Win XP - Can't Update

Hi... I am a new Parallels 5 user (trial on a new Macbook Pro). I have successfully installed Parallels (using the defaults) and then installed WinXP Pro from my old original disc using a license retired from another computer. XP runs fine but when I try to update to Service Pack 2 or 3 via Windows update, the download completes, the initialization completes, but the install hangs every time just after it starts.

I did all this so that I can use Outlook Web Access (I have mail on 2 different exchange servers and Entourage can only access one) to access exchange mail with the full functionality that is only possible through Internet Explorer. I actually have this functionality now, but it just seems wise to update XP to the current service pack (3) which I can't seem to do.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

 

Steve,

What do you mean by "process hangs"? Is it Windows Updater that hangs or Parallels Desktop itself ?
Did you try downloading standalone SP3 installer from Microsoft site (not through automatic updater) ?
I would suggest you to try that as this problem could be caused by on-demand download and slow network connection, etc.

Regards,
Max

 

What he means "hangs" is that it stops or it gets a memory read error, quits installation, may restart, but never gets to an actual booted XP OS screen. Or it gets to about 36 minutes left and just hangs there. This is a well documented problem here for years really, and there are two things that seem to be critical. With new iMacs that have a large amount of RAM, >4G, the VM assistant sets the default RAM value too high;- it should be max of 768, not 1G. Also it seems like XP does not like the airport network cards. Those need to be disconnected during install via the icons across the bottom of the install window.

When using a Macbook with less RAM, the VM assistant set the RAM at 768;- that made it go smoother, but it still stalled when it got to device installation. My theory is that it is the airport card, since it worked with that set to "disconnect" (down where the spider web icon is) at the bottom of the install screen. After that everything went smooth all the way through SP2 and SP3.

Persist. Remember it is Windows. Even with all the problems this is the fastest I have ever gotten a clean Windows install.

 

One must have SP1 or SP2 installed prior to installation of SP3, Max. Microsoft's Orders. Win XP will not take SP3 no matter if you have stand alone or auto updated without one of the prior service packs installed already. The hang-up problem is that the RAM default settings are two high with the newer RAM rich computers. If it is installed on a machine with 2G, then the VM assistant sets the RAM lower, at 768 instead of 1G. Try it. You'll see what I am talking about. Oh, and early XP, without the service packs hangs at 36 minutes on the airport network cards. Disconnect it until SP3 install. (Two full days of installing / deleting / installing experience speaking here!)