Installation of XP SP3 stalled after dowload

After numerous failed attempts, I finally got Windows XP SP2 installed and
got SP3 dowloaded via the microsoft update website (Tried to download
directly the service pack 3 as suggested elsewhere, but every time said file
corrupt when trying to extract). Antivirus and spyware were run, then those
and firewall were all disabled prior to visiting windows update. However, the
installation of sp3 stalled after the "initializing installation" step. the
progress bar at the bottom of the installation window has 3 green bars in it,
and says installing: - but it has been at this same stage for nearly 2 hours
now. It does not seem as if the system is completely frozen like has happened
in the past, since I am able to move the cursor. What can i do to complete
the intallation?

Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years ago?

SP3 was released in Mar-08: Why wasn't SP3 installed a year ago?

Did you just do a Repair Install? If so, what problems were you having that
you thought a Repair Install might resolve?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


KEL2Hall wrote:
> After numerous failed attempts, I finally got Windows XP SP2 installed and
> got SP3 dowloaded via the microsoft update website (Tried to download
> directly the service pack 3 as suggested elsewhere, but every time said
> file
> corrupt when trying to extract). Antivirus and spyware were run, then
> those
> and firewall were all disabled prior to visiting windows update. However,
> the installation of sp3 stalled after the "initializing installation"
> step.
> the progress bar at the bottom of the installation window has 3 green bars
> in it, and says installing: - but it has been at this same stage for
> nearly
> 2 hours now. It does not seem as if the system is completely frozen like
> has happened in the past, since I am able to move the cursor. What can i
> do to complete the intallation?

In news: "PA Bear [MS MVP]"
<> wrote:

> Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years
> ago?

Probably because the only installation media he has is either for the
initial release of XP, or one with SP1.

> SP3 was released in Mar-08: Why wasn't SP3 installed a year ago?

Probably because the only installation media he has is either for the
initial release of XP, or one with SP1.

> Did you just do a Repair Install? If so, what problems were you
> having that you thought a Repair Install might resolve?

I'm curious why you feel it's necessary to second-guess the poster,
while not even bothering to address his concerns.

Also, what kind of screwed up news client are you using that puts the
OP's message after your sig?

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN

Were you using IE7 when you were downloading the big fat file? If so
then the downloaded file must have been corrupted. IE7 is not handling
downloads properly (you can google for the problems of IE7). I suggest
use Mozilla (Firefox) to download the big fat file and then try
installing from it. Please don't use Safari because it is using IE
technology and not its own! I have tested this and making changes in
IE7 is also reflected in Safari so in my opinion it is a complete crap
product.

Just for interest sake, can you check the size of the file which you
have downloaded. Is it 324,030 kb. If it isn't then clearly the file
is corrupted.

hth


KEL2Hall wrote:

>After numerous failed attempts, I finally got Windows XP SP2 installed and
>got SP3 dowloaded via the microsoft update website (Tried to download
>directly the service pack 3 as suggested elsewhere, but every time said file
>corrupt when trying to extract). Antivirus and spyware were run, then those
>and firewall were all disabled prior to visiting windows update. However, the
>installation of sp3 stalled after the "initializing installation" step. the
>progress bar at the bottom of the installation window has 3 green bars in it,
>and says installing: - but it has been at this same stage for nearly 2 hours
>now. It does not seem as if the system is completely frozen like has happened
>in the past, since I am able to move the cursor. What can i do to complete
>the intallation?
>
>

Uh, do you have a dog in this fight, Bert?...

Bert Hyman wrote:
>> Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years
>> ago?
>
> Probably because the only installation media he has is either for the
> initial release of XP, or one with SP1.

Bert,

Pig-Bear is in a very serious stage of dementia because of his age - he
is 78 and still going strong -

People have just given up on him because you can't teach old dogs new
tricks!

Have a nice time.


Bert Hyman wrote:

>In news: "PA Bear [MS MVP]"
><> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years
>>ago?
>>
>>
>
>Probably because the only installation media he has is either for the
>initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>
>
>
>>SP3 was released in Mar-08: Why wasn't SP3 installed a year ago?
>>
>>
>
>Probably because the only installation media he has is either for the
>initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>
>
>
>>Did you just do a Repair Install? If so, what problems were you
>>having that you thought a Repair Install might resolve?
>>
>>
>
>I'm curious why you feel it's necessary to second-guess the poster,
>while not even bothering to address his concerns.
>
>Also, what kind of screwed up news client are you using that puts the
>OP's message after your sig?
>
>
>

KEL2Hall wrote:
> After numerous failed attempts, I finally got Windows XP SP2
> installed and got SP3 dowloaded via the microsoft update website
> (Tried to download directly the service pack 3 as suggested
> elsewhere, but every time said file corrupt when trying to
> extract). Antivirus and spyware were run, then those and firewall
> were all disabled prior to visiting windows update. However, the
> installation of sp3 stalled after the "initializing installation"
> step. the progress bar at the bottom of the installation window has
> 3 green bars in it, and says installing: - but it has been at this
> same stage for nearly 2 hours now. It does not seem as if the
> system is completely frozen like has happened in the past, since I
> am able to move the cursor. What can i do to complete the
> intallation?


I would suggest following the advice I am about to give in order and no
matter what you think you have done in the past in terms of cleanup/etc.
This path - if followed as given - is pretty likely to get SP3 installed...

First - before anything else - answer this:

Do you have an HP branded computer with an AMD processor?
(If so - answer and wait. If not, answer and continue witht he steps.)

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
(** Ignore the last step - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.)

Reboot and ...

Download/install this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN --> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

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/ma...e/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/d...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.

Now for SP3...

1) Download the full SP3 installation file.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...8-1E1555D4F3D4

You are just saving it right now - not running it yet.

2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by doing a full
scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes. If you are following
along, you have already done this!

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

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

5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.) Never get hardware drivers
for hardware that was not created/sold by Microsoft from Microsoft.

6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

8) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the taskbar gives you
a choice to do so.

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable. Reboot when requested to
do so. Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes. Reboot.
Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.

After that - there will be more updates.

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 for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to install
Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a single
step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now - go through
until the end, until you have done everything given in the order given. If
you have a problem with a step come ask and let someone here get you
through that step. If you don't understand how to do a step, come back and
ask here about that step and let someone walk you through it.

Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or if you
have more issues.

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

In news:# "PA Bear [MS MVP]"
<> wrote:

> Uh, do you have a dog in this fight, Bert?...

Do you?

Like I said, why do you feel the need to second guess the poster when
you have nothing to offer?

> Bert Hyman wrote:
>>> Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years
>>> ago?
>>
>> Probably because the only installation media he has is either for the
>> initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>



--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN

KEL2Hall wrote:
> After numerous failed attempts, I finally got Windows XP SP2
> installed and got SP3 dowloaded via the microsoft update website
> (Tried to download directly the service pack 3 as suggested
> elsewhere, but every time said file corrupt when trying to
> extract). Antivirus and spyware were run, then those and firewall
> were all disabled prior to visiting windows update. However, the
> installation of sp3 stalled after the "initializing installation"
> step. the progress bar at the bottom of the installation window has
> 3 green bars in it, and says installing: - but it has been at this
> same stage for nearly 2 hours now. It does not seem as if the
> system is completely frozen like has happened in the past, since I
> am able to move the cursor. What can i do to complete the
> intallation?

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
> Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years
> ago?
>
> SP3 was released in Mar-08: Why wasn't SP3 installed a year ago?
>
> Did you just do a Repair Install? If so, what problems were you
> having that you thought a Repair Install might resolve?

Bert Hyman wrote:
> Probably because the only installation media he has is either for
> the initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>
> Probably because the only installation media he has is either for
> the initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>
> I'm curious why you feel it's necessary to second-guess the poster,
> while not even bothering to address his concerns.
>
> Also, what kind of screwed up news client are you using that puts
> the OP's message after your sig?

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
> Uh, do you have a dog in this fight, Bert?...

Bert Hyman wrote:
> Do you?
>
> Like I said, why do you feel the need to second guess the poster
> when you have nothing to offer?

I've offered assistance elsewhere in this conversation, but it is blind
assistance given it is an unknown how the OP got in the position they seem
to now be in.

Entire thread - archived indefinitely:
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...cbb0fe30b357eb

I would say finding out how they came to be in the position they are in now
might assist one in giving long-lasting pertinent advice... You might
believe otherwise - but I see no harm in asking.

Here we are with a total of 8 (9 including this one) posts in this
conversation and only one is from the OP. They have not returned to answer
any queries, to say they will try this or that or to say they have tried
this or that or thank you or even 'that's of no help, please be quiet.' We
are still in the dark about what the OP is seeing, doing, done.

Example of information that may help direct any answers if the OP returns
and wished to provide said information:

- Did they perform a repair installation? If so, what SP level was the
media they used?

- Did they perform a clean or parallel installation with media that had no
SPs, SP1 or SP1a integrated?

If either of the above:

- What was initially wrong with the system (if anything) that prompted this
repair installation and/or clean or parallel installation attempt?

- Was this a new (to them) machine and they were performing their own
installation with media so they would know what was on it?

- Have they installed the latest hardware drivers - particularly the
motherboard chipset, video device and network device drivers from the actual
hardware manufacturer's web sites?

Other possibly pertinent bits of information:

- It was said, "Antivirus and spyware were run", but which ones and why? If
it was on the advice of others, could they direct us to the posting they
found this advice in?

- Was the problem that prompted the possible re-install/repair installation
similar to what they are seeing now - as the OP did state, "It does not seem
as if the system is completely frozen like has happened in the past, since I
am able to move the cursor." <-- which could be indicative of a hardware
related issue that the OP mis-diagnosed or was diagnosing by trying a new
installation.

Essentially - a lot of things would have to be assumed - some based off
wording, some that could go any one of many ways. Why guess? Everyone
(just about) here that answers questions does so with their free time
because they want to help - although there are a few that help sometimes but
antagonize more often than not - and for no reason or helpful intentions at
all behind it. *shrug*

In this case I see someone asking reasonable questions, maybe in a more
caustic manner than some would like, but pertinent is still pertinent no
matter how it is phrased. Then I see someone else questioning how the
responder (question asker) asked the questions *and* answering for someone
they likely do not even know *and* not asking anything to further help the
original poster (OP) or providing any input at all to assist in resolving
the OP's query.

Almost ironic, hope the loop stops here in this case.

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

@Shenan: Is it time to switch to decaf? <wink>

Shenan Stanley wrote:
> KEL2Hall wrote:
>> After numerous failed attempts, I finally got Windows XP SP2
>> installed and got SP3 dowloaded via the microsoft update website
>> (Tried to download directly the service pack 3 as suggested
>> elsewhere, but every time said file corrupt when trying to
>> extract). Antivirus and spyware were run, then those and firewall
>> were all disabled prior to visiting windows update. However, the
>> installation of sp3 stalled after the "initializing installation"
>> step. the progress bar at the bottom of the installation window has
>> 3 green bars in it, and says installing: - but it has been at this
>> same stage for nearly 2 hours now. It does not seem as if the
>> system is completely frozen like has happened in the past, since I
>> am able to move the cursor. What can i do to complete the
>> intallation?
>
> PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
>> Back up: SP2 was released in Aug-04: Why wasn't SP2 installed years
>> ago?
>>
>> SP3 was released in Mar-08: Why wasn't SP3 installed a year ago?
>>
>> Did you just do a Repair Install? If so, what problems were you
>> having that you thought a Repair Install might resolve?
>
> Bert Hyman wrote:
>> Probably because the only installation media he has is either for
>> the initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>>
>> Probably because the only installation media he has is either for
>> the initial release of XP, or one with SP1.
>>
>> I'm curious why you feel it's necessary to second-guess the poster,
>> while not even bothering to address his concerns.
>>
>> Also, what kind of screwed up news client are you using that puts
>> the OP's message after your sig?
>
> PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
>> Uh, do you have a dog in this fight, Bert?...
>
> Bert Hyman wrote:
>> Do you?
>>
>> Like I said, why do you feel the need to second guess the poster
>> when you have nothing to offer?
>
> I've offered assistance elsewhere in this conversation, but it is blind
> assistance given it is an unknown how the OP got in the position they seem
> to now be in.
>
> Entire thread - archived indefinitely:
> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...cbb0fe30b357eb
>
> I would say finding out how they came to be in the position they are in
> now
> might assist one in giving long-lasting pertinent advice... You might
> believe otherwise - but I see no harm in asking.
>
> Here we are with a total of 8 (9 including this one) posts in this
> conversation and only one is from the OP. They have not returned to
> answer
> any queries, to say they will try this or that or to say they have tried
> this or that or thank you or even 'that's of no help, please be quiet.'
> We
> are still in the dark about what the OP is seeing, doing, done.
>
> Example of information that may help direct any answers if the OP returns
> and wished to provide said information:
>
> - Did they perform a repair installation? If so, what SP level was the
> media they used?
>
> - Did they perform a clean or parallel installation with media that had no
> SPs, SP1 or SP1a integrated?
>
> If either of the above:
>
> - What was initially wrong with the system (if anything) that prompted
> this
> repair installation and/or clean or parallel installation attempt?
>
> - Was this a new (to them) machine and they were performing their own
> installation with media so they would know what was on it?
>
> - Have they installed the latest hardware drivers - particularly the
> motherboard chipset, video device and network device drivers from the
> actual
> hardware manufacturer's web sites?
>
> Other possibly pertinent bits of information:
>
> - It was said, "Antivirus and spyware were run", but which ones and why?
> If
> it was on the advice of others, could they direct us to the posting they
> found this advice in?
>
> - Was the problem that prompted the possible re-install/repair
> installation
> similar to what they are seeing now - as the OP did state, "It does not
> seem
> as if the system is completely frozen like has happened in the past, since
> I
> am able to move the cursor." <-- which could be indicative of a hardware
> related issue that the OP mis-diagnosed or was diagnosing by trying a new
> installation.
>
> Essentially - a lot of things would have to be assumed - some based off
> wording, some that could go any one of many ways. Why guess? Everyone
> (just about) here that answers questions does so with their free time
> because they want to help - although there are a few that help sometimes
> but
> antagonize more often than not - and for no reason or helpful intentions
> at
> all behind it. *shrug*
>
> In this case I see someone asking reasonable questions, maybe in a more
> caustic manner than some would like, but pertinent is still pertinent no
> matter how it is phrased. Then I see someone else questioning how the
> responder (question asker) asked the questions *and* answering for someone
> they likely do not even know *and* not asking anything to further help the
> original poster (OP) or providing any input at all to assist in resolving
> the OP's query.
>
> Almost ironic, hope the loop stops here in this case.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP