drvmain.sdb and SP2 Problem

I've been trying to install SP2 for a while now but
always run into the same problem. I'm currently running
WinXP SP1 but when I try installing SP2 (tried with both
AU and WU), I always get an error saying something like:

Cannot copy drvmain.sdb. The file may be open or in use.

This occurs after the install program has finished
creating a restore point and has begun updating the
files. I'm not sure why this happens. As far as I can
tell, it's the install program itself that accesses that
file and prevents itself from doing anything. Yet, if I
try to remove drvmain.sdb before running the install. It
won't work either since it requires drvmain.sdb to work.
I've also read up on drvmain.sdb. Apparently, other files
work with it. I'm afraid that even if I figure out what
to do with drvmain.sdb, I'm going to have trouble with
the other files. The folder it uses is WINDOWS\AppPath.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I have the same problem. I cannot install SP2 on my computer. Tried via
windows update and tried via full IT redis download (272 MB, file ver:
5.5.1005.0 (SRV03_QFE.031113-0918))

I am at a loss.

Here is the full error message:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Pack 2 Setup Error
The file c:\windows\apppatch\drvmain.sdb is open or in use by another
application.

Close all other applications and then click Retry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

XP Home Service Pack 1
Dell Dimension 8200
P4 2.26 MHz 533 FSB
512 MB (256 x 2) RD RAM (Rambus)

In the little digging on the web, i found this:

> The file you refer to (drvmain.sdb) is a database that contains compatibility
> problems with certain devices in Win2003. In setup, Win2003 tries to circumvent
> these problems with some substitutions. It is not always correct. Somewhere on
> your CD should be a collection of .sdb files that contain incompatibility problems.
> Viewing these might give you a clue.

I noticed that currently, I have a c:\WINDOWS\AppPatch\drvmain.sdb file in
existance. If i delete the file, it reappears some seconds later.

Size: 8.31 KB (8,514 bytes)
Size on Disk: 8.50 KB (8,704 bytes)
Created: Tuesday, February 17, 2004, 12:49:24 PM
Modified: Thursday, August 29, 2002, 4:47:40 AM
...

If I load my XP Restore cd and open the /I386/ folder, there is a
DRVMAIN.SDB with:
Size: 7.91 KB (8,104 bytes)
Size on disk: 8.00 KB (8,192 bytes)
Created: Saturday, August 18, 2001, 5:00:00 AM
Modified: Saturday, August 18, 2001, 5:00:00 AM
...

If i replace the current file with the one from my restore cd, again a few
seconds later it just disappears and the 9k one appears in it's place.

Any help would be appreciated.

-=Zeus=- wrote:

> I have the same problem. I cannot install SP2 on my computer. Tried via
> windows update and tried via full IT redis download (272 MB, file ver:
> 5.5.1005.0 (SRV03_QFE.031113-0918))
>
> I am at a loss.
>
> Here is the full error message:
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Service Pack 2 Setup Error
> The file c:\windows\apppatch\drvmain.sdb is open or in use by another
> application.
>
> Close all other applications and then click Retry.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi

I suggest you install SP2 in SAFE MODE (press F8 repeatedly early in
the Windows startup process).

Note this one if you get it to install in Safe mode:

How to Install Service Packs and Hotfixes When Windows Is Running
in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=818460

"Important If you do install a service pack or update while Windows
is running in Safe mode, immediately reinstall it after you start
Windows normally."



Also, you should clean out this folder (WU5's temporary download
folder) to get rid of the SP2 temporary installation files from
your previous installation (if installed from Windows Update):

%windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\

(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)


--
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/scr...r/default.mspx