Re: XP-Pro: Unable to upgrade to SP3

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Hi! Stanley

Thanks for your effort.

When I installed the Subinacl.exe, (under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377), I was blocked by the Windows
Installer error and can't proceed any further. I can't excecute
Superantispyware too.

I must admit I am not that computer savvy. I am quite prepare to reformat
the PC.

Thanks again.


Lee
-----------------------------------------------------------

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

Quoted for completeness - answer does lie at the bottom...

LeeCC wrote:
My notebook's OS is XP-Pro. During the Windows Update to SP3, I
always get an error message saying unable to do so (failed
installation after downloading the necessary files), and hence
rolled back to SP2.

Anyone has a solution to this? Or can I just leave it as SP2? (but
seems no further updates coming in with SP2).


<OP responded to self>

<complete record of conversation archived indefinitely here>
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/567bc54217354295
</complete record of conversation archived indefinitely here>


LeeCC wrote:
Thanks for all the helpful info.

I managed to install SP3 by doing the followings:

1. Remove the partial installed (but failed) SP3 from Add/Remove
Software in CP.
2. After the removal, IE starts working again.
3. Download the stand alone version of SP3.
4. Pause the AntiVirus (Avast!)
5. Reinstall SP3 successfully, so to speak (pls read below).

But two problems remaining, not sure they are related to SP3:
a. Windows Automatic Update screen in CP, both Green and Red
buttons greyed out, so I guess there is no "auto" update. I have to
do it manually.

b. When I try to install Windows Defender (under Genuine MS
Software), I got an error message: "The Windows Installer Service
could not be accessed..... Windows installer is not correctly
installed".

It seems there is no end to my problems!! Sorry for all these
troubles.

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
Assuming you're replying to me, please reply to my posts, not
yours, Lee.

See Shenan's reply. Here's my version:

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a
hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the
subscription had expired *when the machine first got infected*
and/or your subscription has since expired and/or the machine's not
been kept fully-patched at Windows Update, don't waste your time
with any of the below: Format & reinstall Windows. A Repair
Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to
download the MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE
to the infected machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's
'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the
requested logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as
well.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in
admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local,
reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer
repair shop.

=====================
Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling
1-866-PCSAFETY in the United States and in Canada or by contacting
your local Microsoft subsidiary. There is no-charge for support
calls that are associated with security updates.

LeeCC wrote:
Sorry. My intention is to reply to all the parties that have given
valuable advice, including yourself.

I am now trying to reinstall the WindowsInstaller with the
instructions in the following article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315346

After renaming the files to *.old, and install the "new"
WinInstaller from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893803.
Unfortunately, it was not successful. The error said I had a newer
SP (SP3?), and don't need KB893803.

Is there a newer WinInstaller than that given in KB893803?


Please see my response and follow everything listed excluding the actual
installation of SP3 - since you seemingly have that now installed. If - for
whatever reason - you missed the response - here it is again - edited to
reflect what you do not seemingly need anymore (SP3 installation.) You will
find a newer version of the Windows Installer and the Windows Update agent
will get installed -but you should not skip around and just do the steps as
you see fit - they are presented in an order - best you follow that order
and actually repair your machine. ;-)

Fix your file/registry permissions...

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time

Reboot and ...

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time, will take a reboot.

Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)

Reboot for good measure...

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones fornow. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to install
Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Come back - let us know if that worked.
.... Really - come back and let everyone know if that worked.

You may want to run a second scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes
after everything is updated.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html



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