Service Pack 2 won't install on Windows XP

Windows is really an enigma to me. It is giving me problems which I just can't comprehend. I am running a MacPro with 3 Gb of memory. I have installed Parallels Build 3188. Then I installed Windows XP, which took dozens of attempts before it finally installed. It is very crashy but it will run after several restarts. However, I cannot install SP2. It starts to install and after it is about 2/3's done, I get a "Failed to Install" message. Any Ideas?

 

Have you tried installing with SP2 as a fresh install?

 

Hi Eru, What do you mean "as a fresh install?" I downloaded SP2 from the Microsoft site and tried to install it after I installed XP. What else should I have done? And thanks for your response.

 

It is preferabel to do the install using a copy of XP that already includes SP2.

 

Try installing the original retail release of Parallels and using that to get XP installed and upgraded. Then upgrade Parallels to 3188. 3188 seems to have serious problems during XP installation, at least it does for me.

 

You could try downloading xp sp2 from microsofts site and installing with that. Not sure whether this can still be downloaded or not. Here is link:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

 

Thanks KSN. I checked it out and they caution that this particular download is for multiple units and servers. They recommend going to the Microsoft Download Center and downloading the single version and that's the same one that I have been unsuccessful installing.

 

The version in the link is the FULL SP2 upgrade. The download center attempts to just download the portions of SP2 you're PC requires. Try using the full blown upgrade.

 

This has to be true, but why? If it´s true then I´ll strongly recommend using build 1970 to do the work. The link to that build should be anywhere around this forum.

 

thats just because it contains everything that sp2 was intended to have, rather than the download centers version which scans your machine and decides what you actaully need. There is no harm in getting the full SP2 from that url and using it on your xp.

 

Thank you wingdo and darkone. I'll try the full version and post my success or failure in a day or so.

 

Sorry. It was a failure. About 1/2 way through the install it would crash. I tried it about 5 times with the same results. I am stymied.

 

Wouldn't it just be faster to slipstream?

 

Maybe. If I knew how to do it.

 

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html

it was the first google result

 

darkone, you must have been feeling lucky... I would have taken a strong bet with search terms like 'slipstream' you sure would be...

 

Thanks. I checked it out and found I can't do it because I have an old version of Windows XP that has to be updated. Here's what they say about that:

If you get the error:

This service pack can't be integrated error

This is caused by the fact that your Windows XP CD contains updates that will be automatically installed when you run setup. This type of CD's will usually be from larger OEM suppliers (like Dell, HP, or others).

You cannot use this type of CD to create a slipstreamed SP2 install.

First, the files will be extracted, and next they will be integrated in your Windows XP files: