Anyone had an XP SP3 upgrade fail?

[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