XP SP2 Re-Install

[coolego1]

To make a long story short, here's what happened. I shocked my PC with Static Electricity while it was running and had to run a repair install on my XPSP2 PC using an XPSP1a CD. This made Windows think that it was SP1 again. Now, I need to get SP2 back so I can have my other updates (.NET Framework, etc) and my programs will stop flipping out because of the loss of some major system software.

When I try to install SP2 from the standalone exe, it hangs on "Running Processes Before Install" Any Suggestions?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: coolego1
To make a long story short, here's what happened. I shocked my PC with Static Electricity while it was running and had to run a repair install on my XPSP2 PC using an XPSP1a CD. This made Windows think that it was SP1 again. Now, I need to get SP2 back so I can have my other updates (.NET Framework, etc) and my programs will stop flipping out because of the loss of some major system software.

When I try to install SP2 from the standalone exe, it hangs on "Running Processes Before Install" Any Suggestions?

1) back up your important files, Favorites/Bookmarks, and so forth, so they'll survive if Things Go Terribly Wrong?.

2) boot the computer into Safe Mode

3) try running the standalone SP2 installer while the system's running in Safe Mode.



If the system is protected by a router to keep worms from attacking, then that's good. If not, then hopefully you have some other form of firewall protection while Windows is in SP1 state. If you don't have anything else, enable the Internet Connection Firewall (how-to) to start with.

If you need to reinstall in the end, take precautions against worms (scroll down to the first pic).

 

[coolego1]

Well, I tried booting to Safe Mode, and it still hangs during the same step of the installation.

I do have a Hardware Firewall, so I'm not as concerned, although I know that worms are always to be taken seriously.

A friend of mine told me he had the same problem and was able to work around it and reinstall SP2 by deleting some system files and/or registry keys, but he can't remember which ones he changed.

An interesting anecdote: The build ID in safemode (2600.xxxxx...) reads 'xpsp2' but the text that shows up next to the build says 'Service Pack 1'

EDIT: Never mind, I just reinstalled Windows all together.....