windows xp service pack hell - please help

misty

I installed a windows XP service pack 2 - big mistake. It was a nightmare!! uninstalled it and did system restore to last good date. worked fine for once - turned PC off and now every time I switch on I get "Isass.exe - System Error. endpoint format is invalid. If I click OK, my computer reboots and this creates a horrible cycle Please help.

woo

can you boot into safe mode ok? if so you could try a restore point further back.

squidzin

If you can't boot into safe mode, read this...

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6268_11-5330486.html

...solution 2 is the one that may help you.

woo

also have a look at:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307545

few bits of good feedback on this advice, but it is quite techy.

keepthereceipt

I had exactly this same experience, as reported on this forum a week or so ago.

I tried to remove SP2 using Add/Remove programs and the machine wouldn't boot after that.

To solve it, I rebooted from the original XP CD (ensure that the bios is set to boot from CD) and then go through the options to install XP. You shouldn't lose any of your settings.

Then re-install SP2. You will need a CD, but these are available free with several pc mags in Smith's.

So, I now have SP2 again, but on the other hand at least I have the pc back.

I understand that many of the problems associated with SP2 are because of the extra security it applies. Try turning this off in control panel to speed up the machine.

Good luck.

misty

Thanks for the replies - A million nightmares later - I had to re-install everything from scratch. Consequent;y, I have lost loads of doc I hadn't backed up :-[ As we alaways hearing about nothing is ever gone - anybody know How I could get any docs back or Pics of my son - that I don't have hard copies of???

NellyLock

in any point of this process did you ever format the drive, if not than files may be recoverable. although these tools are generally not free. look round for stuff like 'undelete' etc, i used one in the past but cant rmmber what it was called...it may work

qs

I have with much trepidation intsalled sp2 succesfully on my computer. However before I did this I
a) backed up all my files.
b) created a restore point
c) turned off my firewall. I am not sure whther this has any effect on isntallation but they conflict now I have installed. I have turned off the windows Xp firewall and continue to use Zonealarm which provides better protection than XP firewall.

I know this will not help misty but may be useful for those of yet to install.

gom

scouselass

Is it absolutely necessary to install the XP service pack? I have tried twice, but because it takes so long, and I am on dial up, it never gets through the install.

Now I've read this stuff, I don't think I want to bother, but should I really?

peter_the_piper

Apart from pop-up blocker and 'Firewall' what else is new? If we have kept up with the updates is there anything really necessary? I'll still do a weekly check (manually as I use Firefox) and update anything necessary.

woo

there are changes to stuff that will make your pc more secure in that it closes more of the back doors that virus writers use and make it harder to exploit new ones.

i have heard a few people have issues when downloading over a slow-ish connection which could be causing these install issues. as keepthereceipt said you can get it on cd and this is probably the best way forward.