SP3 will not install on my pc!!

[Irene]

I have tried three times!

Each time it says "Access Denied".

As far as I know, I have closed down everything known to man (and this woman!).

How can I find out what it is preventing the installation?

The system tray doesn't always show what is active. I've even tried unchecking the 'hide when inactive', but that doesn't make any difference.

HELP! I can't do it.

[-pops-]

Are you running from an Administrator account when you try to install, Irene?

Have you done a thorough malware scan - and most important - a backup?

Also, I've read that it is possible to install from Safe Mode. Perhaps that's the way for you.

Whatever, though, you are not the only one having problems. There are almost certainly gazillions of others unable to do it either.

[Irene]

Are you running from an Administrator account when you try to install, Irene?

..... Yes

Have you done a thorough malware scan - and most important - a backup?

..... Yes to both

Also, I've read that it is possible to install from Safe Mode. Perhaps that's the way for you.

.... I'll try that next.

Thanks for the fast response -pops-

[Scarecrow Man]

Check your event log and see if there is any alarming issues around the time the installation failed.

[Alan2273]

If you feel adventurous Irene you could try this, but back up the registry first.

1. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

2. In right-side pane look for a String value “CurrentType“. Change its value to Checked and if its already set to Checked, then set it to Free and click on OK.

3. Exit registry editor and try to install SP3 again. Now it should install without any problem.

[Irene]

If you feel adventurous Irene you could try this, but back up the registry first.

1. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

2. In right-side pane look for a String value “CurrentType“. Change its value to Checked and if its already set to Checked, then set it to Free and click on OK.

3. Exit registry editor and try to install SP3 again. Now it should install without any problem.

Thanks, Alan.

How do I open regedit?

Do I still need to remove firewall etc, etc, for the download & installation?

P.S. I have just backed up the registry with ERUNT.

[Boris]

I have tried three times!

Each time it says "Access Denied".

Snap - exactly the same problem for me :)

But I've now tried 5 times in various different ways :(

[Boris]

Thanks, Alan.

1. How do I open regedit?

2. Do I still need to remove firewall etc, etc, for the download & installation?

P.S. I have just backed up the registry with ERUNT.

Re. 1.

Start

Run

regedit

OK

Re. 2 - not recommended

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

You don't have to remove the firewall, but disable it during the installation.

How do you attempt the install, via AutoUpdate, Microsoft Update, or the full download?

See also http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

If still no good, then this should solve it http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

[Irene]

You don't have to remove the firewall, but disable it during the installation.

How do you attempt the install, via AutoUpdate, Microsoft Update, or the full download?

See also http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

If still no good, then this should solve it http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

After 7 unsuccessful attempts yesterday, using all suggestions I could find, I finally used Acronis to restore the C drive to its' original state - I was so confused I couldn't remember everything I had done! :0

However, the restore was successful, so I am begining today with a 'clean' slate.

During the next attempt, I will disable the Comodo firewall, Webroot Spy Sweeper, Spyware Blaster and AVG 8.0 - I believe that is all of my active protection. Also, before I begin I will run Spybot Search & Destroy - after checking for updates.

BTW, I have problems disabling AVG 8.0. There is no icon showing in the system tray. Does anyone using version 8.0 have any suggestions to ensure that it is completely disabled?

Pat, which of the download sources would you advise?

I must admit that I am uncertain about the difference between Microsoft Update and full download.

I'll first use the methods described in KB950718 in the order which they appear.

If still not successful, I'll go on to KB949377.

If that all fails, I'll give up computers altogether! :(

[andsome]

I did as suggested regarding scans, and also defragged. It downloaded and installed perfectly without disabling anything at all. Everything is running fine, and although it may of course be my imagination, the computer seems faster. There must be something else wrong. Hope you sort it. :D

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I don't have AVG 8.0, so I can't help you with disabling it. If it can't be disabled, leave it as it is.

Microsoft Update is what was earlier called WindowsUpdate -> http://www.update.microsoft.com/

The full download can be obtained here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...08-1e1555d4f3d4 - this download (for offline installation) is very much larger than what is downloaded by Microsoft Update, so don't use this if you don't have a very fast connection.

[Irene]

Thanks, Pat.

I'll give it a 'whirl' later this morning, when I get back from town.

BTW: I just did a Check Disc on the C drive - All clean.

[Alan2273]

To disable AVG, "open the Control Center, double click the Resident Shield and remove the checkmarks next to the option labeled "Turn on AVG Resident Shield protection". Don't forget to re-activate it when you are done

[catgate]

You are by no means on your own, Irene.

Have a look here ;-

http://www.internetnews.com/software/artic...+for+Others.htm

[Irene]

This is my second restore by Acronis to May 7th.

As far as I am concerned, Microsoft can shove SP3 as far up their jacksie as they can get it!!

I have used at least a ream of paper, printing out 'so called' solutions, and KB's enough to paper the interior of every house within a mile.

The final 'solution', to "Reset the registry and the file permissions" is a load of twaddle.

-pops-, thank goodness for my Acronis backup.

All I can say is, that if you have managed to download and install this nonsense, just wait for the problems to materialise.

As sure as eggs is eggs, they will.

[Boris]

Irene,

I am still in the same position as you - just totally frustrating isn't it

[-pops-]

I'm in the position of installing it OK on one machine with the others telling me there are no updates available.

[andsome]

Still no problems here. The computer is running sweetly. I wonder if SP3 is incompatible with software on some peoples machines. :D

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

The final 'solution', to "Reset the registry and the file permissions" is a load of twaddle.

I am having difficulties to interpret this sentence; does it mean it didn't work, or is t too complicated?

I have created that Reset.cmd file for you and attached as a ZIP file, so you can try it again. Let us know how we can help you more - we want you to have and enjoy SP3...

reset.zip

[Irene]

Irene,

I am still in the same position as you - just totally frustrating isn't it

Frustrating is an understatement!

Boris, I have a suspicion that Webroot Spy Sweeper may have something to do with it. After one or two of the failed attempts, when Windows wants to reboot, there has been a message that Spy Sweeper is closing down.... I thought that it was shut down/disabled.

Do you by any chance use Spy Sweeper?

It may well be red herring. I just can't think what else to do. I have spent literally hours and hours on this. I can't remember if I've done it 8 or 9 times now, using different approaches. :(

I think the only avenue open to me now is to contact Microsoft and ask them.

[Irene]

The final 'solution', to "Reset the registry and the file permissions" is a load of twaddle.

I am having difficulties to interpret this sentence; does it mean it didn't work, or is t too complicated?

I have created that Reset.cmd file for you and attached as a ZIP file, so you can try it again. Let us know how we can help you more - we want you to have and enjoy SP3...

Sorry for my angry retort last night.

Pat, my word "twaddle" was saying that it just didn't work (for me).

The definition in the Oxford Mini Dictionary is "nonsense".

It was my angry frustration speaking.

Thank you for the link, but I did manage to create and run it yesterday.

Please keep any suggestions coming.

[Boris]

Boris, I have a suspicion that Webroot Spy Sweeper may have something to do with it. After one or two of the failed attempts, when Windows wants to reboot, there has been a message that Spy Sweeper is closing down.... I thought that it was shut down/disabled.

Do you by any chance use Spy Sweeper?

It may well be red herring. I just can't think what else to do. I have spent literally hours and hours on this. I can't remember if I've done it 8 or 9 times now, using different approaches. :(

I think the only avenue open to me now is to contact Microsoft and ask them.

Irene, you may be on to something here ??? :)

I do indeed !

- mine is not set to automatically run at Windows start-up but even so I note there is an automatically started service

(the Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine) run from C:\PROGRAM FILES\WEBROOT\SPY SWEEPER\SPYSWEEPER.EXE running all the time.

If you try to manually disable this process - access is denied !

This needs further investigation - but I am currently in the middle of painting a dozen doors ........... so it will have to wait until this evening :)

[Irene]

Boris, if you find a solution to this, you will be my hero. :D

On a positive note, if Spy Sweeper is the 'root' cause, then it must be doing a good job. :lol:

[rong]

Mine was ok today, the only thing I wasn't happy about so far was it put an IE short cut on my task bar