Cant install XP SP2

[Anubis]

ok so i finally got around to fixing my bros lappy, it just needed a new HDD, its a Dell Inspirion 8600, not that old and still works fine, i put the new HDD in and went about installing windows XP Pro which it did fine

i downloaded the big SP2 download and went about installing it, as its my normal routine for setting up a new system. however there is an issue, it just hangs on "Checking Product Key"
i have 2 legit keys for XP pro, one on the sticker on the lappy and 1 from my OEM CD, it activated fine when i activated it and such and the key i used (the OEM one) isn?t being used on anything else

it wouldn?t let me install with the key from the sticker on the lappy, im guessing because i was using the OEM disk to install not the one that came with the lappy, because i have no idea where it is.

so im at a loss of why it would hang where it does, the comp doesn?t lock, the installer just sits there, i left it going for a day and it made no progress nor did it cancel itself out

anyone know what?s up? does Dell somehow lock in the Key they use so only it can be used on the comp or some junk?

and i did try just going to winupdate, and initially there are 18 updates there and i can get 5 of them installed and on the 6th one it just doesn?t do anything

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Try installing the network install (or IT version or whatever it's called) and see if it gives you the same issues.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
Try installing the network install (or IT version or whatever it's called) and see if it gives you the same issues.

that is the one i have been trying, and i redownloaded it and tried again, still no go

 

[thegorx]

have you tried a repair reinstall using an oem sp2 disk or one that was slipstreamed sp2 ?
if that will work with oem

 

[Anubis]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: thegorx
have you tried a repair reinstall using an oem sp2 disk or one that was slipstreamed sp2 ?
if that will work with oem
</end quote></div>

i dont have a OEM SP2 disk

ive made a slipstreame install disk in the past from my OEM CD, i guess ill do that again, i was actually just thinking that that might work

 

[bruceb]

This procedure will fix it .. give it a try and let us know

There are 3 steps which we have to do to get the SP2 installed.


Steps are:


1) Please go into the CMD prompt (Start/Run --> cmd.exe )

2) Then type cd /d %windir%\inf and make sure we are in that
directory.

3) Then type ren oem*.inf oem*.old, it will go back to the prompt
after giving you some error (Do not worry about it)

4) Then type ren oem*.pnf oem*.old1, it will go back to the prompt
after giving you some error (Do not worry about it)

5) Then goto start - run - type "%windir%\inf" and you will see
the files in the folder.

6) Then find the file by name INFCACHE.1 and take a backup of it
to desktop (by copying it to desktop) and delete the INFCACHE.1
from c:\windows\inf.

7) Close all windows and reboot the computer to safe mode and
start the installation of SP2 and it should go fine.

 

[Anubis]

that does not seem to be working

 

[bruceb]

That was what I found by doing a Google on it .. seems a lot of people have had
issues when doing an update to an OEM install of XP .. basically you need to
rename the 2 files: oem.inf & oem.pnf that are currently on your hard drive and
also delete the infcache.1 file as above .. Only other idea would be to slipstream
the SP2 into your XP CD ... that info came from the ms forum

http://www.microsoft.com/commu...-87b1-e9d5943b706d&p=1

 

[Anubis]

its strange ive used the OEM install disk before on PCs with no issues whatsoever when updateing, this comp used to be running it and i never had this happen

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sounds like there is something wrong with the cryptographic services or something, if the install key check was hanging, and then some updates aren't working. But wait, how did you get far enough to install updates, if it hung at the install key?

Anyways, anyone that doesn't install from a SP2-slipstreamed copy of XP needs to be taught a lesson. Especially if you are installing to a HD bigger than 120GB. Microsoft would probably send you a copy of media for XP with SP2 integrated, if you are willing to pay for shipping.

 

[bruceb]

This may also be of help:

http://winhlp.com/WxSP2.htm

Is your copy of XP legal ? ? ... It is possiible your key
has been Blacklisted even though it may have been
a real bought copy

 

[Anubis]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: bruceb
This may also be of help:

http://winhlp.com/WxSP2.htm

Is your copy of XP legal ? ? ... It is possiible your key
has been Blacklisted even though it may have been
a real bought copy
</end quote></div>

it activated just fine, so no im guessing its not blacklisted

and yes its a legal OEM copy that ive had for years

larry, it hangs on the key check for the SP2 install not the initial install, installing works fine as well as activating, the hang occurs in the SP2 install, windows is up and running in all its SP1 glory ATM

im not installing it onto a HDD bigger then 120 GB so thats not an issue, and making a slipstreamed install is a step that really isnt needed when installing and updateing works fine

ill do it and try it but honestly its something that shouldent have to be done

and it takes 4-6 weeks to get crap from MS, ive had to do it before for an office update and its a PITA

 

[Anubis]

went ahead and slopstremed SP2 on a CD today, installed again and it worjed fine

IMO its stupid that i had to do that

anyone that tried to help here have any idea why crap like this happens

 

[bruceb]

That is the easiest way. As said earlier, the program doesn't have to check
for all the old files, remove them and replace with newer ones. And it does
not do the SP2 Key check that way.