PCTech Forums

Hi

Windows Update presented me with XP Service Pack 3. As the installation process went along, Spybot Search & Destroy Resident kept popping up asking to confirm registry changes, which I allowed. However after several of these, the installation stopped with the message:-

Service Pack 3: 'Access Is Denied'

SP3 then went about undoing certain things it had already changed, and then finally informed me that it could 'not complete, and Windows XP may now not work properly'. As SP3 'uninstall' (?) was busy 'cleaning/stabilising', Spybot Resident continued asking me about several registry changes, which I allowed. It is possible I then may have 'denied' some change requests as SP3 was cleaning/stabilising, I cannot remember exactly.

I found this thread from Microsoft, which suggests what to do with a failed, part install of SP3:-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

I realised I should have turned off Spybot Resident before beginning, so no registry changes would be questioned during installation.

The above link advised me to download the 'full' SP3 (Network Installation Package for IT Professionals), and manually install:-

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en

First, I rebooted the computer, and noticed there was a new screen upon booting up with 'Please Wait....' displayed, then the desktop took a little while longer than usual to load up - apart from that, XP appeared to be working OK. I then downloaded the full SP3, turned off Spybot Resident (and also NOD32 just in case), and began installing SP3.

After about 15 minutes of installation, the error box with 'Access Is Denied' again appeared, and the installation failed again as before. However there were (apparently) no Spybot Resident obstructions this time, since I had right-clicked and turned it off from the system tray at the bottom right ('Exit Spybot Resident'). I expected trying to install SP3 again would overcome any previously problematic registry changes?

This is where I am now. XP seems to be working OK, but I have a partly-upgraded OS which I must stabilise ASAP. Can someone help me with finally getting SP3 successfully installed, or failing that removing the parts I have updated altogether?

Thanks for any help.

PS: My computer spec is below - in case it is significant, running 'dxdiag' shows OS as XP 5.1 2600 but does not mention 'Service Pack 2', which I know was installed prior to this. My System Properties however do show Service Pack 2 installed...

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AMD Athlon 64 x 2 3800+, MMX, 3D Now (2 CPUs)
1024mb RAM
XP Home Edition 5.1 (2600)
Nvidia 7900GT/GTO, DX 9
Creative SB X-Fi Audio (A400)

Zion,

Did you download and install Subinacl.exe and then reset the registry and the file permissions?

No, this is the first I have ever heard of subinacl.exe.

I see from Google what this tool does, but could you direct me on how I should use it for my current circumstances?

Zion,

Step by step instructions are found in the MS article that you already referenced.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
About half way down the page you will find "ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING" this is the section dealing with subinacl.exe

Good luck and make sure you backup your registry first!

Ah sorry, I didn't examine the page properly

I'll get to it now.