PC not booting after xp corrupted installing SP2

[Robert L. Rauch]

Is there any special way to boot into safe mode or some other utility
function (in order to uninstall a faulty SP2 installation) if the OS has
apparently been corrupted while installing SP2?

I had installed SP2 on one of my PCs, but there was a problem in installing
it on my second one; it had a hard time finding a file called something like
wiaacmgr.exe and one other although I thought I found the files by browsing,
and the installation seemed to proceed along. However, when I tried to
reboot, the machine wouldn't get past the black screen with the flashing bar
at which point it shut down (and continues to shut down at the same point
while going through the boot up sequence). I have attempted with F8 to boot
in "safe mode" and with "last known working config" but it continues to just
hang and then automatically restart without fully booting again.

I have an Athlon-based E-machine T2625 running XP Home with all previous MS
patches updated.

Is there anything to do, or must I just use the "restore" disc and reformat
my hard drive?

Rob

 

[Taurarian Constellation]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875355&product=windowsxpsp2
How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if the Windows XP
Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully