Error message when windows update

[shamanking]

I was try to do windows update and the following error message occur:-

• Service Pack 3 installation did not complete
• Windows XP has been partially update and may not work properly

Please advise. Thank You.

 

[Bobbye]

It would be helpful to have information about your system:

Make and model:
Processor: Intel or AMD
Installed RAM:
Hard drive:

 

[gbhall]

There are still a lot of problems for a small number of people trying to update SP3.

Here is Microsoft's rules to make it work more often. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 also http://windowssecrets.com/2008/09/11/02-Dont-let-XP-Service-Pack-3-hose-your-system

Most common is failing to disable your anti-virus. Unplug the internet cable before you do that !

Just lately, another spanner is appearing in the works. It cannot copy a music file beethov9.wma to a particular location because on some PC's that location is system-locked. I am guessing that this goes back to PC's where originally there was not even SP2, and the location required is not there until PC's were originally installed with SP2 slip-streamed.

I'm not saying that is your exact problem, because when I've seen it, there is a clear warning message about the music file (but no information whatever about what is the problem with it), so you would be telling us, would you not?

 

[shamanking]

system: HP xw3400 Workstation
Processor: AMD
Install RAM : 2 GB
Hard disk : 160 SATA

 

[gbhall]

You need to record what went wrong - error messages, etc. For example, here is a quote from just one of the several links off the MS link I gave above. Until you give more precise idea of what happened, it is hard to find the right solution.

"How to determine whether the registry update has failed
Click Start, click Run, type %windir%\svcpack.log, and then click OK. The Svcpack.log file opens.
On the Edit menu, click Find.
In the Find what box, type DoRegistryUpdates failed, and then click Find Next.

If there was a registry update failure, a "DoRegistryUpdates failed" error message is displayed in the file. This indicates that an issue is preventing the registry update. This error message resembles the following:
xxxx.xxx: DoInstallationoRegistryUpdates failed.
xxxx.xxx: Access is denied.
xxxx.xxx: Message displayed to the user: Access is denied."

Here is a link to what to do about that and download the SP3 again - note this is the FULL service pack.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377/

 

[Bobbye]

Once an update fails, it usually prevents subsequent update. Run the Belarc Advisor- it will list all the updates, with symbol to show either success or failure. Removing the failed update should clear the way for new updates:

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

This is a free program that audits the system. It will show all hardware and software and locations. Handy to print out and keep on hand.

As for SP3, as far as I know, there is still some problem with SP3 and the AMD processors. I don't know if that was ever resolved. But if you got SP1, SP2 and the update until SP3 came out, you would be safe. You may be able to just get the individual update since SP3-if they are available.

 

[gbhall]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377 is for when you have a failed install and it refuses a second time. There is a patch to load before SP3 update for AMD processors on certain HP's where the image installed is for an Intel processor. This could well apply to you.