Cannot install XP Service Pack 3

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 running Windows XP. I am trying to download Service Pack 3, and I keep getting the error message "Access is denied." I have tried disabling my firewall and antivirus program (I even tried uninstalling the antivirus) and resetting file permissions (which I was unable to do). I've tried installing it in safe mode and on a clean boot. I am using an administrator account. Am I doing something wrong? What else can I try? Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer help!

 

Are you downloading SP3 from Microsoft or from Major Geeks? Try downloading it from MG if you were using M'soft before. Here's the link:

http://majorgeeks.com/Microsoft_Windows_XP_Service_Pack_3_d4323.html

If you still get "Access Denied" the below about malware applies.

Do you have another computer to which you can download SP3 and transfer it to the 8200 with a memory stick? If you do that and still get "Access denied" when you try to install SP3, I suspect that you have malware at work. Lots of nasties will make inoperative firewalls, AVs, Windows updates and M'soft downloads. Your inability to reset file permissions is another clue pointing toward malware.

Suggest going to the Malware-Removal Forum and working through the procedures in the sticky READ & RUN ME FIRST and seeing if that changes anything. If any of the tools you run from the sticky's instructions indicate malware, post in that forum and include the requested log files.

Good luck.

 

I was using the Microsoft download. I just tried downloading from the link you provided and it gave me the same error message. I will try the malware forum next. So you don't think registry keys are the problem? As I said, I tried resetting file permissions, but was unsuccessful. The first time I tried it, though, it gave me an error message that referred to Avast (which is the antivirus program I am currently using). Do you think this means there is a problem with malware or the Avast program itself? I realize that is probably a question for the malware forum, but I was wondering if Avast could be causing registry issues.

 

I did also recently try transferring it using a flash drive, with the same results.

 

Do you get that message while downloading, or while installing the service pack?

Any more info about what access is denied to? Can you check the event logs (using the Event Viewer)?

 

Hello, again,

To answer your question, yes, it could be just a setting or three in the registry, but it still smells like malware to me. I use Avast, too, on my XP Pro SP3 laptop and it's never yelled at me when I make registry modifications.

Other than the time it takes, it doesn't hurt a thing to go through the READ & RUN ME FIRST sticky, and often times it helps things even if there is no malware involved. I've seen people comment on how much better their computer runs just by going through the sticky. Sometimes things just need a good cleaning

Once you've gone through the sticky, I think you'll know whether or not you need to post in that forum. FYI, just because SuperAntiSpyware, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and Avast may say that you're clean doesn't necessarily mean that you are, but if any of them say that you're not, there's likely more there that they aren't catching.

In any case, even if you're unsure whether or not to post there, it doesn't hurt at all to make a post there so they can look over things for you. If those folks say you're good to go, come back over here and we'll see if we can get SP3 installed. If nothing else, they can help you get your permissions back.

 

I got the 'access denied' message while trying to install the service pack. I just ran everything in the READ and RUN ME FIRST sticky (well, I tried- RootRepeal didn't cooperate) and I posted logs on a thread on the malware forum. Where would I look in Event Viewer to find out what access is denied to?

 

And something tells me this is definitely a case of a computer in need of a good cleaning.

 

Probably under System; look for the time when you last tried to install it.

Not 100% sure that you will find the information you are looking for; if you cannot find it, try to watch the installation process using Process Monitor.

 

Please dont install or change stuff if you have posted in the malware forum, as changing things will just confuse/cause extra work for the malware removal people here, complete that process then return back if you still have issues with the sp install.

 

Well, I'm back. I apparently did have malware issues, but they seem to be cleared up. What do I need to do now to make sure my file permissions are set so I can install SP3?

 

I tried downloading it from there and it didn't work, until now. The problem was I wasn't correctly resetting the file permissions. I was mistakenly closing the script I was running too soon because I thought the error messages I was getting meant it wasn't working. I didn't realize it was actually correcting the problems. But it is now installed, and all of my other Windows updates have now been installed. Thanks again to everyone who offered help!