SP2 Major Problem

Windows downloaded SP2 without a problem and then tried to install itself. Somehow the installation must have failed somewhere because every time I start my computer I get the message about Installing Updates 3 of 3, the progress indicator shows 0% installed at first then rapidly goes up to 66%, it then takes three hours for the remainder to install. There are no error messages at any time. I have also tried to do a Restore but SP2 seems to have deleted all the Restore points before the installation, or at least it doesn't show them. So, two questions.

1. Can I delete SP2?
2. Where are the Restore points stored?

 

Hi CDI.... Your just updating to SP2 now? (or do you mean SP3)

 

Yes SP2, it doesn't actually say though. I'd like to be able to delete any service pack.

 

The actual number of the service pack didn't come up so I'm assuming number 2 really although I suppose it could be three. I'm more concerned with getting rid of it than anything else or finding my other restore points before it was installed.

 

You should be able to boot to safe mode (press F8) and then login and then be able to remove the Service Pack 2 update via the control panel under Add/Remove Programs, you may place a check in the box next to "Show Updates"

Windows XP stores restore points in a hidden folder called "System Volume Information"

If the above does not work you should do a repair install of windows xp.

 

I am using Vista, not XP, so do you know where the restore points are in that?

 

yes Windows Vista stores restore points in the same location as XP

C:\System Volume Information

 

I'm sorry but I can't find that folder on my system, even using the search facility.

 

From what I understand it boots to DT each time you start it, but after 3hrs for SP2 to install again. Once booted SP2 does not list in CP's win updates?
Can you Pls try Win update, If it shows SP2 (the KB) D'loaded and ready to install just hide the update. At least next time your machine should start up normally.
What Hardware are you on? Hang tight..
Cheers...

 

Akk edit timed out.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948465
First google hit. Cheers..

 

This reply was a bit confusing, I'm assuming:

DT = desktop
CP = control panel?

 

My apologies but yes, that's what I meant.

 

Quite right about what's happening. I have done as you suggested and I have a long, long list of updates going back to 2007. Service Pack 2 is at the top of the list and has 'Successful' against it. I then went to Installed Updates and after scanning the computer I was informed that "There are no updates on this computer". If I double click on the service pack in the update history list I get the message from Microsoft that the pack has been installed successfully and I need to restart the computer for it to take effect. When I do this I have the whole merry-go-round starting again.

 

CDI, pls do wait for others to respond. I'm stumped! Are you On a laptop or OEM Desktop if yes can you give us more details on the same. Cheers & G'night from me :wave

 

It's a Dell desktop Inspiron.

 

Hey CDI , seeing that you're here now - thought I'd try some more.
Once the computer has booted After 3hrs - right click on My Computer in properties does it show SP1 Or SP2. If SP1 then SP2 is not installed, even if Windows Update shows. Get it from here.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...9ff6f22448d&displaylang=en&displaylang=en
Save it in case you need to run it again for what ever reason.
Cheers..

 

It shows SP2 and reading the bumph it says that SP1 must be installed first so I checked on that also and sure enough that too has been installed. I am going to your link for downloading SP2 and save it as you suggest and try running it again to see what happens. I have a funny feeling however that it will then tell me that SP2 is already installed so if it does then it's back to square one again. I will let you know how I get on. If you have any further ideas please let me know.

 

Give it a go in the mean while I will request /PM additional help. Cheers

 

I am going to install Vista on virtualbox when I get home to see if I can figure something out. You'll here back from me tonight if you haven't figured anything out by then.

I always suggest people run a chkdsk if they are experiencing Windows problems so you might want to start with that. Open a command prompt and type in 'chkdsk c: /r' without the quotes and press enter.

 

Hi Halo, I have tried your suggestions and finally had to go to the last one and the result was as I posted earlier :

"Quite right about what's happening. I have done as you suggested and I have a long, long list of updates going back to 2007. Service Pack 2 is at the top of the list and has 'Successful' against it. I then went to Installed Updates and after scanning the computer I was informed that "There are no updates on this computer". If I double click on the service pack in the update history list I get the message from Microsoft that the pack has been installed successfully and I need to restart the computer for it to take effect. When I do this I have the whole merry-go-round starting again."

I normally turn my computer off at night so I thought I would be clever and leave it on all the time because it works perfectly after the three to four hour wait. All was fine while I worked during the afternoon and evening until about midnight so I left the computer on. The next day I sat down again and although my browser worked OK every program I tried to start came up with an error message saying that such and such a file was missing and the program could not be run. This applied to everything from utilities to games. The missing file being different in all cases. Any way I don't seem to be getting anywhere with this so now I am going to stop the computer tonight and then tomorrow morning suffer the three hour wait and then use the computer as normal. Tomorrow night I will turn it off, again as normal, but because I wake two or three times every night I will switch it back on about 4 or 5 o'clock and it should be ready to use by the time I get up. As far as I can see my only alternative is to switch to Windows 7 or format the whole disk and start again.