windows update XP pro to service pack 2 hangs ...

i've tried now 5-6 times to use windows update to install SP2.
everytime the download seems to go fine.. the bar goes all the way
to the right (progress bar). then it just sits there. for hours.
when i check windows task manager ...the processor is going
100 % so i'm not sure if the update is going or not.
but after 3 hours i hit cancel and then get an installation
failed page. there is no clear error message and clickin on
trouble shoot doesn't take me anywhere.

active x controls are on. firewall is off. antivirus is turned off ...

help !!

Hi;

Given that you have tried a few times to install SP2 already, you will need
to do some clean up. Then you can manually download/install SP2.

For the cleaning up steps, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875350/en-us
especially if SP2 is listed in your Add/Remove Programs list. BTW, while
the Recovery Console method sounds bad at first look, it isn't if you just
print and follow the steps.

Next, download SP2 and install it offline. You can grab it from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

HTH

--

....Sky

Tom "Sky" King
============



fxman wrote:
> i've tried now 5-6 times to use windows update to install SP2.
> everytime the download seems to go fine.. the bar goes all the way
> to the right (progress bar). then it just sits there. for hours.
.........

hey SK, first of all, thanx a million

i forgot to mention that this was a fresh reinstall (HD crashed)
of service pack 1. not sure if that makes any difference ...



"Sky King" wrote:

> Hi;
>
> Given that you have tried a few times to install SP2 already, you will need
> to do some clean up. Then you can manually download/install SP2.
>
> For the cleaning up steps, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875350/en-us
> especially if SP2 is listed in your Add/Remove Programs list. BTW, while
> the Recovery Console method sounds bad at first look, it isn't if you just
> print and follow the steps.
>
> Next, download SP2 and install it offline. You can grab it from here:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
> HTH
>
> --
>
> ....Sky
>
> Tom "Sky" King
> ============
>
>
>
> fxman wrote:
> > i've tried now 5-6 times to use windows update to install SP2.
> > everytime the download seems to go fine.. the bar goes all the way
> > to the right (progress bar). then it just sits there. for hours.
> .........
>
>
>
>

Hi;

That won't make a difference. What is important is to clear out the ugly
remnants of the failed SP2 install attempts, then install it again cleanly
offline.

--

....Sky

Tom "Sky" King
============

fxman wrote:

> i forgot to mention that this was a fresh reinstall (HD crashed)
> of service pack 1. not sure if that makes any difference ...

one last (?) question ..
if i do a system restore to the point before my first sp2 attempt
will that clear the system or do i still need to go through the
clean up steps ?

"Sky King" wrote:

>
> Hi;
>
> That won't make a difference. What is important is to clear out the ugly
> remnants of the failed SP2 install attempts, then install it again cleanly
> offline.
>
> --
>
> ....Sky
>
> Tom "Sky" King
> ============
>
> fxman wrote:
>
> > i forgot to mention that this was a fresh reinstall (HD crashed)
> > of service pack 1. not sure if that makes any difference ...
>
>
>

It depends. Is your last System Restore point less than one week old?

Generally speaking, most SR points are not the best idea after 72 hours, at
most a week.

Plus SR won't clear all the corrupted files back to good ones that earlier
steps listed will do. I'd recommend you bite the bullet and just get er
done. <g>

--

....Sky

Tom "Sky" King
============

fxman wrote:
> one last (?) question ..
> if i do a system restore to the point before my first sp2 attempt
> will that clear the system or do i still need to go through the
> clean up steps ?

hey thanx a million for the advice
you saved soo much trouble for me

"Sky King" wrote:

> It depends. Is your last System Restore point less than one week old?
>
> Generally speaking, most SR points are not the best idea after 72 hours, at
> most a week.
>
> Plus SR won't clear all the corrupted files back to good ones that earlier
> steps listed will do. I'd recommend you bite the bullet and just get er
> done. <g>
>
> --
>
> ....Sky
>
> Tom "Sky" King
> ============
>
> fxman wrote:
> > one last (?) question ..
> > if i do a system restore to the point before my first sp2 attempt
> > will that clear the system or do i still need to go through the
> > clean up steps ?
>
>
>