Re: Access denied when trying to install XP Service Pack 3

[X-post to WU NG]

Error message when you try to install WinXP SP3: "Access is denied" or
“Service Pack installation did not complete”
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

[Possible fix:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/re...n-windows-xp/]

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3) and *only until* 14 Apr-09.
(Chat and e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.)
Go to http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
"Windows XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

gsn wrote:
> I have a 3-year-old Gateway laptop for backup. I rarely use it
> anymore, so every now and then I take it out to just update virus
> definitions and other files.
>
> The other night there must have been a dozen Windows updates waiting
> for me. I installed them all and rebooted. Then I was told there was
> one more update left: Windows XP Service Pack 3. I haven’t been
> following XP since moving to Vista on my primary desktop. I started
> the install.
>
> At nearly the end of the process, I got the error message:
> “NTServicePack installation failed. Access is denied.”
>
> I decided to back out and let Windows uninstall the update. That’s
> when I got another error message: “NTServicePack, Event ID 4374,
> Windows XP Service Pack installation failed, leaving Windows XP
> partially updated. Service Pack 3 installation not complete.”
>
> Say what?!@#$ Only partially? Which part? Why would it be only
> partially uninstalled? I was informed that Windows may not run
> properly now. Would my computer boot up again?
>
> I fired up a browser (Firefox, of course) and tried to find out what
> to do. Microsoft support told me to restart the computer and then
> download SP3 from their Download Center. Try to install that way.
>
> Thankfully, my little laptop restarted. Dutifully, I followed their
> link to the download center, where I was told “DO NOT CLICK DOWNLOAD
> IF YOU ARE UPDATING JUST ONE COMPUTER.” Use Windows Update instead.
>
> On a Microsoft support forum, I was told there was “free unlimited
> installation and compatibility support is available for Windows XP,
> but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. “
>
> So I went for my free support and found that because my XP was
> installed on my computer by the manufacturer when I bought it, I would
> have to pay $59.
>
> What went wrong? What was partially updated? What wasn't? How will my
> laptop function going forward? What is the best, safest way to attempt
> to reinstall Service Pack 3 for a single machine? I have plenty of
> disk space. I am running McAfee and Spy Sweeper. Am wondering if I
> need to disable those for this. Any help greatly appreciated.