Need help for SP2 Update

[KewlKat]

I've been trying for years to get this update on my PC. Everytime I get "access denied", failure and then it undoes most of what it tried to do and usually leaves me wonky as it says partially updated, etc. It must be a registry key or something causing this. This time before trying I removed all my spyware, virus stuff, etc, as I read somewhere that could cause this problem. I still failed this morning. I'm having more and more issues surfing the web, getting hung up, bumped off, etc, and when I send a report it always tells me update to help eliminate the issue. Well, I can't get the update to install!

Can anyone help me. I'm far from a whiz at this stuff and I just want to update this damn PC. If you have any instructions, can you dumb them down so I can follow them. I'm ready to chuck this out the window and no I can't buy a MAC, tho I've dreamt of owning one.

I would be forever grateful! Thanks.

[Why Syzygy]

1. Somewhere to start ...

Per usual with MS, nothing is cut and dried. The KB describes a solution found to be successful by some users in the tech support forum. If you haven't tried the simpler methods first, maybe do. "Admin rights", etc. OTOH, the registry fix seems simple enough. Please let us know your outcome.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/873148

http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/14528-xp-sp2-access-denied.html

[KewlKat]

2. Thanks

I found some "fix it" thing on the MS website. It changed all the registries, I guess, to maybe default to original? Anyway, did the SP2 install and got the farthest I've ever gotten before. It hung up during the cleanup phase.........so, I will be trying the install again.

I bought a new to me software program and it says I have to have Windows with SP2........so, that's why I'm panicking more than normal. I've been at this all morning........Thank you for your help.

[pokerfan]

3. Microsoft will send you SP updates on disc

I realize that this doesn't address the root cause of what's preventing the update from completing but it's at least a potential workaround.

[KewlKat]

4. I'm at my wits end......no wonder it's taken me years to get this damn thing

installed. I followed everything I can find on the net, plus what you gave me. I used a "fix it" program that microsoft said would fix the keys.......I get to the "performing cleanup" and it goes no farther.

I have no idea about the slipstream stuff. I'm sure I have a CD for the XP Pro, but will have to dig for it. I thought the "fix it" thing was supposed to restore to security defaults, but if it did, there has to be some other problem. I have lots of programs on my PC and sure don't want to have to reinstall XP, provided I can find the CD. This is so beyond me........I'm really hating microsoft right now.

Any other ideas short of throwing this out the window?

[Why Syzygy]

5. I will

bbl and try to find something else. Meanwhile, look for your XP disk.

What error message are you getting now? You can also Google: XP SP2 *error message* or XP SP2 install *error message* or XP SP2 install "performing cleanup" if there is no error message. This is what I will do if I get back before you do.

I know from recent experience, you cannot even run the online MS One Care cleaner without having SP2 installed. That would fix any registry errors. Not an option at this point.

[KewlKat]

6. MIRACLE!!!!

After the fourth failure I was done in. I posted here and then decided one more time to google, found a helpful guy who wrote about folks not wanting to go SP2 and what to expect, etc....and he had a couple links in there. So, I went to one and it was only for HP pc's which I don't have. I went to the other, at microsoft and this is what is said: Update for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB885894) I figured why not, even tho I figured since I didn't have SP2 it would be effort wasted but I downloaded it, very tiny file and restarted. Well as the system came back it did all sorts of things and when it finally settled I clicked on the my computer and it said I now have SP2. It took me a bit to get back on the net as it had my security settings "high", so I lowered to medium and got back online. I also have that annoying security window now.......lol.

So, thank you for trying to help me and allowing me to vent. This was my worse microsoft experience I've had to date and hope to have in what remains of my life.

[Why Syzygy]

7. LOL!

Yeah it feels good to finally battle the beast to the ground. :kick:

Annoying security window? Is that the one you can disable in Control Panel? You probably want to make sure it didn't set it to automatically download and install updates (part of the security set up).

Congrats!