Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
I downloaded the SP3 ISO file, burned it to a CD, turned off AVG stuff, and tried again and had the same problem -- Access Denied error. I did find both the Windowsupdate.log and the setupapi.log but am not sure I can interpret it. I didn't do it in Safe Mode.
Clear all Event Viewer logs. Open command prompt (under admin account), enter:
chkdsk
volume: /r
Where
volume: is your system drive letter (e.g. usually C). Select "Y" to schedule chkdsk after restart, exit command prompt, then restart. It will take at least 45 minutes, possibly a little longer, unless chkdsk encounters some problem and cannot proceed.
When chkdsk is finished and Windows loads again, check the Event Viewer logs for "Winlogon" and view the chkdsk summary report. If it reports chkdsk could not complete or encountered problems it could not fix, then you should download the diagnostic utility from the hard drive manufacturer and run the long/extensive diagnostic test (which will take a lot longer than chkdsk). If chkdsk reports that everything is kosher or all problems were fixed, proceed.
Run Disk Cleanup, click on "More Options" tab (advanced) and select 'clean up' of all older System Restore points. It might take several seconds for Disk Cleanup to respond, then go back to the main Clean Up tab. Select everything except compress old files, then click OK.
Delete Temporary Internet Files and History (you shouldn't need to delete cookies or saved login and passwords).
Delete anything you find in C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Local Settings\Temp
You should have folder options set to show hidden and protected system files. Go to Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab > Advanced Settings:
- Check the box for Display the contents of system folders
- Check the box for Show hidden files and folders
- Clear the box for Hide protected operating system files
There is often a few hundred MB worth of junk located in the user profile temp folder, but I've seen several cases with well over 1GB. If you can't delete some files in this folder because they are currently in use, restart in Safe Mode then try again.
Check that free disk space on the system volume/partition is not less than 15%.
Uninstall/remove any devices or peripherals that aren't really required when installing updates, such as wireless adapters, printers, external hard drives, or USB hubs. Uninstalling the software and drivers for these devices in addition to removing the device would be a plus, since some device drivers and related software are on the compatibility blacklist that will prevent SP3 from installing.
Check if newer drivers are available for the graphics, audio, and LAN, by going to the device chip vendor website. e.g. If you have NVIDIA graphics, check NVIDIA's website. If you have Realtek audio, check Realtek's website. Don't get drivers from the motherboard manufacturer or PC company, because they typically stop posting driver updates a few to several months after the model is launched.
Download the latest updates for any browser toolbars you may have installed. e.g. Yahoo, Google, AOL, et. al. Get rid of any specialty toolbars such as Coupon Finders, Shopper Sites, Weather Bug, and that sorta junk.
Unload or close unnecessary third-party apps running in the System Tray next to the clock and volume icons. e.g. AIM, MSN, Google, ICQ, HP Image Zone or Photosmart Essentials, Free Games, Weather Bug, blah blah blah
Disable real-time scanning or protection features of all security apps, except Windows Firewall (if you are confident the system is free of security risks).
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