Win XP service pack install problems

I am working on an old Compaq Presario for a local church, I have installed 1gig of ddr, and was trying to install service pack 1a, so that I could install service pack 3. No matter what I try it will not work, I keep getting a message that the file is corrupt, and it shuts down.
The unit has no anti-virus on it, and will not allow it to be installed. All new programs to be installed shows the same message "file is corrupt".

I have never been through anything like this before, and have always been able to fix these types of problems.
This one has me stumped.

I have been to the Compaq site and followed all their steps for the installation, but still am having problems with it.

The church was given a gift of free internet by a member, and that is why there was NEVER any updates.

Thanks for any help that anyone can give.

Tim:banghead

 

For starters. Is XP the operating system installed already? There were versions of XP that included diffrent service pacs. Depending when they came out. I have a XP disk with service pac 1 on it along with another one that has a #3 pac. 2 diffrent computers original disks. All updated with important up-dates.

You might have service pac 1 on it already if an older XP install. And you should read this on the 1a. -> http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=19751

My 1st thought was run auto up-dates, but found out you need at least service pac 1a or 2 to install the auto-updater. -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Second thought is if you have service pac 1 on it. Download #2 and then let it do auto-updates. You can always re-download a file if the original got yuked up while downloading. I always use MSN sight for a download like that. Hope this helps.

 

Yes service pack 1 is on the unit, however if you do not have service pack 1.a on the system you can't install service pack 2 or 3.
The unit will not allow me to install any updates, I get the same error message of "corrupt file", then it shuts down.

Any other suggestions?

 

I was editing while you replyed. Try to re-download 1a from the 1st MSN link. Save it to your desk top. Is there a firewall on it? Other than XP's firewall? If so the firewall might be stopping it.

Another suggestion. If a basic op problem. Go to my computer, right click on C drive. Chose propertys, then tools. See error check? click on it, put the checks in both boxes. Click on start. it will tell you it needs to re-start to do it. Restart the computer to let it do the work. Then try to re-download the service pac 1a and install.

 

I will try it in the morning, I am about 11 miles from it right now.
That is one thing I did not think of to check.

Any other possibilities would be helpfull to add to my list to check.

Thanks Tim

 

When windows, any version installs. It puts a full version, un-corrupted in the compter.

Older versions were called cab files. Xp? Don't know what they are called now.

When you do a error check, it will compare existing files to the un-corrupted XP file. Replace whats missing.

Old days, I used to re-install windows without the disk using that file on steps. Thru dos. By changing directorys at each prompt on starting with C:. Dos prompts. C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. Setup or install command lasty. One didn't work, the other one did.

Worse case senario. Call up the manufacture and ask for re-store disks. Nominul cost. 20 bucks. Tell them you have big issues and the restore disks are not found. Get the pre-loaded crap you can take out later. You'll need the serial # to give them. Up and running like it came outta the box when opened new. Go from there on up-dates. Fresh system.

 

Confirm: Last case scenario, Disc from Compaq would cost about $12 and might come with SP3. You just need the # on the computer. Get it in about a week.
But that might mean total reinstall.

 

Thanks for all your info, I will try to get another disk for them and get this system going.
I know that the church is happy for all the help that you have given, and so am I. I will do the error check first then order the disk.

Tim

 

You might want to try downloading the full redistributable SP3. It should include all previous SPs and will evaluate the system and update in order until you get to SP3. (At least in theory.)

Just save a copy to the desktop and run it. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=24

 

Hello,
I am not sure why Microsoft insists that SP1a be used. The only difference between SP1 and SP1a is that Microsoft removed the VM due to a dispute with Sun and Java. In fact, Microsoft said that if you have SP1, do not download SP1a. I believe Microsoft listed SP1a because that is the last SP of version 1, without the java machine. I would do what sach2 suggests and download the full install of SP3. Then just install. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

I have tried everything now and still get "FILE IS Corrupt" message.
I even went as far as reinstalling a copy of Win XP that I have and registered it.

What would make it think that the factory disks from Microsoft be corrupt.

 

I reread your first post and you pointed out that "All new programs to be installed shows the same message "file is corrupt"". This leads me to believe you either have a hardware problem or a malware issue.

You might want to find out the manufacturer of your hard drive and then go to their site for a diagnostic utility to see if the drive is going bad. It may also be a memory error. Download and run memtest+. You will have to burn the iso with something like Imgburn. You cannot just copy the iso file to the CD.

http://www.memtest.org/

Because you cannot install an antivirus to check, you can try one of the online virus checkers or burn a bootable antivirus CD like Dr Web. You will have to burn the iso with something like Imgburn. You cannot just copy the iso file to the CD.

Dr. Web Live CD Documentation

 

There should be no virus on the hard drive because I reinstalled xp to the drive.
I even have problems trying to even installing IE 8.
Any other ideas?

Tim

 

Other than to do a hard drive diagnostic and memory test, I have run out of ideas, especially since you did a new install. Hopefully sach2 or somebody else can give there thoughts on this.

I never came across the problem of every program saying that the file is corrupt and cannot be installed.

If you want to install XP SP3 and you have an install disk, you can use a program called called Autostreamer to stream SP3 into your installation CD and then burn the iso file to create a XP SP3 install disk. I have done this successfully with this program.