Re: SP4 won't install because of dbghelp.dll

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From: Torgeir Bakken (MVP) (Torgeir.Bakken-spam_at_hydro.com)
Date: 02/29/04 

Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 23:10:02 +0100

Rob wrote:

> anytime I try to install SP4 on my Win2k system, I get a
> message that says
>
> The file c:\winnt\system32\dbghelp.dll is open or in use
> by another application. Close all other applications and
> then click Retry.
>
> Now, I get this same message in Safe Mode when I try to
> install. I ctrl-alt-del and don't see this listed as an
> open process. I have searched the Windows knowledge base
> on dbghelp and I don't find it anywhere.
>
> It is truly annoying, does anyone have ANY idea about this?

Hi

The permission/rights on the file/folder can be corrupt, missing or revoked.
Verify that e.g. Administrator and SYSTEM have full control over the
file.

Several other people have had this problem for Win2k SP3 upgrades as well as
WinXP SP1 , on other files, with the same error message. After they fixed the
access rights, the service pack install succeeded:

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=eys33rPWCHA.2136%40tkmsftngp08
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3ba901c27e89%247fce6fd0%2435ef2ecf%40TKMSFTNGXA11

In a command prompt (run e.g. cmd.exe from Start/Run to open one):

Run the following command:

   cacls.exe %windir%\system32\dbghelp.dll

Here is the output from my Win2k Pro computer:

C:\>cacls.exe %windir%\system32\dbghelp.dll
C:\WINNT\system32\dbghelp.dll BUILTIN\Users:R
                              BUILTIN\Power Users:R
                              BUILTIN\Administrators:F
                              NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:F
                              Everyone:R

If you get an error saying "Data error (cyclic redundancy check)",
the hard disk most likely has a fault (e.g. some bad sectors). 

--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter

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