Unable to find the file specified, when uninstalling service pack 2

i've tried everything i've read about: editing the registry,
uninstalling in safe mode, etc and nothing works. I started having
problems with my computer when bestbuy decided to go against my wishes
and install service pack 2. i'm unable to use msn messenger now, and
flashplayer updates will not download. i tried to restore my computer
to a previous point with system restore, but that didn't work either.
also, when i try to download and install windows updates, i get an
error message from microsoft saying i dont have a valid copy of
windows. but i know i do; the sticker is on the bottom of my computer
and i paid for it fair and square.
my question is about performing a repair installation with the windows
xp cd. if i do this, will information be erased from my computer? do i
need to back up all my files or will they not be tainted by repairing
windows?
thanks

Hi! if you are going to repair make sure you back up all your stuff. if you
have a twin drive you can load all the stuff onto the spare and just repair
the dodgy drive but just in case tranfer everything to another pc or laptop
Baz

"" wrote:

> i've tried everything i've read about: editing the registry,
> uninstalling in safe mode, etc and nothing works. I started having
> problems with my computer when bestbuy decided to go against my wishes
> and install service pack 2. i'm unable to use msn messenger now, and
> flashplayer updates will not download. i tried to restore my computer
> to a previous point with system restore, but that didn't work either.
> also, when i try to download and install windows updates, i get an
> error message from microsoft saying i dont have a valid copy of
> windows. but i know i do; the sticker is on the bottom of my computer
> and i paid for it fair and square.
> my question is about performing a repair installation with the windows
> xp cd. if i do this, will information be erased from my computer? do i
> need to back up all my files or will they not be tainted by repairing
> windows?
> thanks
>
>

I had this problem. Click on start, select "windows updates", once at there
you will have to go back and download previous updates that were missed. The
security article files are the ones that will show as having failed I bet.
Any way, try to get the previous updates, then go back up preceed with the
windows XP SP2 updates. There are approximately 3 different updates and a
restart inbetween each. It will take about 3 hours to get all these updates
and restarts completed. What's happened if they updated the windows xp SP2
prior to other critical updates that the system registery does not have and;
Internet Explorer 7, Firefox, MSN will not configure and run properly without
them. Backing up the system and washing it will not help, because bottom line
you will be right back were you are right now without those updates and be
running outdated. Also, once you reach that site you will be able to view
your update history by selecting it in the left hand window of your screen.
You'll be able to see what updates are missing too. Let me know if this
helps. It sure worked for me.

"" wrote:

> i've tried everything i've read about: editing the registry,
> uninstalling in safe mode, etc and nothing works. I started having
> problems with my computer when bestbuy decided to go against my wishes
> and install service pack 2. i'm unable to use msn messenger now, and
> flashplayer updates will not download. i tried to restore my computer
> to a previous point with system restore, but that didn't work either.
> also, when i try to download and install windows updates, i get an
> error message from microsoft saying i dont have a valid copy of
> windows. but i know i do; the sticker is on the bottom of my computer
> and i paid for it fair and square.
> my question is about performing a repair installation with the windows
> xp cd. if i do this, will information be erased from my computer? do i
> need to back up all my files or will they not be tainted by repairing
> windows?
> thanks
>
>

I had the same problem. What's happened is there are other critical updates
missing that have not been updated prior to the windows xp SP2 update. It
usually is a security file. Click on Start, select "windows update", it will
automatically link you to the windows updates website. Select update history;
it's will show what updates have been made, which ones failed and a status as
to why they failed. You will have to update previous updates before the
windows xp SP2 will work properly. It will probably been about 3 different
updates that are critical to your systems proper operations and you will be
prompted to restart between each one. It took me about 3 hours to do them
all. Unforturnately washing your system or back up will simply lead you back
to were you are now without these critical updates. Also, by doing this you
want lose a thing. Internet explorer7, MSN and firefox will not work properly
on your system without these updates and you would be running obsolete. Let
me know how it goes.

"" wrote:

> i've tried everything i've read about: editing the registry,
> uninstalling in safe mode, etc and nothing works. I started having
> problems with my computer when bestbuy decided to go against my wishes
> and install service pack 2. i'm unable to use msn messenger now, and
> flashplayer updates will not download. i tried to restore my computer
> to a previous point with system restore, but that didn't work either.
> also, when i try to download and install windows updates, i get an
> error message from microsoft saying i dont have a valid copy of
> windows. but i know i do; the sticker is on the bottom of my computer
> and i paid for it fair and square.
> my question is about performing a repair installation with the windows
> xp cd. if i do this, will information be erased from my computer? do i
> need to back up all my files or will they not be tainted by repairing
> windows?
> thanks
>
>