Microsoft Windows SP2

I recently tried installing microsoft windows service pack 2 onto my computer in order to be able to install other programs such as microsoft excel and various firewalls.
I downloaded the installation file and began downloading SP2 onto my computer. About half way through the installation i recieved the error message:

Setup cannot cpoy the file netsetup.exe
Ensure that the location specified below is correct or change it and insert 'Windows XP Service Pack 2 Source Files' in the drive you specify.

I really need help with this as i have no idea how to fix it and successfully install SP2. I would appreciate it if somebody could help with this.
Thanks.

 

The following is from
http://winhlp.com/node/125#Cannot_install_Service_Pack_2

Do you have any Virtual Drive Software? If you don't know what it is, and no one else has ever done anything to the computer (eg, it's not second hand), this probably won't be the problem.

BTW, are you installing SP2 from a disc or a download?

 

the computer isnt second hand but we recently had a virus so it has been reformated. im installing SP2 from a download i found on the microsoft website.
Thanks.

P.S - i recently tried to install SP2 again and got the same error message but it said it could not copy 'telnet.exe'. Not sure if that helps.

 

OK. It looks like it's not the virtual drive problem.

Just btw, are you sure you haven't already got SP2 installed? Where did you get the software to reinstall Windows after reformatting the harddrive? Sometimes it can include SP2 already. You can check whether you have SP2 by going to Start, right click on My Computer, click on properties and look under System. It should tell you the OS and the version, and if you have SP2 it will be listed there.

If not, try the second option in my post. I'll use your latest example to clarify (if needed - make sure you read down to the NOT: below before starting):

Start installing SP2.

When it says, 'Cannot copy the file telnet.exe', leave the error message there untouched, and open Windows Explorer.

Find 'telnet.exe' (use search if you have to - it will probably be in the Windows folder on your C drive - this particular file is i the System32 folder), and rename it, if it's there. You could name it 'telnet.old' (to rename, right click on file, click on Rename, overwrite with the new name).

Now, go back to the error message and click on Retry.

Hopefully, it will now get past that file.

If it then comes up with another error (for another file), do the same thing (the next file should be easier to find than the first - in the same or a nearby folder).

Keep doing this until it's happy. There could be a large number of file to get through. I don't know.

NOTE: You may find that it won't let you rename the file because it is Read Only. You will then need to remove the read-only attribute (right click on file > Properties > General tab > uncheck Read Only under Attributes at the bottom).

If this Read-Only thing is happening, you may not need to rename any files at all - just remove the Read-Only attribute from the file, thus allowing the SP2 install to overwrite the existing files.

Hope this helps.

 

G'day. I saw your "Thanks".
You're welcome.
Does that mean you have solved the problem? If so, it would be great if you could say what you did, so others with the same problem can see what to do. It would help those who help others too. (Also, I'm curious!!! rolleyes)

 

i havent solved the problem yet. Thanks for replying though. i did what you said but when i rename the file and i click on retry nothing happens. i assumed this was because it couldnt find the filename to copy. any ideas?
I am going to try SP3 in a day or two...
do you need any previous service packs before you install this one?
i will keep you posted on what happens...
thanks for the help so far.

 

We might need some more-expert help here, so if anyone would care to chip in, please feel free.

SP3 covers all the previous updates, but there have been some problems with it.
Also, if there are problems installing SP2, there is a fair chance you will also have problems with SP3.
Personally, I'd persevere with SP2, but it's up to you of course.
One question, have you used the computer on the Internet since reformatting it? You may have picked up some nasties, as XP is not that well protected. You might need to think about reformatting again, or doing a cleanup as here: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
It's a pretty long and involved process though, so you may prefer the reformat.
There could be a number of things causing the problem. Rather than my trying to repeat them all, I suggest you go to the site I listed in an earlier post (http://winhlp.com/node/125#Cannot_in...Service_Pack_2) and see if anything there looks relevant. Check the Preparation section first and see if you think any of that might be causing a problem. You might like to skip the first bullet point in preparation for now, as that can be a bit tricky I believe (I've never done it - just read about it). You could update the drivers and disable your virus scanner (disconnect from the Internet first) and follow the other points and see if it helps.

You'll see there are some log files listed there that might tell us what's going wrong too. Have a look. Post a copy if you don't get it.

Perhaps you could clarify this a bit. Does it just sit there blinking at you, with nothing on the screen?
This DOES tell us that the file is already there. Could you go and see if there is a new version of the file (with the original name) after you clicked Retry? That would be useful to know.

 

hi guys,
thanks for the help. unfortunately i was unable to get xp to work. A friend gave me a korean service pack 3 install cd. this didnt seem to work and now i cant even install xp at all. at the moment i am using the latest version of ubuntu. 8.10. it seems ok. the only thing i dont like is that i cannot seem to install a program that can sync my ipod videos. i will continue with ubuntu for now. If i need to revert back later i will try and see what happens.
Thanks for all the help so far.
anilanator.

 

OK. You might be able to get some help with your Ubuntu problem on this Linux forum:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50
All the best.