SP2 Hell

OK- so I am installing SP2 via Windows Update. Halfway through the install,
my laptop freezes. Marvellous. Have to turn off and on. On boot up message
appears telling me installation failed. Then eventually I can log in as
normal. After log on, I am told that the system is unstable and to use
add/remove programmes to uninstall SP2. SO - i proceed as advised. Halfway
through the uninstall, yes, the laptop freezes. Turn off turn on. Things are
looking dodgy - it hangs at the start up stage for about 4 mins before log on
prompt. Eventually I am in. System properties tells me SP2 is still
installed, but of course it isn't! SO- I try getting rid of it again -
add/remove progs. . Roughly the same point during the un-install it freezes
AGAIN. (i think it is at the stage where it is trying to move sp2 .dll or
something like that?) Argh!!

My laptop is a Sony Fx705. It does freeze now and then anyway, but this is
just a joke. It doesnt like all the hard disk activity required for this
task perhaps?

I have tried 4 times now uninstalling SP2 - what can I do? Windows update
tells me the installation failed (yeeess) but no option of how to try again!
(useless!). I am now downloading via the non w.update route and will attempt
a re-install of SP2 over whatever is there. Is this dodgey do you think?
or should I just try another 4 times to uninstall SP2?
Thanks everyone

Use System Restore to Date/Time before this started:
Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore

Then install SP-2 this way:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm
Do NOT skip step 6.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"ade" <> wrote in message
news92D73E7-A7A9-4A37-9548-...
> OK- so I am installing SP2 via Windows Update. Halfway through the
> install,
> my laptop freezes. Marvellous. Have to turn off and on. On boot
> up message
> appears telling me installation failed. Then eventually I can log
> in as
> normal. After log on, I am told that the system is unstable and to
> use
> add/remove programmes to uninstall SP2. SO - i proceed as advised.
> Halfway
> through the uninstall, yes, the laptop freezes. Turn off turn on.
> Things are
> looking dodgy - it hangs at the start up stage for about 4 mins
> before log on
> prompt. Eventually I am in. System properties tells me SP2 is still
> installed, but of course it isn't! SO- I try getting rid of it
> again -
> add/remove progs. . Roughly the same point during the un-install it
> freezes
> AGAIN. (i think it is at the stage where it is trying to move sp2
> .dll or
> something like that?) Argh!!
>
> My laptop is a Sony Fx705. It does freeze now and then anyway, but
> this is
> just a joke. It doesnt like all the hard disk activity required for
> this
> task perhaps?
>
> I have tried 4 times now uninstalling SP2 - what can I do? Windows
> update
> tells me the installation failed (yeeess) but no option of how to
> try again!
> (useless!). I am now downloading via the non w.update route and
> will attempt
> a re-install of SP2 over whatever is there. Is this dodgey do you
> think?
> or should I just try another 4 times to uninstall SP2?
> Thanks everyone

ade wrote:

> (snip)
> I have tried 4 times now uninstalling SP2 - what can I do? Windows update
> tells me the installation failed (yeeess) but no option of how to try again!
> (useless!). I am now downloading via the non w.update route and will attempt
> a re-install of SP2 over whatever is there. Is this dodgey do you think?
> or should I just try another 4 times to uninstall SP2?
Hi

I would have tried to reinstall SP2 again. But first, go to Sony's Web
site and see if there is BIOS update available for your computer and
if it is, install it before you try SP2 again.

Also be sure to have all antivirus software disabled while you install
SP2.

I suggest you install SP2 in Safe Mode (press F8 repeatedly early in
the Windows startup process).

Note this one if you get it to install in Safe mode:

How to Install Service Packs and Hotfixes When Windows Is Running
in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=818460

"Important If you do install a service pack or update while Windows
is running in Safe mode, immediately reinstall it after you start
Windows normally."

Also, you should clean out this folder (WU5's temporary download
folder) to get rid of the SP2 temporary installation files from
your previous installation (if installed from Windows Update):

%windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\

(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)


If SP2 installs successfully:

For folders you can consider deleting and other disk cleanup tips
after a SP2 installation, take a look here:

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm...TNGP14.phx.gbl


--
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...r/default.mspx

Hi neighbor! So how do you like hell? I moved in
yesterday.

You will probably need to perform a system restore. I
assume you are running XP. Make sure your laptop is
plugged in to AC power. Go to start, programs,
accessories, system tools, system restore. Select a date
before you took the long walk down to the "fiery Gates of
hell".

Your laptop should boot fine and look normal. This
doesn't solve your issues with windows update, but it
will get your laptop running again. I am still awaiting
help on how to install this @!#%ing service pack as well.
I have downloaded the full 272mb file and still have the
same problem.

Good luck neighbor. Hope to see you up "top" soon!

>-----Original Message-----
>OK- so I am installing SP2 via Windows Update. Halfway
through the install,
>my laptop freezes. Marvellous. Have to turn off and
on. On boot up message
>appears telling me installation failed. Then eventually
I can log in as
>normal. After log on, I am told that the system is
unstable and to use
>add/remove programmes to uninstall SP2. SO - i proceed
as advised. Halfway
>through the uninstall, yes, the laptop freezes. Turn
off turn on. Things are
>looking dodgy - it hangs at the start up stage for about
4 mins before log on
>prompt. Eventually I am in. System properties tells me
SP2 is still
>installed, but of course it isn't! SO- I try getting
rid of it again -
>add/remove progs. . Roughly the same point during the un-
install it freezes
>AGAIN. (i think it is at the stage where it is trying to
move sp2 .dll or
>something like that?) Argh!!
>
>My laptop is a Sony Fx705. It does freeze now and then
anyway, but this is
>just a joke. It doesnt like all the hard disk activity
required for this
>task perhaps?
>
>I have tried 4 times now uninstalling SP2 - what can I
do? Windows update
>tells me the installation failed (yeeess) but no option
of how to try again!
>(useless!). I am now downloading via the non w.update
route and will attempt
>a re-install of SP2 over whatever is there. Is this
dodgey do you think?
>or should I just try another 4 times to uninstall SP2?
>Thanks everyone
>.
>