problem with xp sp2 installation on laptop

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Guest

After allowing automatic update to install xp servicepack 2 on my HP laptop,
after rebooting I get a blank screen! No icons, no taskbar, nothing but
wallpaper. Control alt delete brings up task manager. Also get error:
something about cant find path to explorer.exe. Am I hosed for good????
 
Read the following HP article thoroughly, then follow
the steps outlined to perform a "Non-Destructive"
recovery operation.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...docname=bph07145&product=71013&dlc=en&lang=en

Afterward, reinstall SP2.

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Important Information for Upgrading
to Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00218731&lang=en&cc=us

Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

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

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

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

:

| After allowing automatic update to install xp servicepack 2 on my HP laptop,
| after rebooting I get a blank screen! No icons, no taskbar, nothing but
| wallpaper. Control alt delete brings up task manager. Also get error:
| something about cant find path to explorer.exe. Am I hosed for good????
 
rut said:
After allowing automatic update to install xp servicepack 2 on my HP laptop,
after rebooting I get a blank screen! No icons, no taskbar, nothing but
wallpaper. Control alt delete brings up task manager. Also get error:
something about cant find path to explorer.exe. Am I hosed for good????
Click to expand...

What did you do to prepare your system for SP2? HP has several patches
you need to apply first and there are other steps that should be taken,
including having a full backup.

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

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

Installing Service Packs
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

Pre-Install, Install, Cleaning Up Afterwards
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=45

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Get the Latest Updates and Information from Your PC Manufacturer Before
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=837783

Free Technical Support for SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;Prodoffer80&sd=GN
 
Windows XP SP2 is proving more trouble than it's worth.

I have a user with the same issues as described above. He has performed as I
have suggested and downloaded and installed updates as and when they become
available. This has screwed his laptop as (it would appear) the updates from
HP were not current.

I'm a fervent MS supporter and use their products throughout my enterprise
but the effects of SP2 are a throwback to the old NT service packs problems.

I would have hoped that they would have put better measures in place to
prevent these sort of failed upgrades.
 
Unfortunately, I can't get to the command line nor do I have a regular winxp
cd (only hp's restore cd's). Is there a hotkey that will get me to the
command line to run the uninstall?

Rut
 
Mark said:
Windows XP SP2 is proving more trouble than it's worth.

I have a user with the same issues as described above. He has performed as I
have suggested and downloaded and installed updates as and when they become
available. This has screwed his laptop as (it would appear) the updates from
HP were not current.

I'm a fervent MS supporter and use their products throughout my enterprise
but the effects of SP2 are a throwback to the old NT service packs problems.

I would have hoped that they would have put better measures in place to
prevent these sort of failed upgrades.
Click to expand...

Your experience is not that of the majority. Not with proper
preparation and a good running system. There is no way to ensure a
major operating system upgrade will be flawless for all. If you support
PC's then you should understand that. This has been a very good upgrade.
 
I support PC's and servers and on my site, they are all running sweet as.

Unfortunately, there are users out there who just want to browse the
internet, send/receive emails, download and save their digital photos etc.
Education and knowledge is one thing but I think that there is a huge
skill-leap needed for many users that can make the transition to a modified
system very difficult. For some of my users, if the short-cuts on their
desktop change location, they freak-out! This is the lowest common
denominator that MS needs to deal with and think about in the design of their
roll-out.

SP2 was downloaded and installed as per Auto-updates - it is the checking of
the other aspects of the HP laptop which caused the problem.

Sorry, Rock, but I have to disagree with you. SP2 is a pain.
 
Mark said:
I support PC's and servers and on my site, they are all running sweet as.

Unfortunately, there are users out there who just want to browse the
internet, send/receive emails, download and save their digital photos etc.
Education and knowledge is one thing but I think that there is a huge
skill-leap needed for many users that can make the transition to a modified
system very difficult. For some of my users, if the short-cuts on their
desktop change location, they freak-out! This is the lowest common
denominator that MS needs to deal with and think about in the design of their
roll-out.

SP2 was downloaded and installed as per Auto-updates - it is the checking of
the other aspects of the HP laptop which caused the problem.

Sorry, Rock, but I have to disagree with you. SP2 is a pain.





:
Click to expand...

There is no way in today's computing environment that you can make it
work without thought. Computing is not plug and play, however much we
might want it. Parts of SP2 were designed specifically because of the
lowest common denominator. The security center is one such item. To
operate a car safely you need to have a certain amount of hand and eye
coordination, skill in handling the car and knowledge of the driving
laws -- and you need a license. Some skill and knowledge is needed for
computers too. People have to learn new skills, and that takes people
out of their comfort zone. It's not that hard, but it's new. Change is
inevitable.
 
Hi rut,

These are my experiences with the same issues as you described and I
followed Carey Frisch advice with no problems to correct the installation.

I've solved the problem but i used the original Windows disk to enter the
recovery console - you may need to get a hold of the original or another copy
of the Windows CD. The knowledge base articles listed previously are accurate
and will restore windows. I found that the 'batch spuninst.txt' takes about
15 mins or so to run the full batch script so please be patient with this.

I also found that the laptop will reboot however, after entering the
selected users environment, explorer didn't load. I used the Task Manager and
selected File--->New Task (Run) ---> explorer.exe" and everything went OK
(just didn't launch at startup). You may not necessarily experience this.

I then ran the spuninst.exe file from the
"C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst" directory to clean up the
uninstall, ran the patch as Carey suggested for pre SP2 installation.

I've now completely patched the machine and reinstalled SP2 without any
problems or issues.

Be careful of using the restore CD's as you could wipe your HD.

Let us know how you get on.
 
Rock,

FYI, I have fixed my friends HP laptop with the same problem as RUT. It took
a little time but was relatively straight-forward as long as you know what
you were doing.

As for your comments below, I found them condescending - not specifically
for myself but for users such as RUT and my friend. I drive a car but I don't
need to know how it works or how to fix it when it goes wrong. If I knew that
by putting a newly recommended fuel into it that it would seize the motor,
then I wouldn't put it in. Likewise, if the manufacturer knew that the motor
might seize, then they wouldn't be selling it!

Similar analogies can easily be drawn from SP installtion procedures..
 
Mark said:
Rock,

FYI, I have fixed my friends HP laptop with the same problem as RUT. It took
a little time but was relatively straight-forward as long as you know what
you were doing.

As for your comments below, I found them condescending - not specifically
for myself but for users such as RUT and my friend. I drive a car but I don't
need to know how it works or how to fix it when it goes wrong. If I knew that
by putting a newly recommended fuel into it that it would seize the motor,
then I wouldn't put it in. Likewise, if the manufacturer knew that the motor
might seize, then they wouldn't be selling it!

Similar analogies can easily be drawn from SP installtion procedures..
Click to expand...

Take is as you like. The reality is still the same. Sure you don't
have to know how it works to drive, but then don't whine when you do
something to your car without having the knowledge and it doesnt' work.
Take the computer to a computer mechanic for changes if you don't
understand computers. No shame in that.
 
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