Registry Error When Installing Service Pack 2

The first time I tried to install service pack 2 on my machine, it crippled
my system and I had to uninstall it. So I have been leery of installing it
again. Finally, Microsoft has told me my computer is not secure because
Service Pack 2 has not been installed, so I am trying to install it.

When I install it, it successfully backs up my system. But as soon as it
begins to install itself if throws this error:

Service Pack 2 Setup Error
-Failed to install catalog files.

When I looked at my Express Update history I found the following:

Error Code: 0xFFFFFBFE
Try to install the update again, or request help from one of the following
resources.

I looked this error up online and it is a JET_errRecordTooBig. It happens
when the information in JET record is too big for the JET record size
limit. It happens to me when Service Pack 2 starts to install Catalog Files.
The help and support articles I read are the following:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/159284
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925931

I think the second one is the closest the help center has to my problem and
I have looked up Microsoft PSS and downloaded Microsoft PSS VSTO 2005 Client
TroubleShooter. I have run the troubleshooter and I don't know how to
understand or what to do with the information it gives me, or even if I'm
headed in the right direction. Is there a way I can fix this? Should I just
reinstall the operating system?

You're going in the wrong direction -
Cannot install Service Pack 2
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#C...Service_Pack_2

The above will lead you to where the relevant logs are located.
Hopefully, one of the logs will indicate just where in the registry the
issue lies.

*** Strongly suggest *** that you either download the entire SP2 package:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
or, order the CD, which is free. You pay for the postage:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...s/default.mspx

PRIOR to installing SP2, Read these first:
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#Read_this_first
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

When you locate relevant info in the SP2 log[s], feel free to post back
to this thread so that someone can assist you.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


Tangwystal wrote:

> The first time I tried to install service pack 2 on my machine, it crippled
> my system and I had to uninstall it. So I have been leery of installing it
> again. Finally, Microsoft has told me my computer is not secure because
> Service Pack 2 has not been installed, so I am trying to install it.
>
> When I install it, it successfully backs up my system. But as soon as it
> begins to install itself if throws this error:
>
> Service Pack 2 Setup Error
> -Failed to install catalog files.
>
> When I looked at my Express Update history I found the following:
>
> Error Code: 0xFFFFFBFE
> Try to install the update again, or request help from one of the following
> resources.
>
> I looked this error up online and it is a JET_errRecordTooBig. It happens
> when the information in JET record is too big for the JET record size
> limit. It happens to me when Service Pack 2 starts to install Catalog Files.
> The help and support articles I read are the following:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/159284
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925931
>
> I think the second one is the closest the help center has to my problem and
> I have looked up Microsoft PSS and downloaded Microsoft PSS VSTO 2005 Client
> TroubleShooter. I have run the troubleshooter and I don't know how to
> understand or what to do with the information it gives me, or even if I'm
> headed in the right direction. Is there a way I can fix this? Should I just
> reinstall the operating system?

Thank you. I will try that and see if it works.

"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> You're going in the wrong direction -
> Cannot install Service Pack 2
> http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#C...Service_Pack_2
>
> The above will lead you to where the relevant logs are located.
> Hopefully, one of the logs will indicate just where in the registry the
> issue lies.
>
> *** Strongly suggest *** that you either download the entire SP2 package:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
> or, order the CD, which is free. You pay for the postage:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...s/default.mspx
>
> PRIOR to installing SP2, Read these first:
> http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#Read_this_first
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm
>
> When you locate relevant info in the SP2 log[s], feel free to post back
> to this thread so that someone can assist you.
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>
> Tangwystal wrote:
>
> > The first time I tried to install service pack 2 on my machine, it crippled
> > my system and I had to uninstall it. So I have been leery of installing it
> > again. Finally, Microsoft has told me my computer is not secure because
> > Service Pack 2 has not been installed, so I am trying to install it.
> >
> > When I install it, it successfully backs up my system. But as soon as it
> > begins to install itself if throws this error:
> >
> > Service Pack 2 Setup Error
> > -Failed to install catalog files.
> >
> > When I looked at my Express Update history I found the following:
> >
> > Error Code: 0xFFFFFBFE
> > Try to install the update again, or request help from one of the following
> > resources.
> >
> > I looked this error up online and it is a JET_errRecordTooBig. It happens
> > when the information in JET record is too big for the JET record size
> > limit. It happens to me when Service Pack 2 starts to install Catalog Files.
> > The help and support articles I read are the following:
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/159284
> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925931
> >
> > I think the second one is the closest the help center has to my problem and
> > I have looked up Microsoft PSS and downloaded Microsoft PSS VSTO 2005 Client
> > TroubleShooter. I have run the troubleshooter and I don't know how to
> > understand or what to do with the information it gives me, or even if I'm
> > headed in the right direction. Is there a way I can fix this? Should I just
> > reinstall the operating system?
>