Determining why SP2 fails to instal

[Birkonian]

I followed to the letter the recommended procedure -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx
including:- a) checking all Windows updates were installed (Automatic
Updates is "on" any way); b) running a disc cleanup & then a defrag; c)
following Hewlett Packard's advice and downloading the necessary patch for
my HP Pavillion PC running XP Home edition; d) creating a System restore
point before starting the SP2 download/install; e) disabling Norton AV.
(However I did leave Norton Personal Firewall running)

Everything went OK until the very end when XP/SP2 failed to restart/boot up.
The Security Centre window had appeared exactly as Symantec's web page said
it would and I closed it with the intention of running a NAV "Live Update".
See

http://www.symantec.com/region/reg_eu/techsupp/sp2/support_doc.html

My PC sat there with a blank screen (no desktop icons or even a "start
button"). My only recourse was to power down and reboot into Safe Mode. I
then opted to restore to the restore point I'd created before starting this
one hour unproductive operation. Since the MVPs are strongly recommending
the move to SP2 may I ask them:-
1. Is there any way I can determine what went wrong?
2. Is it worth having a second go to install SP2?
3. Incidentally, since backing up personal files is strongly advised and XP
Home Edition (unlike Prof). has no built-in back-up facility what does MS
expect me to do/use? (Surely not go out and buy a competitor's product!)

The advice of the MVPs would be most welcome. Thanks.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Boot into Safe Mode, uninstall your video adapter drivers, then
reboot normally. Afterward, visit the support website of the
manufacturer of your computer or video card and download
the latest drivers for your video adapter.

I had this problem occur once while testing a pre-release version
of SP2 and the above solution worked. You may have to wait up
to 20 minutes after the initial reboot, but your Taskbar and icons
will eventually appear. Then you can install your new video adapter
drivers.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I followed to the letter the recommended procedure -
| http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx
| including:- a) checking all Windows updates were installed (Automatic
| Updates is "on" any way); b) running a disc cleanup & then a defrag; c)
| following Hewlett Packard's advice and downloading the necessary patch for
| my HP Pavillion PC running XP Home edition; d) creating a System restore
| point before starting the SP2 download/install; e) disabling Norton AV.
| (However I did leave Norton Personal Firewall running)
|
| Everything went OK until the very end when XP/SP2 failed to restart/boot up.
| The Security Centre window had appeared exactly as Symantec's web page said
| it would and I closed it with the intention of running a NAV "Live Update".
| See
|
| http://www.symantec.com/region/reg_eu/techsupp/sp2/support_doc.html
|
| My PC sat there with a blank screen (no desktop icons or even a "start
| button"). My only recourse was to power down and reboot into Safe Mode. I
| then opted to restore to the restore point I'd created before starting this
| one hour unproductive operation. Since the MVPs are strongly recommending
| the move to SP2 may I ask them:-
| 1. Is there any way I can determine what went wrong?
| 2. Is it worth having a second go to install SP2?
| 3. Incidentally, since backing up personal files is strongly advised and XP
| Home Edition (unlike Prof). has no built-in back-up facility what does MS
| expect me to do/use? (Surely not go out and buy a competitor's product!)
|
| The advice of the MVPs would be most welcome. Thanks.

 

[Birkonian]

Thanks Carey, I'll give it go tho' I believe my drivers are uptodate as I'm
registered with HP to receive email notification of driver updates etc.