Failure to install SP2 for XP Home Edition system32\cmd.exe is op

Our family laptop has only recently been used for internet access. Windows
update notified me that I needed the XP2 service pack. It will download but
it will not install.
The error message is "C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe is open or in use by
another application. Close all other applications and retry"

I think I have no other applications open, what can I do?

I have been able to download and install all the SP1 updates and all other
updates but it just keeps getting stuck on SP2.

Most grateful for any help with this.
Thanks Adam

I've just been helping someone in Aumha Forums who has a similar problem
(C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe running mysteriously.) It's being caused by a
very new hijackware variant.

1. Uninstall SP2 (if found) via Add/Remove Programs and reboot.

2. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
log to an appropriate forum.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.net/downloads/hijackthis.zip)
is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

3. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
of health.

Also see:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/s...hattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default...xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org


adamstaveley wrote:
> Our family laptop has only recently been used for internet access. Windows
> update notified me that I needed the XP2 service pack. It will download
> but it will not install.
> The error message is "C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe is open or in use by
> another application. Close all other applications and retry"
>
> I think I have no other applications open, what can I do?
>
> I have been able to download and install all the SP1 updates and all other
> updates but it just keeps getting stuck on SP2.
>
> Most grateful for any help with this.
> Thanks Adam

Thanks for the time you took to answer this. I will now try all that you have
suggested and let you know the result.

Adam

"PA Bear" wrote:

> I've just been helping someone in Aumha Forums who has a similar problem
> (C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe running mysteriously.) It's being caused by a
> very new hijackware variant.
>
> 1. Uninstall SP2 (if found) via Add/Remove Programs and reboot.
>
> 2. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
> log to an appropriate forum.
>
> Check for Hijackware
> http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
> http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
> http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
> http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
>
> When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.net/downloads/hijackthis.zip)
> is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
> any hijackware/spyware.
>
> **Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
> http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
> other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**
>
> 3. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
> of health.
>
> Also see:
>
> What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/s...hattoknow.mspx
>
> Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto
>
> Troubleshooting Your Installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot
>
> WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...xpsp2installed
>
> Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm
>
> WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
>
> The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org
>
>
> adamstaveley wrote:
> > Our family laptop has only recently been used for internet access. Windows
> > update notified me that I needed the XP2 service pack. It will download
> > but it will not install.
> > The error message is "C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe is open or in use by
> > another application. Close all other applications and retry"
> >
> > I think I have no other applications open, what can I do?
> >
> > I have been able to download and install all the SP1 updates and all other
> > updates but it just keeps getting stuck on SP2.
> >
> > Most grateful for any help with this.
> > Thanks Adam
>
>