Problem installing XP service pack 2

[brettellingson]

Hello

I have been trying to install XP service pack 2 this weekend. I turned
on automatic updates and it immediately promtped me to install SP2. So
I have been attempting to install SP2 from there.

I watched the installation process and everything seems to work fine
unitl it gets to the step that says backing up registry, then the
intallation stops and simply locks up. Then I have to re-boot to get
rid of the installation box because I cannot get the task manager to
come up so I can end the installation process.

When I got to add/remove programs after re-booting it says that service
pack 2 is already installed?

Question 1: Is there really a problem because it locked up or is it
installed as the add/remove programs screen indicates.

Fixes I've tried so far: I've tried to install it about 5 or 6 times.
I've tried simply running the update again and just reinstalling the
SP2 over the top of the other one. In this case it locks up again after
the step "backing up the registry".

I've tried going to add/remove programs and clicking the button that
says remove. The machine reboots and I try the installation of it again
through the windows update icon in the lower right corner of the screen
and same problem occurs.

I looked at Dell's support site and it sent me to a link on
microsoft.com that lets me download an .exe file that installs SP2, but
this one locks up too. I don't know what point it locks up because I
started it running then came back about 20 minutes later to check on it
and the same problem as above occurs.

Any suggestions? I've searched the groups postings, some google.com
results and microsoft.com and haven't come up with anything that works
yet.

The last thing I can think to do is to go ahead and reinstall XP from
my installation discs that came with my computer. In that case, If I do
the reinstallation of XP, will I still have all of my files, like MS
word, excel and mp3 files?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Burgy]

Did you read the instructions as to what to do before installing? Like
shutting down the firewalls and anti-virus and all the other programs
running in the background? Also, you should run disk cleaner on your hard
drive and then defragment it before installing SP2.
If not, go to the update page and read those instructions first.

 

[brettellingson]

I will try it with your suggestions and let you know....thanks very
much!

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Hello

I have been trying to install XP service pack 2 this weekend. I turned
on automatic updates and it immediately promtped me to install SP2. So
I have been attempting to install SP2 from there.

I watched the installation process and everything seems to work fine
unitl it gets to the step that says backing up registry, then the
intallation stops and simply locks up. Then I have to re-boot to get
rid of the installation box because I cannot get the task manager to
come up so I can end the installation process.

When I got to add/remove programs after re-booting it says that service
pack 2 is already installed?

Question 1: Is there really a problem because it locked up or is it
installed as the add/remove programs screen indicates.

Hi

Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=888162

and check out the two methods listed under
"Q1: I do not think my computer is in an "incomplete Windows XP SP2
state." How can I know for sure?"


Some log files you can check for any clues or error messages:

%windir%\Svcpack.log
%windir%\setupapi.log

(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)


You might need to enable verbose logging to find the reason in one
of those log file, see here for how to enable it:

http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#Cannot_install_Service_Pack_2

 

[brettellingson]

What will I be looking for in those 2 log files? I looked at the top
one briefly but at a brief skim of it didn't see anything that seems
strange.