Can't install SP3

  • Thread starter Thread starter rock
  • Start date Start date
R

rock

I get the usual message "updates are ready.." etc but when I try to instal
SP3 it goes half way - I then get a message "access is denied" - without
explanation and the only option is to undo the changes.

So do I want SP3 ? If I do how do I get it in view of this problem and if I
can't how can I stop the constant messages telling me it is available!

Thx

Rock
 
rock wrote:
:: I get the usual message "updates are ready.." etc but when I try to
:: instal SP3 it goes half way - I then get a message "access is
:: denied" - without explanation and the only option is to undo the
:: changes.
::
:: So do I want SP3 ? If I do how do I get it in view of this problem
:: and if I can't how can I stop the constant messages telling me it is
:: available!
::
:: Thx
::
:: Rock



First, make sure that your anti virus software isn't locking the registry
and preventing the installer from modifying the same.

Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Access is
denied" or “Service Pack installation did not complete”
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

Also see:
How to reset security settings back to the defaults
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties
or guarantees and doesn't give any rights. Computer Maintenance:
Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
 
I get the usual message "updates are ready.." etc but when I try to instal
SP3 it goes half way - I then get a message "access is denied" - without
explanation and the only option is to undo the changes.

So do I want SP3 ? If I do how do I get it in view of this problem and if I
can't how can I stop the constant messages telling me it is available!

Thx

Rock
Click to expand...

Download the full package to your desktop, reboot, and load Safe Mode.
Try to install it that way. This will ensure nothing running in the
background will interfere with the install.

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Thanks guys - unfortunately neither approach seems to work - tried
installing online after disabling virus programme(MCafee) - then dowloading
the whole package and installing while in "safe" mode - in each case it
instals half-way and then gives the "access denied" message - giving another
half hour wait whilke everything is uninstalled. Thx for the link to the
microsoft page - seems to suggest the next step is to try to tinker with the
registry - don't really have the confidence to do that. Might it better to
try and install from a CD?
 
Thanks guys - unfortunately neither approach seems to work - tried
installing online after disabling virus programme(MCafee) - then dowloading
the whole package and installing while in "safe" mode - in each case it
instals half-way and then gives the "access denied" message - giving another
half hour wait whilke everything is uninstalled. Thx for the link to the
microsoft page - seems to suggest the next step is to try to tinker with the
registry - don't really have the confidence to do that. Might it better to
try and install from a CD?
Click to expand...

No, CD won't work. Try the following two things. Go to your event
viewer (Control Panel > Admin Tools > Event Viewer) and see if there
are any red bangs there. An access denied *could* indicate a file that
needs to be overwritten but can't be because something has it locked.

Download and install the Windows Installer v4.5, reboot, and try the
FULL SP3 install file again. The one built into XP is v3.1. It's worth
a shot. Grab it here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942288

Let me know how it goes.

- Thee Chicago Wolf (MVP)
 
Thanks TCW - but still no go - changed the installer but the same thing
happens!!!

The event viewer (under "applications" and "security") shows a number of
errors - but I am not skilled in its interpretation - it does not seem to
actually list files - rather (as I guess you would expect) "events"!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks TCW - but still no go - changed the installer but the same thing
happens!!!

The event viewer (under "applications" and "security") shows a number of
errors - but I am not skilled in its interpretation - it does not seem to
actually list files - rather (as I guess you would expect) "events"!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Ok, any of those show yellow or red colored errors?

- Thee Chicago Wolf (MVP)
 
Thanks TCW - but still no go - changed the installer but the same thing
happens!!!

The event viewer (under "applications" and "security") shows a number of
errors - but I am not skilled in its interpretation - it does not seem to
actually list files - rather (as I guess you would expect) "events"!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

By chance do you remember what file it fails on when it gives you an
access denied error? Is it displayed on screen?

- Thee Chicago Wolf (MVP)
 
Thanks TCW - but still no go - changed the installer but the same thing
happens!!!

The event viewer (under "applications" and "security") shows a number of
errors - but I am not skilled in its interpretation - it does not seem to
actually list files - rather (as I guess you would expect) "events"!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Last but not least, see if the suggestions here help:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

- Thee Chicago Wolf (MVP)
 
There are a number of errors (shown as a red circle with a white cross) and
warnings (shown as a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark) - I have
attempted so many times to install this now that is probably difficult to
associate any one with the ultimate times of failure!!

Unfortunately the file which acuses the failure is not displayed in any
way - it may be possible to spot it if I was looking at the screen at
exactly the right moment - but as the files are installed so quickly even
this may be difficult

Yes, many thanks, but I have tried everything on the microsoft link apart
from the registry edit - must admit I am a bit nervous at this step!
 
There are a number of errors (shown as a red circle with a white cross) and
warnings (shown as a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark) - I have
attempted so many times to install this now that is probably difficult to
associate any one with the ultimate times of failure!!

Unfortunately the file which acuses the failure is not displayed in any
way - it may be possible to spot it if I was looking at the screen at
exactly the right moment - but as the files are installed so quickly even
this may be difficult

Yes, many thanks, but I have tried everything on the microsoft link apart
from the registry edit - must admit I am a bit nervous at this step!
Click to expand...

You might not have any choice.

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Grasped the nettle, adjusted the registry per the microsoft instructions -
works fien

TCW thanks for all your help!

Rock
 
Grasped the nettle, adjusted the registry per the microsoft instructions -
works fien

TCW thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

Glad you got it to work.

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 

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