Should I format my HD or not?

[GEORGE TAKEV]

Hello everybody!!!
After installing SP2 all in my system went wrong.
Now I cant start up in save mode, and many programs don't run properly.
System does not allow me to uninstall SP2 -says that file can not be found.
Norton antivirus, excel, word are affected. System restore says that
it can not PROTECT my system!!!User accounts folder in control panel
looks empty etc.I don't have recovery CD -that is a retail version and came
without it.
Is there any way to recover my system to the previous state.
Any help highly appreciated
Thanks

 

[Kurt Dawson]

You might be stuck re-formatting. I recommend saving all of your
important files onto a removeable disk such as a CD-R or DVD-R. Then
just reformat and move your files back onto the drive. Have a fresh
reformat always helps.

I don't know of anyway to uninstall SP2. Perhaps you can try to do a
repair.

If that doesn’t work run the System File Checker (you’ll need to have an
XP install disc to do any of the following fixes). Click Start, Run… and
enter sfc /scannow. You will be prompted for the XP install disc. This
program checks and restores any damaged Windows system files.

 

[Guest]

This may help:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/winxpsp2install.htm#SomecommonWindowsXPproblems

Top portion of the same page should help with your future SP2 installations.

Good Luck!

 

[Rock]

Hello everybody!!!
After installing SP2 all in my system went wrong.
Now I cant start up in save mode, and many programs don't run properly.
System does not allow me to uninstall SP2 -says that file can not be found.
Norton antivirus, excel, word are affected. System restore says that
it can not PROTECT my system!!!User accounts folder in control panel
looks empty etc.I don't have recovery CD -that is a retail version and came
without it.
Is there any way to recover my system to the previous state.
Any help highly appreciated
Thanks

The vendor had to supply some way to recover the PC, either an
installation CD, recovery CD's or a hidden partition on the hard drive.
Contact them for how to do it. In the meantime here are some good
references for SP2, how to uninstall, and how to do the upgrade
properly. Most upgrade problems are do to lack of preparation:

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

Using programs and hardware with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2swhw

Programs that may behave differently in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=884130

If running Office 2003 make sure you have the latest Service Pack
http://office.microsoft.com/home/default.aspx

Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx

Windows XP Service Pack 2: What's New for Internet Explorer and Outlook
Express
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/ieoeoverview.mspx

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2

Free Technical Support for SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;Prodoffer80&sd=GN

 

[Plato]

After installing SP2 all in my system went wrong.

Next time read this first:

http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop15.htm#19