Question About SP3

[MakaniAnn]

Hi, i have Windows XP and was trying to download sp3 from the microsoft update and think theres something wrong with the download, It say Download size: 0 KB , 0 minutes, Is there a link to download it somewhere, I tried Microsoft.com but there just for multiple computers and Businesses. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You,
Makani

 

[edfair]

You can download it from there. Can't find the CD I have it stored on but think it was somewhere in the 350mb range.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[BadBigBen]

Download links:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Windows-XP-SP3-Download-90001.html

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[MakaniAnn]

Thank you for the links, I tried downloading from Softedia and received this error.

Service Pack 3 Setup cannot update a checked (debug) System with a free (retail) version of Service pack 3, or vice versa.

Then i tried from microsoft site and got this error.

C;DocumentsandSettings/Makani\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\2245AMVA\WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU[1].exe is not a valid Win32application.

D you know what these mean and how it can be fixed, I am having a really hard time getting this darn thing downloaded! Any suggestions would be appreciated, Thank you.

 

[BadBigBen]

Windows XP SP3 Setup Error: Cannot Update a Checked (Debug) System with a Free (Retail) Version of Service Pack 3

http://www.askvg.com/windows-xp-sp3...with-a-free-retail-version-of-service-pack-3/

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[flyboytim]

The following links offer a solution:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/heaths/archive/2005/10/17/481972.aspx

http://social.answers.microsoft.com...l/thread/80380fa9-3614-4cd1-a2c4-f22ab04a880a

The former gives this explanation and caveats:

The reason is that update.exe packages only install retail bits on retail builds and checked bits on checked builds. You can spoof Windows patches in order to install retail bits on checked builds, though, which is necessary in this case because checked bits of Windows Installer are not available. This does, however, require a registry change so I must give you the standard warning:

"Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk."

Also, because you're installing retail bits the debug symbols for the previous checked bits installed with the operating system will be incorrect. The retail redistributable will not clean these up so install the retail redistributable on a checked build at your own risk. If you want the correct symbols, you might backup the previous symbol files and use the public symbol server to access stripped public symbols.

I cannot comment, but I guess that a full backup should be done before attempting the update following the registry edit in case things go badly wrong. At least, make sure a recent restore point has been saved.

http://www.fxxxingcomputers.co.uk

 

[MakaniAnn]

Thank you for the help, I was going to go ahead and do a fresh install, Since last year when i had to do it from a bad virus ever since then it's been glitchy and doesn't seen to run very well. I just want to start over again, i saved everything that i wanted to save but am having a problem finding the product key number! The one that came with my computer seems to be wrong so i used KeyFinder pro to locate it and it says it's not right either. Why is it telling me that it's wrong when i used the same number last year? What do i suppose to do? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You

 

[flyboytim]

Some Antivirus packages flag Keyfinder Pro as malware - hacktool - it is not dangerous unless it has some trojan or virus attached.

...problem finding the product key number! The one that came with my computer seems to be wrong so I used KeyFinder pro to locate it and it says it's not right either. Why is it telling me that it's wrong[/] when i used the same number last year...

I thought Keyfinder just tells you what the the installed product key is - I don't know if anything is saying that the key is "wrong", just different from what you think it should be. Microsoft may say that your products are "not genuine", but that is something else.

Belarc Advisor will tell you about your system including the installed product keys for Windows and Office.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

You may have an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license key on your Windows installed on your machine, which is different from the key on the sticker (COA) usually attached to the machine. Your PC manufacturer does that to automatically activate the installation for the new owner. If you reinstall Windows you should use the key on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and then activate Windows within 30 days.

http://www.fxxxingcomputers.co.uk

 

[MakaniAnn]

Thank you for the links, The keyFinder did the trick. I am having another problem, I had to do a fresh install last year from a virus, My hubby did it for me and he installed the wrong damn operating system,It should of been Windows XP Media Edition, Well he installed Windows XP Professional instead! no wonder it didn't run right.

I got to the part where it said choose a operating system, Which i chose Windows XP Media Edition, I ended up with a black screen that said (Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt.

<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.

Reinstall a copy of the above file.

Please can you tell me how to reinstall the missing file above. I've been out of a computer for 2 days now, Please any help would be very much appreciated.

Thank You

 

[BadBigBen]

see if this is of any help:

HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt

If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured

1. Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
2. At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
4. Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file
5. Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it
6. Take out the CD ROM and type exit

source: OneComputerGuy...

or you may opt to try the InPlace Upgrade method (installing Windows over itself)...

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978788

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[MakaniAnn]

I tried to do that but am lost on #3 & #4, Lets just say i'm not very computer savvy..

 

[BadBigBen]

OK, you will need to have the XP CD in the CD/DVD ROM, then boot the PC with that CD...

at the first interaction screen, it will ask you to boot into the RECOVERY CONSOLE, do so...

it will then ask you which Windows you wish to LOG into... (part 3)... here you will need the Administrator password, note: on a regular install the administrator password will be blank...

once logged in, then apply #5 (skipping #4)...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[MakaniAnn]

I appreciate you taking the to help me, I feel like such an idiot, I got to to a black screen that says Microsoft Windows XP <TM> Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type EXIT to quit the recovery console and restart computer.

1: C: \ Windows

Which Windows installation would you like to log on to
< To cancel, Press ENTER>?

What do i type next to the ? And what if you don't have a password or don't know what it is..

 

[BadBigBen]

Hola,

What do i type next to the ?

the number that corresponds to the installed Windows OS that one is trying to log into... in your case that would be '1' ...

And what if you don't have a password or don't know what it is..

try the default password, just hit the ENTER / RETURN button...

if a password was set and you do not have it or remember it, then there are ways to reset the password but it would be a bit more complicated... here I would suggest GOOGLE as to 'how to reset windows password'...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[flyboytim]

When you hit 1 to select the windows installation, then press enter, then press enter again if there is no administrator password, you come to a command prompt>

Assuming D: is the CD drive, type the following:

EXPAND D:\I386\HAL.DL_ C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\HAL.DLL

and then press enter

This writes a new hal.dll to your system32 directory

Then type exit, press enter and reboot.

http://www.fxxxingcomputers.co.uk

 

[MakaniAnn]

I give up, I tried everything above and it's just not working! When my hubby reinstalled it for me last year he reinstalled the wrong operating system it really screwed it up, I'm now getting (This system cannot find the file or directory specified, or the command is not reconized.

This is probally a stupid question but isn't there any free software that will replace missing or corrupt files? If not i hate to reinstall the other one again. I don't like the NTFS file system. I really need to get my computer back up and running again.

 

[flyboytim]

It sounds like you have reached a low point.

I have lost track too.

This started with being unable to do a SP3 update download from Microsoft updates, then could not install a downloaded SP3 full package, then a missing product key, then a wrong version installed, then a missing Hal.dll...

Are you going to reinstall? Do you have the right product key? Are you going to do a repair install, or a clean install? The first should keep any data and programs, the second will wipe the disk clean.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

http://www.fxxxingcomputers.co.uk

 

[BadBigBen]

Sorry to hear that you hit a wall...

I know it can be frustrating, when dabbling around in the dark...

Flyboytim, has given a good suggestion, but alas if you cannot log onto the Recovery Console...

at this point, it would be more prudent to go ahead and get help, basically paying to get the OS installed or fixed...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[MakaniAnn]

flyboytim i do have the product key now, I was trying to do a clean install and found out that theres a missing or corrupt Windows file root>\system32\hal.dll. Then i went to do a repair install and now getting This error message this system cannot find the file or directory specified, or the command is not recognized. I've been trying get the darn thing reinstalled any way i can, Since i started this process everything is wiped clean! It's been very frustraing. I appreciate you guys that's been trying to help me.

 

[MakaniAnn]

I forgot to mention after the commands are not recognized, it also says type HELP for a list of supported commands..When i did that I don't know what commands to click on.