Secedit Failure

[JJDetroit]

I bought a used PC running XP Pro. Been trying to bring it current with MS
Update. During the SP2 install, it gets well along in the process and then
throws up a small window saying Access Denied. Only choice is to click the OK
button in that window, at which point the installation cancels out.

It was suggested to me that there is a problem with the security settings,
and that I should use Secedit to set them back to their defaults. I've been
trying to use the info on Secedit in KB313222 to do the reset, but instead of
running, Secedit throws up a Windows Help screen about how to USE Secedit!
Does this mean I have a syntax error in the Secedit command I use, or
something else? If it's because of a syntax error, how can I find out what
the error is?

 

[Ronaldo]

Try resetting the default Security permissions with Subinacl.msi or take
Ownership of the System and/or the Registry but check the "Steps to take
before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3" (the same should apply for
SP23)


How to take Ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421


Service Pack 3 will not install, 'access denied' error message.
http://www.p2plife.com/forums/Service_Pack_3_will_not_install-t2243.html

SUBINACL.exe (Resource kit)
http://www.ss64.com/nt/subinacl.html

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack
3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/EN


When you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3, you receive the error
message "Access is denied" or "Service Pack installation did not complete"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377


Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
(same applies to install SP2)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717