Windows XP SP download problem

[Guest]

Ok this is probably gonna be kind of long so please bear with me, I was
getting the error message: "Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found - The
procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the dynamic
link library SHLWAPI.dll" and there would only be a background with no icons
once I logged in.
I looked online to attempt to rectify this problem and came across a site
that basically said exactly what to do. I ran control appwiz.cpl to get the
add/remove programs control panel and then removed Windows XP
Hotfix-KB834707.
After this, the computer rebooted and this time the full desktop came up.
However,, the site said the system was still in the "failed SP2 install"
state so i must complete the SP2 install. i again went to the add remove
programs list and attempted to remove Windows XP Service pack, however when I
tried this I got the message "Access Denied" and then that the service pack
was not uninstalled. After doing this a few times, i looked on the microsoft
website for other possible solutions and found the page dealing with this
problem, however all the different solutions failed to change anything.
Finally, I attempted to restore the computer to an earlier time as stated
in the microsoft page. In doing so i thing it is probable that i did not
restore to the correct point, as when the computer then rebooted, i did get
messages that the computer was installing things, notably the Kb834707 thing
and Windows XP service pack 2. however, when it rebooted again after it said
it was done installing service pack 2, i once again got the error message i
had at the beginning, and when i tried to remove the KB834707, even though it
showed up on the add/remove programs list and I attempted to remove it, once
i clicked next in the removal wizard when it got to Restoring Catalogs i got
the error message that the system cannot find the file specified. Any help
so i can figure out what is going on would be GREATLY appreciated, just for
reference the two pages i talked about are
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350#kb2 and
http://weblogs.asp.net/oldnewthing/archive/2004/10/14/242241.aspx

 

[Guest]

What would be simpler, and at the same time 'restore' the Windows
environment, is to run a Repair installation off the original XP installation
CD.

Perform a Repair Install by following the step by step below.
When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below
This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.

Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows
installations.

Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to
start the repair.

Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not
press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue
as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will
remain intact.

Blaster worm warning: Do not immediately activate over the internet when
asked, enable the XP firewall before connecting to the internet. You can
activate after the firewall is enabled. Control Panel - Network Connections.
Right click the connection you use, Properties, and there is a check box on
the advanced page.

This will take you back to the publication date of the CD [no new Updates or
Service Packs: so it'll be early release of XP or SP1a level].

You can then go online and download the full SP2 [not using automatic
updates] or get a CD from Microsoft.