Windows Service Pack ....Doh!

Jay-Jay_4

My laptop's just crashed so I sent an error report and clicked the link for further info which suggested that I needed to install some updates....fine so far!

It was installing fine until I got a pop up saying....

The Windows Service Pack installation did not complete. The system is in an unstable state. Go into Control Panel, Add or Remove Programes and choose to uninstall the Windows Service Pack, or contact your system administrator

Yikes.....what does 'The system is in an unstable state' mean and what do I need to do to make it 'stable' again?

I've done what it told me to do but it still won't let me update the blummin thing

Heyulp!

BenL

On the microsoft website there is an option for receiving SP2 on CD for free.

Might be a better bet to get that instead of the windows update method.

Ben

Allexie

BenL wrote:

On the microsoft website there is an option for receiving SP2 on CD for free.

Might be a better bet to get that instead of the windows update method.

Ben

I've got a spare one if it's any use to you???

Jay-Jay_4

Cor..thanks

I'm near PC World tomorrow so I'll pop in and pick one up. Will that sort it out then? I thought when it said 'unstable' it meant my computer was going to explode

Thanks anyway Allexie, that's really kind of you :A

newfoundglory

I dont think a CD of the service pack is going to solve this problem!

I had serious problems upgrading my laptop to SP2. It ended up hanging on the "restarting processes" bit after installing; then gave the error message above. I had a friend who had the same problem and he spent days on the phone to Microsoft who had him manaually start and stop various processes to get it to install successfully.

If you uninstall SP2 you should find that the system goes back to a fairly okay state; but clearly a failed service pack install must leave the system in somewhat of a mess.

Eventually, I just copied the XP disk to the hard drive and patched it with sevice pack 2 before burning it back to a blank CD and then reinstalling windows (and before you ask, yes this is legal!). This process is called slipstreaming (there are instructions online how to do this!); and can be done with non-recovery type disks of XP - and microsoft provide a special SP2 download which allows you to do this. Clearly if the CD is patched with SP2 before reinstalling windows it makes the job a whole lot easier (because you dont have to actually install the service pack).

Browntoa

if you are running Nortons it can cause problems....try disabling it

SomeOne_2

Guide to creating a slipstreamed XP SP2 cd can be found here:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

Using this rather than 'patching' your system is probably better as it will be integrated into Windows when it installs. You're less likely to encounter problems.

danmanchester

newfoundglory wrote:

I dont think a CD of the service pack is going to solve this problem!

I had serious problems upgrading my laptop to SP2. It ended up hanging on the "restarting processes" bit after installing; then gave the error message above. I had a friend who had the same problem and he spent days on the phone to Microsoft who had him manaually start and stop various processes to get it to install successfully.

If you uninstall SP2 you should find that the system goes back to a fairly okay state; but clearly a failed service pack install must leave the system in somewhat of a mess.

Eventually, I just copied the XP disk to the hard drive and patched it with sevice pack 2 before burning it back to a blank CD and then reinstalling windows (and before you ask, yes this is legal!). This process is called slipstreaming (there are instructions online how to do this!); and can be done with non-recovery type disks of XP - and microsoft provide a special SP2 download which allows you to do this. Clearly if the CD is patched with SP2 before reinstalling windows it makes the job a whole lot easier (because you dont have to actually install the service pack).

Does this only work with gold xp discs? As my XP Pro is an HP branded disc I wondered if I could make a slipstreamed version in order to reformat?Thanks for any advice.

SomeOne_2

If it is an OEM cd then it should work. However if it is simply an HP restore disc then it probably wont. Give the above link a try, if it works then it works, if not then no loss.

danmanchester

Thanks guys it is an OEM disc that I have.

HLK

Thi s may help. I managed to install SP2 successfully with the ad of microsoft support using the following instructions...

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I am sorry to hear that the update KB828741 still cannot be installed on your computer. I believe that you have not installed SP2 on your computer. SP2 is a big combine of many security updates. SP2 alos includes the update KB828741. You can refer to the following article:

List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811113

At this point, I recommend you follow the steps to manually install SP2:

Step 1: Please refer to the following article to check if you have installed the programs listed in the article. If so, please remove them before installing SP2.

Title: Programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

Link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;884130

Step 2: Please click the following link to save the file to your local disk.

Windows XP Service Pack 2

http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/5/165b076b-aaa9-443d-84f0-73cf11fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe

Step 3: Enter Safe Mode to install SP2.

1. Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when you see the boot menu.

2. When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select Safe Mode, and then press Enter.

3. Log onto Windows by using the Administrator account and password.

NOTE: The password is blank by default unless you have already set a password. In Safe Mode, your system display and desktop will look and perform differently than in normal mode. This is only temporary.

4. Please double click the EXE file to start installing.

Can SP2 be installed successfully?

If you have a dial-up connection, I believe it will be inconvenient for you to download the installation package. The Windows XP SP2 CD is available from the following link:

Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Please go to the link and it will guide you to submit a request of an SP2 CD. Since many Windows XP users require the SP2 CD, it will take four to six weeks to deliver the CD to you. Thank you for your understanding.
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I followed these instructions sent by and advisor at mssupport, including the check for programs known to stop functioning under SP2, t the letter. Sp2 now installed successfully. I ran Belaric advisor both before and after, keeping prints to spot anthing untoward.
Hope this helps.