Windows Service Pack 2 installation error
 

I just reformated my computer, so now I'm getting all these automatic updates from windows one of them being the service pack 2 which I want to install. When I go to install it I get a entountered an error message and the installation closes. I tried rebooting my computer to check if that fixes this problem and that doesn't help either.

I don't know if this is some sort of a driver problem, because the night before it I installed some drivers from sony which I forget what they were...but anyways is there a way of fixing this problem without having me to reformat again because I just did it yesterday and dont feel like doing it again.

Need exact details of the error. It could be 1 of 1000 problems if we do not know what the error is saying.

Here's a screenshot of the error.

Hum, are you running any anti-virus or software firewall programs? If so, try shutting them down before running the update program.

A second option is to try and run the XP SP2 setup in safemode.

I dont have any on...or even installed.

Double Post:
How do I do it in safemode? I've never tried anything in safemode.

Mash F8 as the computer starts up, and then select "safe mode" from the list that pops up. You might have to choose "Safe Mode with Networking," but considering you have no firewall/antivirus installed, I wouldn't recommend it.

As for actually installing it, it'll be just like Windows in regular mode... only fugly.

but i think you can't install SP2 update on safe mode.try to disable show error.

start->settings->Control Panel->system->advanced->error reporting->Disable error repoting

Well I dont get any option as "safe mode with networking" (I got xp btw). Also I did that error report disable thing and that doesn't help it either. I even reformatted my computer again and I get the same problem.

Start -> Run -> MSCONFIG

Boot.ini tab -> Boot Options -> /safeboot; network.

Then try it.

i had the same problem. This is kind of a long shot, but to fix mine i had to download the full SP2 onto the pc, and start safe mode with NO networking. Then install it from there. Search around microsofts download page for the SP2. Let me know if that works.

The best way would be to slipstream SP2 into a custom XP installation CD. The process involves some advanced software knowledge, but such a (bootable) disc will most probably install just fine and save you the trouble of going through the whole SP2 patching process.

You'll still need to install the latest security updates from WindowsUpdate, though.

That aside, I reckon the error message you're receiving is due to a hardware/software conflict. SP2 installs a lot of new drivers which might interfere with your previously installed ones, so again - slipstreaming is definitely the most stable, safest and cleanest solution.

Seconding Rock's suggestion.

To make things easier, I recommend you just download one of those slipstreamed Windows XP images off Bittorrent. You could always use your current key :D

Thx for the info Rock, I havn't tried it yet. I'm gonna try it as soon as I find a proper bug free windows xp home edition torrent.

If you're gonna pirate windows, then go all the way and pirate Pro. Don't be a pussy and half-ass it by downloading the shitty Home version.

Well it's because if I got home I would use the serial number of mine for it. Unless if I use a fake one and install pro and during any update it doesnt detect I have a fake one, then I'll install pro instead, but if it some how detects it's pirated w/e then I wont. So does it even detect something like that?

Double Post:
Btw does any one know why I'm having so many problems? Like quicktime and winamp stops working and wont even install cause it encounters errors etc. and other softwares too. I always used to reformat and that used to solve all my problems, but now all it does it create more problems for me. Can it be that something has gone wrong with my recovery disk? Or is it that something might have gone wrong with my computer that can't be fixed with re-installing an OS and that it needs to be repaired?

Double Post:
Blah I downloaded windows xp home edition, burned it on a cd, I'm doing that what site said about slipstreaming sp2 in it, when it's extracting files (after I press enter in command prompt) I get a "File is corrupt" error.

So I'm guessing the version I downloaded is screwed, is there a torrent or something of it thats not corrupt?

YAYZ I fixed the problem. I reformated again and you know how you get those shit loads of windows updates for service pack 1? Well I didn't install them, instead I installed service pack 2 right away, and now it works fine.