How do I reinstall SP3 in XP?

Kernel_Sanders

I have XP Home but Service Pack 3 seems to have disappeared. However, there are about 9 more pages of files containing 'sp3' (half of them updates). It's an old machine and hasn't got much HDD space left, so should I try and clear out all these files before downloding a fresh SP3?

Knarf44

This will help - DON'T just delete files or you'll end up having to reinstall everything.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Kernel_Sanders

Knarf44 wrote: »

This will help - DON'T just delete files or you'll end up having to reinstall everything.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

On that first methiod, SP3 is not listed in Add or remove programmes, only SP2. On the second method, that code brings up the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard. So, if it is already uninstalled, what are these ten pages of files?

Knarf44

Ok - in that case create a restore point and then put them all in the recycle bin but don't empty it and then reboot. If the PC reboots normally then they were just remnants of either a failed install or uninstall.

Do you have CCleaner on your PC? If yes, do a registry scan with it, when it asks you if you want to backup first click yes then delete everything it finds. Reboot again and report back here with the what happens.

poppellerant

Firstly, those folders that start with "$" in the Window folder are from Windows updates. Although they can safely be deleted, do as Knarf said - send them to the Recycle Bin, reboot, and if all is good empty the Recycle Bin.

In the Windows folder, there is a folder called SoftwareDistribution, in that folder look for another folder called Download - this is another folder that can hog space, and the contents of that folder can be deleted. If you want, send it to the Recycle Bin, reboot, then delete if safe.

GunJack

download SP3 standalone and burn to a disk. Install it from the disk. Once done, open CCleaner, and before running the cleaner, scroll down the ticked list and tick Hotfix Uninstallers.

This will install SP3 and then take care of all those gash files

Kernel_Sanders

Knarf44 wrote: »

Ok - in that case create a restore point and then put them all in the recycle bin but don't empty it and then reboot. If the PC reboots normally then they were just remnants of either a failed install or uninstall.

Do you have CCleaner on your PC? If yes, do a registry scan with it, when it asks you if you want to backup first click yes then delete everything it finds. Reboot again and report back here with the what happens.

The only access I know to system restore is through Control Panel>System, but you can only change the amount of allocated space there. It's not even under Admin Tools>Computer Mgmt>System Tools. Why do Microsoft make things so difficult?

Kernel_Sanders

GunJack wrote: »

download SP3 standalone and burn to a disk. Install it from the disk. Once done, open CCleaner, and before running the cleaner, scroll down the ticked list and tick Hotfix Uninstallers.
This will install SP3 and then take care of all those gash files

Why would I need to install it via media? Can I use a USB stick instead? (1.84GB).

poppellerant wrote: »

In the Windows folder, there is a folder called SoftwareDistribution, in that folder look for another folder called Download - this is another folder that can hog space, and the contents of that folder can be deleted. If you want, send it to the Recycle Bin, reboot, then delete if safe.

Done that, though only 34MB. Rebooting now.

TakeThis

Make and model? Perhaps consider a clean install with an up to date recovery disc.
That will solve the space problem too.

Figment

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Why do Microsoft make things so difficult?

Because it's Microsoft! Now if it was a Mac........




[hides]

TakeThis

TakeThis wrote: »

Make and model? Perhaps consider a clean install with an up to date recovery disc.
That will solve the space problem too.

Thanks for the Thanks...

So would you consider a clean install?