Cannot update XP

[Information]

Have a machine that would lock up past the Windows XP splash screen. Could
not get into Safe Mode either.

Used the Windows XP install cd, and did a repair installation. We can now
get into Windows and have "Validated".

Problem now is we cannot update. XP Home 1st ed is what system repaired to.
Ran Windows Update, get past the first install which puts in WinHTTP and
such, reboot, then get the next wave before SP2. 50-some updates and they
all fail because it seems the Windows system32 directory is read-only.

I have installed AVG, and it runs clean. We have disabled and tried
updating, no success. I have reset the attributes within the folder, at the
folder level, and at the root level. All seem to revert back to read only.

Have looked somewhat into the support site and only found a reference to
another AV.

It's nice we have access to our files again, but I am uncomfortable with the
presumed large security hole just looking for a problem.

I have also tried downloading SP2 and running it offline (with and without
AV), and still nor success.

Any insight is appreciated,

Dan

 

[Rock]

Have a machine that would lock up past the Windows XP splash screen.
Could not get into Safe Mode either.

Used the Windows XP install cd, and did a repair installation. We can now
get into Windows and have "Validated".

Problem now is we cannot update. XP Home 1st ed is what system repaired
to. Ran Windows Update, get past the first install which puts in WinHTTP
and such, reboot, then get the next wave before SP2. 50-some updates and
they all fail because it seems the Windows system32 directory is
read-only.

I have installed AVG, and it runs clean. We have disabled and tried
updating, no success. I have reset the attributes within the folder, at
the folder level, and at the root level. All seem to revert back to read
only.

Have looked somewhat into the support site and only found a reference to
another AV.

It's nice we have access to our files again, but I am uncomfortable with
the presumed large security hole just looking for a problem.

I have also tried downloading SP2 and running it offline (with and without
AV), and still nor success.

Any insight is appreciated,

I'm not clear on what you mean that the system32 folder is read only. The
read only attribute on a folder does not make the folder read only. It's
actually in an indeterminate state. They are always open for writing unless
you set permissions on a folder for a specific account but that has nothing
to do with the read only attribute.

In any event I recommend you post to the experts in the windows update
newsgroup.
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate