XP media center SP3 problems

Hi, I am working on a Gateway laptop running XP Media Center. It has SP2
installed. I have tried to install SP3 through automatic updates and it will
not complete. I turned off XP firewall and Avast anti-virus as suggested if
I was having problems. In this mode I get error code 0xD0000006. It
displays a message that the installation did not complete.

Prior to this I tried several times and it would install partially and then
I would get the message: Copy Error- Setup cannot copy the file "_" Ensure
that the location specified below is correct or change it and insert windows
service pack 3 source files in the drive you specify.

"_" would be replaced with the following files: mqqm.dll msnmsgs.msi
autochk.exe sspipes.scr sfsfiles.dll

I would first tell it it "retry" and then "skip" after it would not find the
files.

Once it reached the sfsfiles.dll and I tried to skip this file it would
cancel the installation and start the process to revert back to the previous
configuration.

I have searched and cannot find a solution to my problem. Any help would be
appreciated.

Jeff

Jeff wrote
> I am working on a Gateway laptop running XP Media Center. It has SP2
> installed. I have tried to install SP3 through automatic updates and it
> will
> not complete. I turned off XP firewall and Avast anti-virus as suggested
> if
> I was having problems. In this mode I get error code 0xD0000006. It
> displays a message that the installation did not complete.
>
> Prior to this I tried several times and it would install partially and
> then
> I would get the message: Copy Error- Setup cannot copy the file "_"
> Ensure
> that the location specified below is correct or change it and insert
> windows
> service pack 3 source files in the drive you specify.
>
> "_" would be replaced with the following files: mqqm.dll
> msnmsgs.msi
> autochk.exe sspipes.scr sfsfiles.dll
>
> I would first tell it it "retry" and then "skip" after it would not find
> the
> files.
>
> Once it reached the sfsfiles.dll and I tried to skip this file it would
> cancel the installation and start the process to revert back to the
> previous
> configuration.
>
> I have searched and cannot find a solution to my problem. Any help would
> be
> appreciated.

There are several 'versions' of Media Center - which is it?

You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name and edition) while the line starting with the word
"version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response
to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure
character-for-character copying.

What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
(just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.

Let's look at your copy/license of Windows XP now - validate it if you
will. Visit the following web site in Internet Explorer:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/
and locate/click on the "Start Diagnostics" blue button on the left side
of the web page. Does everything pass? If not - what are the diagnostic
steps they have you go through?

Next, download/run:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

You will be prompted to either Run or Save the tool. Choose to Run the
tool and follow the on-screen prompts. You will receive an Internet
Explorer-Security Warning dialog box for the Windows Genuine Advantage
Diagnostic Tool; you must choose to Run this tool when prompted.

Once you are presented with the Diagnostics tool choose Continue to run
the diagnostic report. If the RESOLVE button is available after running
the diagnostics, please click RESOLVE to allow the diagnostic tool to
attempt a repair.

1. After running the MGA Diagnostic tool, click on the Windows tab and
then click on Copy.
2. Please return to this post and paste the results here for additional
review.

Now that we have some base information, let's cleanup and get ready to
install Windows XP SP3 onto your Windows XP system.

Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.

Fix your file/registry permissions...

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
"Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
"Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step (6) - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.

You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
worries *at this time*.

*After* that is done, continue on to the next part where you clean off
some excess (unnecessary) files. It only removes those you definitely
do not need, if you follow the directions *as given* and do not deviate.
So reboot (for each of these steps, it is just best to reboot right
before - but I will continue to point that out) and logon as an user with
administrative priviledges.

Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
excited about. But the cleaner your machine is to start with, the
better your luck will be later (not really luck - more like preparedness,
but that's not as fun to think about, eh?)

Yeah - you will get tired of rebooting - but let's soldier on and reboot
again and logon as an user with administrative priviledges.

This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

You may find nothing, you may find only cookies, you may think it is a
waste of time - but if you do all this and report back here with what you
do/don't find as you are doing all of it - you are adding more pieces to
the puzzle and the entire picture just may become clearer and your
problem resolved.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the
root of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Visit this web page:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

.... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit and
reboot when it is.

Now for SP3...

Download the full SP3 installation file.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...8-1E1555D4F3D4

You are just saving it right now - not running it yet. There will be no
file size deviation - it is 316.4MB.

You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C...

How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot

You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C...

How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications (ZoneAlarm, etc)
and utilize the built-in WIndows Firewall only.

Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the taskbar gives you
a choice to do so.

Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable.

Reboot when requested to do so.

Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes.

Reboot.

Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.

After that - there will be more updates.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a single
step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now - go through
until the end, until you have done everything given in the order given. If
you have a problem with a step come ask and let someone here get you
through that step. If you don't understand how to do a step, come back
and ask here about that step and let someone walk you through it.

Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or if
you have more issues.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

> ...I turned off XP firewall and Avast anti-virus as
> suggested if I was having problems.

No, no, no! If you don't have a third-party firewall installed, you NEVER
want to disable the Windows Firewall.

How long has Avast been installed? Was there ever a period, however brief,
that you did NOT have a functional, fully-updated anti-virus application
installed?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for WinXP SP3 was
available from 14 April 2008 thru May 2009. Such support will cost you
US$59 per incident now.

The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in
dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...prid=7552&st=1

Also available via...

Consumer Security Support home page
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

Otherwise...

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!)
in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm

3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


Jeff wrote:
> Hi, I am working on a Gateway laptop running XP Media Center. It has SP2
> installed. I have tried to install SP3 through automatic updates and it
> will not complete. I turned off XP firewall and Avast anti-virus as
> suggested if I was having problems. In this mode I get error code
> 0xD0000006. It displays a message that the installation did not complete.
>
> Prior to this I tried several times and it would install partially and
> then
> I would get the message: Copy Error- Setup cannot copy the file "_"
> Ensure
> that the location specified below is correct or change it and insert
> windows
> service pack 3 source files in the drive you specify.
>
> "_" would be replaced with the following files: mqqm.dll
> msnmsgs.msi
> autochk.exe sspipes.scr sfsfiles.dll
>
> I would first tell it it "retry" and then "skip" after it would not find
> the
> files.
>
> Once it reached the sfsfiles.dll and I tried to skip this file it would
> cancel the installation and start the process to revert back to the
> previous
> configuration.
>
> I have searched and cannot find a solution to my problem. Any help would
> be
> appreciated.
>
> Jeff

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

Shenan, wow, thank you for your in depth and fast reply. I am currently
running check disk, which I had previously done, but it is finding and
replacing bad clusters at the moment. I will reply with the requested info
as soon as this finishes, unless you recommend I stop check disk and move on
with your suggestions. At the rate it is going it will be many hours before
it finishes. Some of your suggestion I have already done, but I will do them
over and in the sequence you stated. I will reply back as soon as I can get
it completed. Again, thank you!

Jeff