SP2 and System File Checker

Within 6 mos its release, I tried to update my XP Pro to SP2. I had page
fileing errors that no one at Dell or Microsoft could help me correct. I
unloaded the SP2 as recommended. A few months later I tried to reload SP2 but
could never get a full clean load. The only thing I was promised is that SP2
would fully unload from my computer when I removed it and that it would be
like it was never there. SO UNTRUE!!! Before I was going to try again I heard
about running the System File Checker utility to make sure the current
program has no corruptions in it. First thing the utility asked me to do was
to place my program CD in the drive. Upon doing that it immediately came back
and told me to insert the SP2 disk as the utility claims it is my current
version. So I load an SP2 CD in the drive. It does not recognize this either
as my current version. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the SFC
utility to run for me?

I don't think running SFC is necessary prior to installing a service pack. I would not suggest it. Really, do NOT use it.
I would suggest the following:
Know the root cause of the prior failure(s) in applying the service pack. To remove the chance of it repeating.
And having covered that, follow recommendations on steps to /prepare/ for a service pack upgrade.

Keep this SP2 reference page handy
http://aumha.org/win5/a/sp2faq.htm

Here is one link to get started on getting XP SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...xp/choose.mspx

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

mlm wrote:
> Within 6 mos its release, I tried to update my XP Pro to SP2. I had
> page fileing errors that no one at Dell or Microsoft could help me
> correct. I unloaded the SP2 as recommended. A few months later I
> tried to reload SP2 but could never get a full clean load. The only
> thing I was promised is that SP2 would fully unload from my computer
> when I removed it and that it would be like it was never there. SO
> UNTRUE!!! Before I was going to try again I heard about running the
> System File Checker utility to make sure the current program has no
> corruptions in it. First thing the utility asked me to do was to
> place my program CD in the drive. Upon doing that it immediately came
> back and told me to insert the SP2 disk as the utility claims it is
> my current version. So I load an SP2 CD in the drive. It does not
> recognize this either as my current version. Does anyone have any
> suggestions on how to get the SFC utility to run for me?

Unfortunately no one knew the root causes for my two previous failures, each
gave a different error reason - I had upper level Microsoft tech, Dell techs
and McAfee techs working on it. The second time I even had one tech directly
accessing my computer so they could work on it directly. NO ONE could figure
it out and just recommended uninstalling SP2. And this one tech spend 3-4
hours working directly in my computer. Plus the many other hours having me
run various scans and virus check before hand.

I browsed the pre-installation instructions, the installation instructions
and your post-installation instructions. Each one seems to be a days work. I
will have to get back to you in a few days to update you on what happens.

Curious, why do you so strongly advise against running SFC?


"Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:

> I don't think running SFC is necessary prior to installing a service pack. I would not suggest it. Really, do NOT use it.
> I would suggest the following:
> Know the root cause of the prior failure(s) in applying the service pack. To remove the chance of it repeating.
> And having covered that, follow recommendations on steps to /prepare/ for a service pack upgrade.
>
> Keep this SP2 reference page handy
> http://aumha.org/win5/a/sp2faq.htm
>
> Here is one link to get started on getting XP SP2
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...xp/choose.mspx
>
> --
> Maurice N
> MVP Windows - Shell / User
> -----
>
> mlm wrote:
> > Within 6 mos its release, I tried to update my XP Pro to SP2. I had
> > page fileing errors that no one at Dell or Microsoft could help me
> > correct. I unloaded the SP2 as recommended. A few months later I
> > tried to reload SP2 but could never get a full clean load. The only
> > thing I was promised is that SP2 would fully unload from my computer
> > when I removed it and that it would be like it was never there. SO
> > UNTRUE!!! Before I was going to try again I heard about running the
> > System File Checker utility to make sure the current program has no
> > corruptions in it. First thing the utility asked me to do was to
> > place my program CD in the drive. Upon doing that it immediately came
> > back and told me to insert the SP2 disk as the utility claims it is
> > my current version. So I load an SP2 CD in the drive. It does not
> > recognize this either as my current version. Does anyone have any
> > suggestions on how to get the SFC utility to run for me?
>

The instructions on the XP-SP2 Faq should not overwhem you. The basics are:
make sure system is virus free
make sure it is malware fee
turn off antivirus
turn OFF all auto-load programs except those absolutly needed (firewall ok / A.V. must stay off)
remove extra 3rd-party themes
insure plenty FREE space on hard drive
apply service pack

As to SFC, it is not needed at all. Given that a system is stable, a service pack update is going to update all system files.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----


mlm wrote:
<snipped>
>
> I browsed the pre-installation instructions, the installation
> instructions and your post-installation instructions. Each one seems
> to be a days work. I will have to get back to you in a few days to
> update you on what happens.
>
> Curious, why do you so strongly advise against running SFC?
>
>
> "Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:
>
>> I don't think running SFC is necessary prior to installing a service
>> pack. I would not suggest it. Really, do NOT use it. I would suggest
>> the following: Know the root cause of the prior failure(s) in
>> applying the service pack. To remove the chance of it repeating. And
>> having covered that, follow recommendations on steps to /prepare/
>> for a service pack upgrade.
>>
>> Keep this SP2 reference page handy
>> http://aumha.org/win5/a/sp2faq.htm
>>
>> Here is one link to get started on getting XP SP2
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...xp/choose.mspx
>>
>> --
>> Maurice N
>> MVP Windows - Shell / User
>> -----
>>
>> mlm wrote:
>>> Within 6 mos its release, I tried to update my XP Pro to SP2. I had
>>> page fileing errors that no one at Dell or Microsoft could help me
>>> correct. I unloaded the SP2 as recommended. A few months later I
>>> tried to reload SP2 but could never get a full clean load. The only
>>> thing I was promised is that SP2 would fully unload from my computer
>>> when I removed it and that it would be like it was never there. SO
>>> UNTRUE!!! Before I was going to try again I heard about running the
>>> System File Checker utility to make sure the current program has no
>>> corruptions in it. First thing the utility asked me to do was to
>>> place my program CD in the drive. Upon doing that it immediately
>>> came back and told me to insert the SP2 disk as the utility claims
>>> it is my current version. So I load an SP2 CD in the drive. It does
>>> not recognize this either as my current version. Does anyone have
>>> any suggestions on how to get the SFC utility to run for me?