Anyone had an XP SP3 upgrade fail?

[Rik]

I decided it was time I got around to updating the notebook today, but it failed midway with an 'Access denied' error, then reversed the changes.

Ideas anyone?

[Inactive]

Can't help Rik, but mine went as smooth as silk, not much help to you...sorry.

[kinmel]

Are you downloading from the Microsoft Update site or running the executable locally ?

[Rik]

Downloading, Alan.

[kinmel]

Knowledge Base Answer

Otherwise download the executable update from HERE

[Rik]

Thanks, Alan. I'm downloading the pack this time and I'll see what happens. It wasn't the AV, that was disabled, so running from a local copy should give me a better chance of seeing what went wrong (it just went into undo mode and re-booted today, so I couldn't check anything. )

[Steve]

Could I ask which make and processor as I am thinking along the lines of the original oem install of xp being from a universal image

[Glenn]

Thanks, Alan. I'm downloading the pack this time and I'll see what happens. It wasn't the AV, that was disabled, so running from a local copy should give me a better chance of seeing what went wrong (it just went into undo mode and re-booted today, so I couldn't check anything. )

Was there anything in the event log?

[kinmel]

Check the update log to see what failed

How to determine whether the registry update has failed

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %windir%\svcpack.log, and then click OK. The Svcpack.log file opens.
  2. On the Edit menu, click Find.
  3. In the Find what box, type DoRegistryUpdates failed, and then click Find Next.

[Rik]

Could I ask which make and processor as I am thinking along the lines of the original oem install of xp being from a universal image

Acer laptop, Core2Duo processor, can't remember the number but it's 1.6GHz.

[Rik]

Check the update log to see what failed

How to determine whether the registry update has failed

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %windir%\svcpack.log, and then click OK. The Svcpack.log file opens.
  2. On the Edit menu, click Find.
  3. In the Find what box, type DoRegistryUpdates failed, and then click Find Next.

Produces:

1165.422: DoRegistryUpdates:UpdSpInstallFromInfSection Failed for ProductInstall.GlobalRegistryChanges.Install error: 0x5
1165.422: INF_REGISTRY Failed
1165.422: DoInstallation:DoRegistryUpdates failed
1170.469: Unregistration of sprecovr successful
1171.015: Access is denied.
1175.781: Message displayed to the user: Access is denied.
1175.781: User Input: OK
1175.797: Service Pack 3 installation did not complete.

Select 'OK' to undo the changes that have been made.
1178.640: Message displayed to the user: Service Pack 3 installation did not complete.

Select 'OK' to undo the changes that have been made.
1178.640: User Input: OK
1178.656: Starting process:  C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe /~ -u -z
1878.484: Software Update Rollback has completed with return code 0xbc2.  This rollback requires a reboot.
1878.500: Service Pack 3 installation did not complete.

Windows XP has been partially updated and may not work properly.
1884.797: Message displayed to the user: Service Pack 3 installation did not complete.

Windows XP has been partially updated and may not work properly.
1884.797: User Input: OK
1884.797: Update.exe extended error code = 0x5

[kinmel]

So it is registry permissions problem, using the executable version won't be any better.

Cut to the chase and follow the instructions for advanced user and download SubinACL.msi and use the script on my earlier link to reset the registry permissions.

[Rik]

Already pasted and ready to go, Alan. Thanks. 

[Steve]

Quick google shows many similar problems, looks like Alan's got you on the right track though

[Rik]

So far, it's found two keys it can't unlock under LOCAL-MACHINE\SECURITY...

[vitriol]

mine was fine, went through no problems, hope you get it sorted soon Rik.

[Rik]

Thanks, Vit. The keys don't exist on my other machines and I can't open them (or delete them) in regedit, so I'm not sure whether the second attempt will work...

[Steve]

This worked for someone, started xp in clean boot state (link below) and the followed the method Alan suggested


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

[Rik]

Thanks, Steve. Why do I get the feeling this is going to be more trouble than it's worth.

[kinmel]

Check that you are running as the expected User and that User has Administrator rights, find out in Control Panel > User Accounts

If I am teaching Granny to suck eggs - Sorry

[Rik]

It's always easy to miss the obvious, Alan, so no apologies needed. Yes, I have admin rights.

[Rik]

Same error at second attempt, so it's those two locked keys, which I can't access through regedit.exe. I think more digging, but tomorrow... 

[Ray]

Same error at second attempt, so it's those two locked keys, which I can't access through regedit.exe. I think more digging, but tomorrow... 

Have you tried right clicking on the 2 keys and selecting permissions and them granting your admin user name full permission to them, Rik, you should be able to edit/delete them then. I had to do this to get rid of the remnants of an AV system once in my case "system" was the only user granted permission for the keys.

[Rik]

I haven't, Ray, as the second attempt left me with a very screwy machine (nothing in Device Manager, for example). Having restored from that successfully, the two keys have gone. I'm very, very, confused now. I think I'll continue in the morning when my brain is functioning.

[Ray]

I haven't, Ray, as the second attempt left me with a very screwy machine (nothing in Device Manager, for example). Having restored from that successfully, the two keys have gone. I'm very, very, confused now. I think I'll continue in the morning when my brain is functioning.

Computers can be very perverse and frustrating at times can't they? Rik. I hope it all falls into place in the morning. 

[drummer]

I've had no problems installing SP3 using the executable even though I'm neither an IT professional nor a developer, just someone who doesn't bother with MS updates.

Wouldn't dream of installing it in anything other than Safe mode though because it doesn't need to "phone home" to complete the SP3 installation.

[Sebby]

I've had this problem with registry keys, Rik. I can't remember where I found the answer, but it is out there.

If I come across it before you've sorted the problem, I'll let you know.

[Lance]

erm, thanks for the help, Sebby!

[Lance]

Now thats not fair, you added to your post whilst i was writing mine!

[Sebby]

Try this - I think it's what I used.

Now thats not fair, you added to your post whilst i was writing mine!

I think you might be seeing things.

[Rik]

Thanks, Seb. Unfortunately, I don't think that works on the registry does it? What appears to be happening is that the upgrade is creating keys and locking them, then failing because of them. Very odd. 

[Steve]

Thanks, Seb. Unfortunately, I don't think that works on the registry does it? What appears to be happening is that the upgrade is creating keys and locking them, then failing because of them. Very odd. 

Sounds like something odd with admin permissions on that account.Did you try a clean boot?

[kinmel]

See if any of THIS helps

Thanks, Seb. Unfortunately, I don't think that works on the registry does it? What appears to be happening is that the upgrade is creating keys and locking them, then failing because of them. Very odd. 

Like Steve I still think it the User's permissions that are the problem

[Rik]

Sounds like something odd with admin permissions on that account.Did you try a clean boot?

Not yet. I've girded my loins to try again today when my brain is fully engaged, Steve.

[Rik]

See if any of THIS helps

Like Steve I still think it the User's permissions that are the problem

Thanks, Alan. I went through that lot before starting, so had done everything required. I'll double check permissions before trying again today.

[Rik]

Very odd. I've tried a clean boot but it still failed. I then tried to boot to safe mode and it didn't offer me the choice. I'm wondering if Acer have tweaked something, I'll drop them an email...

[Sebby]

I wonder if it's worth creating a new account to do the install, or maybe try the Administrator account?

[Rik]

I did the latter, Seb, it failed at the same point. The fact that there's no safe boot option is the puzzle to me, and I just wonder whether Acer have customised the installation in some way.

[Inactive]

No help to you Rik, but I have downloaded SP3 to an Acer Desktop without any problems.

[Rik]

There goes another theory. I can see a re-install coming on... 

[Inactive]

I wonder if it is related to the built in Acer Empowering Technology cr*p that is built in their machines Rik?

[Rik]

That's where my thoughts are pointing, In. I've removed most of it, but the power management is still there. I do have a copy of Vista I could put on I suppose. 

[Inactive]

I do have a copy of Vista I could put on I suppose. 

...and ruin a good machine.. 

[Steve]

That's where my thoughts are pointing, In. I've removed most of it, but the power management is still there. I do have a copy of Vista I could put on I suppose. 

I doubt you would have any issues with a vista install. I think for the potential time to be spent on issues like this a clean install of xp is probably the most time efficient. I have installed sp3 on three machines and only had a problem with one which was related to the Asus MB type A8n32 -sli

[Rik]

Thanks, Steve. I'll see what Acer have to say, as I'm wondering about all their bits of software which are run in the background.

[Glenn]

Maybe the laptop doesn't have sp3 compatible drivers it is 'Designed for Vista' after all

[Rik]

This is true...

[Steve]

I suppose most computer manufacturers don't install the OS they just dump an image on the C: drive. I have found a reinstall of XP on a Toshiba laptop a very laborious process as all the additional "function" drivers had to be installed in a very particular order otherwise they wouldn't work, conversely with Vista it didnt seem to matter which order as long as they were there.

[Rik]

You're right there, Steve, particularly with notebooks in my experience. I think I'll just buy a netbook and dump the Acer. Hey, Christmas is coming.

[Steve]

The Samsung NC10 looks ok especially the 6 cell battery, its possibly an MSI Wind derivative they will run mac OSX,Linux and XP but you need to take the back off and stick in another 1GB to run vista

[Rik]

QVC had them last weekend as a TSV. I was tempted... Aldi have a netbook tomorrow, which looks quite good:

http://uk.aldi.com/uk/html/offers/58_8207.htm

[Steve]

That's definitely a MSI wind derivative, SP3 already installed,very useful forum and wiki here

[Rik]

Which would you go for, Steve, the Samsung or the MSI?

[Steve]

I have an Advent 4211 and my only real complaint is the 3 cell battery life which is probably less than 2 hours so I'd go for the 6 cell battery which in this case its the Samsung I believe. They are easy to modify in terms of adding additional memory, changing the wifi card to run Ubuntu easily and upgrading the hard disk, apparently the WD 320Gb passport drive works well.

You can buy 6 cell and 9 cell batteries but they are not that cheap.

[Rik]

Thanks, Steve, I'll keep my eyes open then. These days, I only really need a notebook when we travel and then only to surf and upload photos, so a smaller machine would make a lot of sense.

[Lance]

I can take your Acer of your hands Rik, just to help you clear a little space and that. I won't even charge you for the help!

[Rik]

Thanks, Lance. I'll let you know.

[Sebby]

If I were you Rik, I'd take an XP Home/Pro OEM disc (depending on what came preinstalled on your laptop) and use nLite to extract it and slipstream SP3. Copy and replace the following files from the I386 directory on your laptop (probably in the Windows directory, or root of the C: drive) to the I386 directory on the extracted CD:

OEMBIOS.BI_
OEMBIOS.CA_
OEMBIOS.DA_
OEMBIOS.SI_
OEMCOA.JP_
OEMIG50.EX_
OEMIGLIB.DL_
OEMLOGO.GI_
PIDGEN.DLL
SETUPP.INI

Now burn it. You have a clean Windows disc with no Acer rubbish that'll install using the license key on the bottom of your laptop.

[kinmel]

Excellent advice Sebby 

[Sebby]

[Steve]

Long thread here

[Inactive]

You're right there, Steve, particularly with notebooks in my experience. I think I'll just buy a netbook and dump the Acer. Hey, Christmas is coming.

Any excuse will do.. 

[Rik]

If I were you Rik, I'd take an XP Home/Pro OEM disc (depending on what came preinstalled on your laptop) and use nLite to extract it and slipstream SP3. Copy and replace the following files from the I386 directory on your laptop (probably in the Windows directory, or root of the C: drive) to the I386 directory on the extracted CD:

OEMBIOS.BI_
OEMBIOS.CA_
OEMBIOS.DA_
OEMBIOS.SI_
OEMCOA.JP_
OEMIG50.EX_
OEMIGLIB.DL_
OEMLOGO.GI_
PIDGEN.DLL
SETUPP.INI

Now burn it. You have a clean Windows disc with no Acer rubbish that'll install using the license key on the bottom of your laptop.

Slight snag there, Seb, I think, in that Acer only supply a restore disk, and the laptop is the only machine using Home, the others are Pro...

[Rik]

Any excuse will do.. 

Always, In.

[Rik]

Long thread here

Thanks, Steve.

[Steve]

Thanks Rik , Some poeple have had success with a program called dial-a-fix for resetting registry permissions (cant access links at work)

[Rik]

I'll have a hunt - once I've patched the other machines.

[Sebby]

Slight snag there, Seb, I think, in that Acer only supply a restore disk, and the laptop is the only machine using Home, the others are Pro...

That's the point; you only get a restore disc, so you're forced to do a restore and install SP3 separately - what's to say it won't fail again? You need to get hold of a clean XP disc (any one will do) and modify it as described. It then becomes an Acer OEM disc without the rubbish, and it means that SP3 can be slipstreamed.

[Rik]

So it's OK to use a Pro disk, or I need to find a Home one?

[Sebby]

It needs to be the same as whatever comes with the laptop. I take it that's Home?

[Rik]

Indeed - no choice otherwise I would have stuck with Pro for consistency.