SP3 won't load on my XP system

I'm guessing there are six zillion posts on this subject, but I can't find any. When I try to update my Windows XP to Service Pack 3, as I'm constantly being reminded to do, it goes a short while and then quits. What can I do? Is SP 3 necessary? If not, how do I stop the nagging? Thanks.

 

Here's a link from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

If unable to solve the problem after going through the options above http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

 

Your profile seems to say that you are running Windows ME. If that is the case, I don't think that SP3 will load as it is related to Windows XP. Not sure, just guessing at this point.

 

Surprisingly, I do all the Basic Computer Maintenance listed in that fantastic post by Major Attitude on a regular basis. I also update any program I have whenever advised to do so. And yes, I am using Windows Updates. In fact, I tried it again awhile ago. Here's my tale of woe: The process got as far as "Installing Files." The blue progress bar got about halfway finished--taking about half an hour--when a message showed up saying "Service Pack 3 Setup: Access is denied." I clicked "OK" and got an SP3 setup error informing me that setup did not complete and to select 'OK' to undo the changes that have been made. I clicked OK and, after another 30 minutes or so, I got a message that SP3 installation did not complete, that it was installed partially, and XP may not work properly. That's where I am now. I'm assuming this message will get posted. Here goes.....

 

Doggone it, I changed my sig, but failed to notice what you saw. I have changed it to reflect that I'm using XP Home. Thanks.

 

Hello Everybody: A huge thanks to everyone who offered me help on the SP3 problem. It's finally solved. It took two hours on the phone last night with a tech, plus another half-hour this morning with a tech because the installation had not quite finished overnight. The tech said that something in my system was blocking completion of the installation process, even though the program itself had been installed. I'll never understand all that happened, but "all's well...." Again, thanks to all of you! Oops, I just noticed that I haven't changed my signature to reflect the update; I'll do that now.

 

Whoops--how do I do that?