XP SP 2 Problem;won't load desktop after download

I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After installation, my
desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to my
desktop. Can anyone help??

I am having the same problem but I am not able to restore. I keep getting a
"no entry point" error with a shlwapi.dll. What a mess!



"" wrote:

> I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After installation, my
> desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to my
> desktop. Can anyone help??

Same problem is happening here. It started after getting the latest update,
just this morning (10/13/04)
I get an error message saying as soon as I click to login, and then it won't
actually load the desktop or anything:
'Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found'
"The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the
dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll"


"" wrote:

> I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After installation, my
> desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to my
> desktop. Can anyone help??

If you receive an error message: "Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found - The
procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the

dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll", this information will help resolve the
issue.



This appears to have been caused by the following sequence of events:

1) You installed Windows XP Service Pack 2

2) The installation of Service Pack 2 failed due to a computer crash
during the installation which caused the automatic Service Pack Recovery
process. On next boot, you would have received an error message telling you
that the install failed, and you need to go to the control panel and
uninstall SP2 and then try re-installing it. This message may have been
dismissed accidentally or by another individual using your computer. In any
event, the Service Pack recovery process was not completed by uninstalling
the service pack from the add/remove programs control panel, and the system
is in a partially installed state which is not stable.

3) You then installed the latest security update for Windows XP,
MS04-038, KB834707. Because your system is still partially SP2, the SP2
version of this fix was downloaded and installed by Windows Update or
Automatic Updates. However, the operating system files on the system are
the original versions due to the SP Recovery process. This results in
mismatched files causing this error.



To recover the system, carefully do the following steps:



1.. Boot normally and attempt to log in to your desktop. At this point
you should get the error message listed above.
2.. Press Control+Alt+Delete at the same time to start the Task Manager.
You may get additional error messages but Task Manager will eventually
start.
3.. On the menu bar, select File and then New Task (run).
4.. Type in "control appwiz.cpl" into the new task box and hit OK. You
may get additional errors that can be ignored.
5.. The Add/Remove Control Panel should now be running. You can close task
manager.
6.. Near the bottom of the list, find the entry titled "Windows XP
Hotfix - KB834707.
7.. Click on it and click the "Remove" button. It will take some time to
complete. Once the "Finish" button is visible, click on it and reboot your
system. If you get messages about additional software or hotfixes installed,
you can safely ignore them.


Do NOT stop now! Your system is still in the "failed SP2 install" state.
You MUST complete the SP2 uninstall, and then re-install SP2.



8.. Start the system and log in.
9.. Click on Start and then Control Panel.
10.. Click on the Add/Remove programs item.
11.. Near the bottom of the list, find the entry titled "Windows XP
Service Pack 2" entry.
12.. Click on it and remove Service Pack 2. You may get a warning about
software you have installed after SP2. Make a note of it as you may need to
reinstall some of if after the uninstall operation.
13.. After Service Pack 2 has been successfully removed, you should visit
http://www.microsoft.com/sp2install, for instructions on installing Service
Pack 2. You can get SP2 from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
14.. After Service Pack 2 has been successfully re-installed, you should
re-visit Windows Update to get the proper version of the latest critical
security updates.


FAQ:

Q: I don't believe I am in the "partially installed SP2 state." Is there
any way to check that?

A: After step 7, your system should be able to log in. There are several
ways to check.

1. Open the file c:\windows\svcpack.log, and scroll to the very bottom
of the file. About 10 lines from the end, you should see:

0.xxx: Executing script \SystemRoot\sprecovr.txt

0.xxx: In cleanup mode. System will not be rebooted.

If you have these lines in svcpack.log, and you did not uninstall Service
Pack 2 in Add/Remove programs, you definitely have a machine in this
partially installed state.



2. Click on Start menu, then Run, and type "winver". If the version
is "Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158: Service Pack 2" then
you have the correct SP2 install. If, however, it has a number that begins
with a 01, 02 or 03 or any number less than 040804 after the xpsp2, such as
Build 2600.xpsp2.030422-1633 : Service Pack 2" then you definitely have a
machine in the partially installed state.







Please reply and let us know if this worked.



"Seriouslynowineedhelp" < >
wrote in message news:03ED0312-F8AF-401E-993D-...
> Same problem is happening here. It started after getting the latest
> update,
> just this morning (10/13/04)
> I get an error message saying as soon as I click to login, and then it
> won't
> actually load the desktop or anything:
> 'Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found'
> "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the
> dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll"
>
>
> "" wrote:
>
>> I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After
>> installation, my
>> desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to
>> my
>> desktop. Can anyone help??

Cheers man this works... This really works a repair reinstall would
screw the entire problem tried it on the computer and it works only
flaw in this is that after SP2 uninstallation drivers on the computer
are lost and need to reinstall all the drivers... Else this resolution
avoided clean installation...


Cheers!!!!

I have the same problem "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could
not be located in the dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll" after installing SP2
and restarting my computer. Uninstallation of SP2 is also not working; i get
the message "Not able to perform uninstall".

"" wrote:

> I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After installation, my
> desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to my
> desktop. Can anyone help??

This worked great!

Thanks,
BM

"J." wrote:

> If you receive an error message: "Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found - The
> procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the
>
> dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll", this information will help resolve the
> issue.
>
>
>
> This appears to have been caused by the following sequence of events:
>
> 1) You installed Windows XP Service Pack 2
>
> 2) The installation of Service Pack 2 failed due to a computer crash
> during the installation which caused the automatic Service Pack Recovery
> process. On next boot, you would have received an error message telling you
> that the install failed, and you need to go to the control panel and
> uninstall SP2 and then try re-installing it. This message may have been
> dismissed accidentally or by another individual using your computer. In any
> event, the Service Pack recovery process was not completed by uninstalling
> the service pack from the add/remove programs control panel, and the system
> is in a partially installed state which is not stable.
>
> 3) You then installed the latest security update for Windows XP,
> MS04-038, KB834707. Because your system is still partially SP2, the SP2
> version of this fix was downloaded and installed by Windows Update or
> Automatic Updates. However, the operating system files on the system are
> the original versions due to the SP Recovery process. This results in
> mismatched files causing this error.
>
>
>
> To recover the system, carefully do the following steps:
>
>
>
> 1.. Boot normally and attempt to log in to your desktop. At this point
> you should get the error message listed above.
> 2.. Press Control+Alt+Delete at the same time to start the Task Manager.
> You may get additional error messages but Task Manager will eventually
> start.
> 3.. On the menu bar, select File and then New Task (run).
> 4.. Type in "control appwiz.cpl" into the new task box and hit OK. You
> may get additional errors that can be ignored.
> 5.. The Add/Remove Control Panel should now be running. You can close task
> manager.
> 6.. Near the bottom of the list, find the entry titled "Windows XP
> Hotfix - KB834707.
> 7.. Click on it and click the "Remove" button. It will take some time to
> complete. Once the "Finish" button is visible, click on it and reboot your
> system. If you get messages about additional software or hotfixes installed,
> you can safely ignore them.
>
>
> Do NOT stop now! Your system is still in the "failed SP2 install" state.
> You MUST complete the SP2 uninstall, and then re-install SP2.
>
>
>
> 8.. Start the system and log in.
> 9.. Click on Start and then Control Panel.
> 10.. Click on the Add/Remove programs item.
> 11.. Near the bottom of the list, find the entry titled "Windows XP
> Service Pack 2" entry.
> 12.. Click on it and remove Service Pack 2. You may get a warning about
> software you have installed after SP2. Make a note of it as you may need to
> reinstall some of if after the uninstall operation.
> 13.. After Service Pack 2 has been successfully removed, you should visit
> http://www.microsoft.com/sp2install, for instructions on installing Service
> Pack 2. You can get SP2 from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
> 14.. After Service Pack 2 has been successfully re-installed, you should
> re-visit Windows Update to get the proper version of the latest critical
> security updates.
>
>
> FAQ:
>
> Q: I don't believe I am in the "partially installed SP2 state." Is there
> any way to check that?
>
> A: After step 7, your system should be able to log in. There are several
> ways to check.
>
> 1. Open the file c:\windows\svcpack.log, and scroll to the very bottom
> of the file. About 10 lines from the end, you should see:
>
> 0.xxx: Executing script \SystemRoot\sprecovr.txt
>
> 0.xxx: In cleanup mode. System will not be rebooted.
>
> If you have these lines in svcpack.log, and you did not uninstall Service
> Pack 2 in Add/Remove programs, you definitely have a machine in this
> partially installed state.
>
>
>
> 2. Click on Start menu, then Run, and type "winver". If the version
> is "Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158: Service Pack 2" then
> you have the correct SP2 install. If, however, it has a number that begins
> with a 01, 02 or 03 or any number less than 040804 after the xpsp2, such as
> Build 2600.xpsp2.030422-1633 : Service Pack 2" then you definitely have a
> machine in the partially installed state.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Please reply and let us know if this worked.
>
>
>
> "Seriouslynowineedhelp" < >
> wrote in message news:03ED0312-F8AF-401E-993D-...
> > Same problem is happening here. It started after getting the latest
> > update,
> > just this morning (10/13/04)
> > I get an error message saying as soon as I click to login, and then it
> > won't
> > actually load the desktop or anything:
> > 'Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found'
> > "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the
> > dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll"
> >
> >
> > "" wrote:
> >
> >> I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After
> >> installation, my
> >> desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to
> >> my
> >> desktop. Can anyone help??
>
>
>

I have the same/similar issue as "Desperate user" above. I get a "Service
Pack 2"..."The system cannot find the file specified" yet it shows in the Add
or Remove programs list.

Can anyone help.


"Desperate_user" wrote:

> I have the same problem "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could
> not be located in the dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll" after installing SP2
> and restarting my computer. Uninstallation of SP2 is also not working; i get
> the message "Not able to perform uninstall".
>
> "" wrote:
>
> > I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After installation, my
> > desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to my
> > desktop. Can anyone help??

I have followed the advice of "J." It begins to uninstall kb834707 but at the
point where it says "deleting files... and Copying files... at about 75 % it
jumps straight to a place where "Updating Registry" is checked and "Running
Processes After Install" is in bold and the finish button is available there
are also "Performing Cleanup" and Starting Services" unchecked and unbold. I
have left the computer at this atage for hours to see if it would finish the
process but it does not.
I also tried uninstalling SP2 it self in every way posted on Microsoft.com
and it always says "specified file not found" followed by a popup that says
something like SP2 could not be uninstalled. What do I do? To make matters
worse I cant find my XP Pro disc.

Thanks Patrick

"J." wrote:

> If you receive an error message: "Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found - The
> procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the
>
> dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll", this information will help resolve the
> issue.
>
>
>
> This appears to have been caused by the following sequence of events:
>
> 1) You installed Windows XP Service Pack 2
>
> 2) The installation of Service Pack 2 failed due to a computer crash
> during the installation which caused the automatic Service Pack Recovery
> process. On next boot, you would have received an error message telling you
> that the install failed, and you need to go to the control panel and
> uninstall SP2 and then try re-installing it. This message may have been
> dismissed accidentally or by another individual using your computer. In any
> event, the Service Pack recovery process was not completed by uninstalling
> the service pack from the add/remove programs control panel, and the system
> is in a partially installed state which is not stable.
>
> 3) You then installed the latest security update for Windows XP,
> MS04-038, KB834707. Because your system is still partially SP2, the SP2
> version of this fix was downloaded and installed by Windows Update or
> Automatic Updates. However, the operating system files on the system are
> the original versions due to the SP Recovery process. This results in
> mismatched files causing this error.
>
>
>
> To recover the system, carefully do the following steps:
>
>
>
> 1.. Boot normally and attempt to log in to your desktop. At this point
> you should get the error message listed above.
> 2.. Press Control+Alt+Delete at the same time to start the Task Manager.
> You may get additional error messages but Task Manager will eventually
> start.
> 3.. On the menu bar, select File and then New Task (run).
> 4.. Type in "control appwiz.cpl" into the new task box and hit OK. You
> may get additional errors that can be ignored.
> 5.. The Add/Remove Control Panel should now be running. You can close task
> manager.
> 6.. Near the bottom of the list, find the entry titled "Windows XP
> Hotfix - KB834707.
> 7.. Click on it and click the "Remove" button. It will take some time to
> complete. Once the "Finish" button is visible, click on it and reboot your
> system. If you get messages about additional software or hotfixes installed,
> you can safely ignore them.
>
>
> Do NOT stop now! Your system is still in the "failed SP2 install" state.
> You MUST complete the SP2 uninstall, and then re-install SP2.
>
>
>
> 8.. Start the system and log in.
> 9.. Click on Start and then Control Panel.
> 10.. Click on the Add/Remove programs item.
> 11.. Near the bottom of the list, find the entry titled "Windows XP
> Service Pack 2" entry.
> 12.. Click on it and remove Service Pack 2. You may get a warning about
> software you have installed after SP2. Make a note of it as you may need to
> reinstall some of if after the uninstall operation.
> 13.. After Service Pack 2 has been successfully removed, you should visit
> http://www.microsoft.com/sp2install, for instructions on installing Service
> Pack 2. You can get SP2 from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
> 14.. After Service Pack 2 has been successfully re-installed, you should
> re-visit Windows Update to get the proper version of the latest critical
> security updates.
>
>
> FAQ:
>
> Q: I don't believe I am in the "partially installed SP2 state." Is there
> any way to check that?
>
> A: After step 7, your system should be able to log in. There are several
> ways to check.
>
> 1. Open the file c:\windows\svcpack.log, and scroll to the very bottom
> of the file. About 10 lines from the end, you should see:
>
> 0.xxx: Executing script \SystemRoot\sprecovr.txt
>
> 0.xxx: In cleanup mode. System will not be rebooted.
>
> If you have these lines in svcpack.log, and you did not uninstall Service
> Pack 2 in Add/Remove programs, you definitely have a machine in this
> partially installed state.
>
>
>
> 2. Click on Start menu, then Run, and type "winver". If the version
> is "Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158: Service Pack 2" then
> you have the correct SP2 install. If, however, it has a number that begins
> with a 01, 02 or 03 or any number less than 040804 after the xpsp2, such as
> Build 2600.xpsp2.030422-1633 : Service Pack 2" then you definitely have a
> machine in the partially installed state.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Please reply and let us know if this worked.
>
>
>
> "Seriouslynowineedhelp" < >
> wrote in message news:03ED0312-F8AF-401E-993D-...
> > Same problem is happening here. It started after getting the latest
> > update,
> > just this morning (10/13/04)
> > I get an error message saying as soon as I click to login, and then it
> > won't
> > actually load the desktop or anything:
> > 'Explorer.EXE - Entry Point Not Found'
> > "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the
> > dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll"
> >
> >
> > "" wrote:
> >
> >> I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After
> >> installation, my
> >> desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to
> >> my
> >> desktop. Can anyone help??
>
>
>

Try the solutions J. gives. It worked fine for me!!

"JB Nion" wrote:

> I have the same/similar issue as "Desperate user" above. I get a "Service
> Pack 2"..."The system cannot find the file specified" yet it shows in the Add
> or Remove programs list.
>
> Can anyone help.
>
>
> "Desperate_user" wrote:
>
> > I have the same problem "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef could
> > not be located in the dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll" after installing SP2
> > and restarting my computer. Uninstallation of SP2 is also not working; i get
> > the message "Not able to perform uninstall".
> >
> > "" wrote:
> >
> > > I have tried to install service pack 2 several times. After installation, my
> > > desktop will not load. I have to perform a system restore to get back to my
> > > desktop. Can anyone help??