SP2 Update: I Surrender!

[Bob Swieciki]

After close to a half dozen attempts I finally stopped trying to update to Windows XP Service Pack 2. There, I've said it and it feels good!  I will no longer be a living example of insanity (Doing the same action over and over expecting different results). I've consoled myself by loaded SP1a and all the Windows XP critical updates I could find. Admittedly, I began trying to update to SP2 some time after it's introduction, but I have not found any posts suggesting the severe problems I've experienced while trying to load the SP2 update on Dell PCs. Additionally, I'm mystified that Dell reports no known issues with SP2. I find it hard to believe that my little ole', plain vanilla Dell Dimension 4400 is this rogue PC that can't be slain with the SP2 silver bullet.  

 

 

My Info: Dell Dimension 4400, 1.60 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4, 18 kilobyte primary memory cache, 256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Slot 'J5G3' has 256 MB, Slot 'J5G1' is Empty

 

MAXTOR 6L040L2 [Hard drive] (40.03 GB), Maxtor 6E020L0 [Hard drive] (20.85 GB), HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8160B [CD-ROM drive]

[JoeM]

What type of error are you getting?

[John [MSFT]]

Bob:

If you are having install or application compatibility issues you should
contact Microsoft Support at http://support.microsoft.com - in the assisted
support options in the middle of the page.

SP1 was originally released August 2002; SP2 was released 18 months ago, in
August 2004. There is a 24 month transition period to allow people to
evaluate and deploy SP2 while SP1 is still supported with security fixes
(http://www.microsoft.com/lifecycle). However, effective October 2006,
later this year, security updates for XP SP1 will no longer be available as
it will no longer be in lifecycle supposrt. You need to make plans to
install SP2 prior to this date or risk having an insecure computer.

I encourage everyone still running XP SP1 to plan to install SP2 in the near
future to remain secure. And of course, for those still using XP Orginal
Release, you need to instal SP2 asap.

"JoeM" <joe...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:uoL7gKJO...@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

[Bob Swieciki]

Lockups & instability preventing reboot even under safe mode. The last
concerned a ?lass.exe ? file (not sure of spelling). Blue screen unmountable
disk volume.

"JoeM" <joe...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:uoL7gKJO...@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

[Bob Swieciki]

This is a Dell system. They say SP2 is a software issued not their PC's
problem.

"John [MSFT]" <no.emai...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:eq7lcwJO...@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

[JoeM]

Are you sure you have a clean system (no spyware/malware/virus)

"Bob Swieciki" <swie...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:euz9K2JO...@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

[Bob Swieciki]

As best I can be certain of any of the anti-wares, yes. Ran Adaware prior to
downloads. Ironically, malware/spyware was the oringinal reason "I went into
the swamp" in the first place.

"JoeM" <joe...@msn.com> wrote in message

news:ez0tNAKO...@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

[JoeM]

What errors are you getting registry errors? THose are the only errors I
have come across. I have installed alot of SP2 updates.

"Bob Swieciki" <swie...@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:ucJYAJKO...@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...

[PA Bear]

1. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
log to an appropriate forum.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.net/downloads/hijackthis.zip)
is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

2. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
of health.

Also see:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Bob;
John is suggesting you contact Microsoft Product Support Services.
Issues directly caused by Windows Updates are free,

Another thing you can try if you have or can borrow another hard drive, even
for a few hours.
Swap the hard drive.
Install Windows XP followed by Service Pack 2?
Does it still work OK?
If it does, start updating drivers and adding software.
If the problem returns, you have discovered the root cause.
If not, there is some otherwise unidentifiable corruption.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

"Bob Swieciki" <swie...@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:Ok%23Dr3JO...@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

[Bob Swieciki]

Thanks for the suggestion Jupiter. I've been so lost in the weeds with this
problem I didn't think of doing a test with another drive. I have a clean 20
gb drive. I'll update you next week (busy weekend coming up).

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message
news:%23YKgr$NOGHA...@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

[Bob Swieciki]

Jupiter,

Loaded the spare drive with Win XP home and downloaded & installed SP2.
Everything fine.

Next Day. Felt brave and somewhat confident. Loaded SP2 on main drive. Clean
install no problems. All Security Center activated, firewall up, updates on
& the system was seeing Computer Associates ezAntiVirus, my current av
program.

Next day system starts showing signs of instability....programs skitterish,
locking up & not responding

-Then Security Center says it is unavailable because it was 'stopped'. I
know I didn't stop it. Following the directions to restart Security Center
did not prod it to start.

-Here come my 'lil' friends...error messages.

Dialog box Windows Product Activation. A problem is preventing Windows from
accurately checking the license for this computer. Error Code:0x800703e6.
(Note. The next time I saw this box the Error Code was: 0x900700f.)

Dialog box Windows Registry Recovery. One of the files containing the
system's registry data had to be recovered by use of a log or alternate
copy. The recovery was successful.

Next Windows would not start. Tried all 3 Users. Had to reboot using last
known good config.

I'm getting that bad feeling that had me swearing off SP2 in the first
place.

Calling all MVP's...Help!

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message
news:%23YKgr$NOGHA...@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Bob;
It is pointing at some incompatibility in your system if the other drive
runs OK.

Or perhaps the other drive is still to fresh and in that case you may have a
memory problem.
This tool can help check the memory but it is far from definitive if no
errors are found:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
The variety of errors could support this theory.

Otherwise you may have to wait until you need to reinstall Windows XP

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

"Bob Swieciki" <swie...@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:%233qoxFu...@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

[Robert Aldwinckle]

(Cross-post to XP Hardware added)
"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message news:uOlA75J...@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

> Bob;
> It is pointing at some incompatibility in your system if the other drive
> runs OK.
>
> Or perhaps the other drive is still to fresh and in that case you may have a
> memory problem.
> This tool can help check the memory but it is far from definitive if no
> errors are found:
> http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
> The variety of errors could support this theory.
>
> Otherwise you may have to wait until you need to reinstall Windows XP

Do we know any details about the hardware?
Perhaps the main drive is old enough that a driver update
for XPsp2 from the manufacturer is needed?
And that may not be the case for the other (newer? different manufacturer?
etc.?) drive.

It looks as if he could get more information about disk drivers
from Device Manager (disk drive) Properties. E.g. in mine
I can go into Driver Details... to see their names.

I tried to see if msinfo32 had any way to capture this information
but couldn't see it there.

Cross-posting to an XP Hardware group hoping for more conventional
techniques for acquiring and using such information. ; }

Robert Aldwinckle
---

[Andrew E.]

Did you try going back to windows update,even though SP2 is/was installed
thiers about 10-15 critical add ons left from update...Youre "other drive"
even
if set to a "page file" for disk C: simply has no bearing to the system.Go
to run,
type:Msinfo32 Hardware,open "problem devices".Chk event viewer also.

[Bob Swieciki]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Jupiter: I ran the memory diagnostic, both standard & extended tests. All
ok.

Andrew: Ran MSInfo32 Hardware. Display was: Can't Collect Information.
Cannot access the Windows Management Instrumentation software. Windows
Management files may be moved or missing.

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message

news:uOlA75J...@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

[Robert Aldwinckle]

"Bob Swieciki" <swie...@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:OLc76GVP...@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

> Thanks for the suggestions.
>
> Jupiter: I ran the memory diagnostic, both standard & extended tests. All
> ok.
>
> Andrew: Ran MSInfo32 Hardware. Display was: Can't Collect Information.
> Cannot access the Windows Management Instrumentation software. Windows
> Management files may be moved or missing.

Bob,

In case Andrew is reading only in the Hardware NG I cross-posted to
you should either reply to his post or add a cross-post for this subthread
yourself. ICIM I'll do it now for you.

Hmm... a problem with that will be that his newsreader (web interface)
won't recognize this post as part of the thread he replied to.
E.g. it will just appear as another unrelated cross-post with the same
Subject. If his newsreader was OE these posts would at least be
grouped together so they would appear as part of the same discussion
(as they are here in the WU NG.)

Another reason to reply to him in that subthread, particularly since he is
using the web interface, is that he might be using the notification feature.
That also won't be fired by this new subthread. Similarly, if he was using
OE and marked the first subthread Watched the posts in this new subthread
would not be marked Watched either. Etc.

FYI

Robert
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