Win XP Home SP 2, incomplete install, won't uninstall

[wags22]

I'm working on a friends home computer running WinXP SP2. Lot's of spyware was running on it, got most of it cleaned up and blocked. I updated all the patches. My problem now is that Service Pack 2 didn't install completely and won't uninstall now. I've also tried system restore but it won't restore to any of the points created since I started working on it (and there aren't any others before that).

Is my final option to wipe and reload? Will a reload of XP w/o doing a clean install fix the problems?



Wags

"Everything you have read is a lie, including this.

 

[Jump1ng]

If you do a in-place installation of windows xp with a disk that doesn't have sp2 it should remove every trace of sp2.

Have a look here for more information on how to do this

http://www.jsiinc.com/subl/tip5800/rh5808.htm

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

 

[wags22]

Ok, I'm trying the upgrade reinstall, actually started it last night and decided to hold off until I could get more info.

First problem. Log errors. Says it can't uninstall SP2 or SP1.

What now?


Wags

"Everything you have read is a lie, including this.

 

[rotaman]

Frankly, save yourself some time and do a clean install. Once WinXP SP1 is installed, install SP2 right away, and then install all the progs your friend needs. I had a problem similar installing SP2 on my machine. I simply reinstalled XP clean, installed SP2, and reinstalled all my other progs, and now it works a charm. Unless your friend has some valuable information on it, nuke it.