Why can't I install XP SP2 from a saved download?

I downloaded it by saving. And it took about 24 hours 52kbps. When I tried to install(tried clicking every icon) still no luck. And I don't see the exe. file anywhere. Somehow the folder named itself i386.
Any ideas. I actually deleted it. So it was on my pc before. System Restore doesn't work now either.
Thanks

 

I'm not sure what you mean... You downloaded it? Like from the internet? A full legal version of XP cannot be downloaded from the internet. The key word here is legal. If you downloaded something and spent 24 hours doing so, you should have at least waited 'til you found out if it was useful before deleting it. If your PC already has a i386 folder, there is a way to reload Windows using just that folder, but it is slow, and a fairly involved process, but it can be done.

 

The SP itself is available free from MS, I believe it's 266MB. I made an SP2 disk using nLite as the SP took forty minutes to install from CD, same as XP.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
This is the link to Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. It is NOT the operating system in it's entirety; it is just SP2 to be used to update SP1 or pre-SP1 (I call it Service Pack Zero or SP0). As you can see, it is an .exe file, and (as augiedoggie pointed out) it's 266mb. A full version of Windows XP Pro SP2 is over 500mb (about 585mb if I remember correctly).

 

Sorry all.
I'll start over. I had Windows XP. I then upgraded to SP 2 like over a year ago. All was fine. But then trying to fix something, I deleted the SP 2 pak from add/remove programs. Well that didn't fix the problem. So I downloaded the upgrade a day or so ago SP2(24 hrs). And as mentioned, won't install. I don't see the exe. file that is used in the download name. I still have it(SP 2 download) on the pc. This is not the original that worked, it's the one I downloaded a few days ago. I downloaded from microsoft.com
Note:When I reboot, message in bottom right says:This version of windows XP is no longer secure.
Thanks.

 

You downloaded it from the same link I posted above? Strange. I know it's a big time PITA, but maybe try downloading it again, or if you have a friend with DSL/broadband, have them download it for you and burn it to a CD........ alternatively, you can request a CD from Microsoft but there is a fee. It's a small fee for shipping I think..... or you can go to Windows Updates, but that's probably even slower...

 

Yes I did download it from the above link. And a little while ago, my pc asked if I wanted to install SP 2? I clicked yes, and it installed. Somehow, I'm trying to update the player to 11 since it didn't.....as of yet. Also, internet explorer isn't working quite yet either. I'll give it a go.
Thanks all for the help.
Cheers!