Problem installing xp sp2

  • Thread starter Thread starter marco.stolle
  • Start date Start date
M

marco.stolle

hi,

i'm helping a friend with the following problem :
he has tried to install xp sp2 but it crashed before it finished
(microsoft artikel id 885523 (followed the steps described there
before proceding))
i uninstalled sp2 with the repair console and now i'm trying to
reinstall sp2.
after the setup has backed up the files, made a registry backup and
made a repair point the setup stops with the error : "cannot install
the catalogue files" i translated this from the dutch error "kan
catalogusbestanden niet installeren" so it's possible the translation
is not perfect. I've searched the net for this problem but can't seem
to find anything helpfull.
i've tried reinstalling also in safe mode with same result.

Can someone point me in the right direction please, don't know what to
do.

Thanks for all the help

Marco
 
If nothing else, can you do a repair install with an XP cd that is at the
same service pack level as the copy on the hard disk and then upgrade to
SP2?
 
If nothing else, can you do a repair install with anXPcd that is at the
same service pack level as the copy on the hard disk and then upgrade toSP2?
Click to expand...
I did a repair install but now i have the following problem :

when the computer boots it logs on and directly askes to activate the
copy of windows through the internet, when i click ok the system waits
a few seconds and then logs off and gives me the same message, that i
have to activate the copy of windows...

i'm stuck, please help

thanks

Marco
 
i can't get into windows to do the activation, i just get an alertbox
telling me this version needs to be activated before i can use it,
when i click ok windows logs on and after a few seconds logs off again
and gives me the same message.
i tried booting in save mode but there all i get is a message that
activation cannot be done in save mode and i can't get passed that
message either

rebooting from the xp cdrom gives me no option to do a repair install.

i know i can do a clean install but that is for me the (last) easy
solution, i would rather fix this problem.

is it possible to disable the activation request from the recovery
console? or any other way?

thanks

Marco
 
Did you try the links I posted?
i can't get into windows to do the activation, i just get an alertbox
telling me this version needs to be activated before i can use it,
when i click ok windows logs on and after a few seconds logs off again
and gives me the same message.
i tried booting in save mode but there all i get is a message that
activation cannot be done in save mode and i can't get passed that
message either

rebooting from the xp cdrom gives me no option to do a repair install.

i know i can do a clean install but that is for me the (last) easy
solution, i would rather fix this problem.

is it possible to disable the activation request from the recovery
console? or any other way?
Click to expand...
 
Dear Robear

the first link shows information about validating and gives 2 buttons
to validate windows and office
the second link validates windows
the third link lets you troubleshoot from within windows

but for the 3 links you have to be able to get into windows, and that
is part of my problem, i can't get into windows

help

Marco
 
Dear Robear

the first link shows information about validating and gives 2 buttons
to validate windows and office
the second link validates windows
the third link lets you troubleshoot from within windows

but for the 3 links you have to be able to get into windows, and that
is part of my problem, i can't get into windows

help

Marco
Click to expand...

Extra info

this morning i tried to go back into the recovery console to repeat
the uninstall (of the already uninstalled) sp2 in the hope of getting
a previous registry that didn't contain the instruction to activate
but i can't get into recovery console because now it asks me for an
administrator pasword (that previously was blank) and doesn't accept a
blank one.

i think unless i get response from a miracle worker clean install this
sunday is about to be nessesary

thanks

Marco
 
The problem is he has an operable Windows. Obviously he has no activation
screen to have open when he calls.
 
Hello everyone

i just want to let you know i did a clean install,

so case closed

thanks for the response

marco
 
Might come in handy now:

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.
 
Back
Top