamed SP2, with the user's
proper license key.