11-03-2009, 10:30 AM
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#1
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Can't remove SP3
Hey guys. I'm trying to do a repair install of XP SP2. I can not uninstall SP3. I have tried all of the methods found here, except method 4.
Method 1 - There is no option to remove.
Method 2 - The file doesn't exist.
Method 3 - My System Restore doesn't work. "system restore application has encountered a problem and needs to close"
Method 4 - I'm awaiting an external hard drive to do a backup. Is it safe to proceed with this method before I do a back up?
Thanks,
Chris
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11-03-2009, 03:11 PM
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#2
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premiere Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 24,633
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No, it is not safe to use ANY method without backing up your files.
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11-04-2009, 03:59 PM
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#3
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 574
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You cannot back down the SP3 upgrade by any normal method that I know of. There are no uninstall or in the Add/Change Programs panel or in the folder. I did look at the linked post from Msoft for downloading a wizard but I have never seen that recommended before.
Why do you want to do the downgrade? Was it having a problem?
I don't know about using the System Restore to do the backdown. Since the upgrade makes a lot of changes, it may break the restore thread.
The reinstall process will not work to move to an older version from a newer version. The Windows CD will refuse to do that. Also if you have a generic OEM version of the XP software it will not not do a reinstall anyway. It has a limitation built into it since it's supposed to be for system builders.
The only way I know to do the backdown is by doing a fresh install of XP. Which will work, but you will have to reinstall applications. And you want to do a backup before you try any of these methods if you value what you have on the drive.
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11-04-2009, 09:24 PM
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#4
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The Computer Slayer
Staff
Premiere Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Northeastern USA
Posts: 12,266
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The first question you should probably address is: why are you trying to uninstall SP3? If you're having problems or getting error messages, please describe them as there may be another solution.
__________________
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11-05-2009, 08:56 AM
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#6
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Force Flow
The first question you should probably address is: why are you trying to uninstall SP3? If you're having problems or getting error messages, please describe them as there may be another solution.
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It would be temporary, so that I can do a repair install with my SP2 CDs. With SP3 on my machine, I get a message saying it can't be done because I have a newer version already installed. |
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11-05-2009, 10:25 AM
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#7
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Forum Administrator
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
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Best solution:
Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
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11-05-2009, 12:15 PM
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#8
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
Best solution:
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That will be my first option when my back up drive arrives. Thank you. |
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11-05-2009, 01:45 PM
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#9
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Ugh, apparently this can't be done with Media Center Edition.
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11-05-2009, 07:01 PM
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#10
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Forum Administrator
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That is correct.
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11-05-2009, 09:03 PM
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#11
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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And now Windows won't recognize my external hard drive. Super.
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11-05-2009, 11:38 PM
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#12
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 574
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What is the external hard drive - make and model please? And what connection does it use to connect to the PC?
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11-06-2009, 12:07 AM
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#13
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by systempat
What is the external hard drive - make and model please? And what connection does it use to connect to the PC?
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Seagate Momentus, connects via USB. Works fine on another XP machine, Also works on my machine (same one I'm having XP problems with) running Ubuntu. |
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11-06-2009, 01:01 AM
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#14
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 574
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That's strange. Did you have it plugged in at startup or attach after you got to Windows? Not sure it makes a difference, but if it is the first time it might trigger the PNP better if plugged in after you get to the windows desktop.
Is there any chance the services for pnp might be turned off?
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11-06-2009, 01:36 AM
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#15
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by systempat
That's strange. Did you have it plugged in at startup or attach after you got to Windows? Not sure it makes a difference, but if it is the first time it might trigger the PNP better if plugged in after you get to the windows desktop.
Is there any chance the services for pnp might be turned off?
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Not sure, how would I check? BTW none of my USB devices are working now (printer, mouse). The Printer stopped working a few days ago, the mouse stopped working tonight after I followed a Microsoft tutorial.
I have a feeling it may be something more. I removed the external hard drive from it's case and connected it directly to the mobo and it still won't recognize it, Ubuntu does though.
Getting pretty frustrated. I may just do a fresh install on the backup drive at this point. |
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11-06-2009, 06:43 AM
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#16
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premiere Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
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Pull your drive, use an adapter to connect it to another computer, rescue your files, then put the drive back, wipe it, and do a clean install.
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11-06-2009, 11:42 AM
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#17
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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I don't have an adapter. For the mean time I have installed Windows (barebones, no updates) on the temporary drive. I figure I have two options:
1. Copy all my files to the temp drive, then wipe and reinstall on the permanent drive.
2. Continue with updates and other software on the temp drive till I have it working properly. Move everything back to the formatted permanent drive. Will this work?
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11-06-2009, 04:41 PM
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#19
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 574
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It does sound like you are down to doing a fresh install. Of your 2 options, I would lean towards the first one. It's not ideal to use an external USB drive as the C: drive with the operating system. First reason is because it is slower. And if you take the drive somewhere else, then the PC is dead without it.
About the Services. It sounds like you probably never went there but you never know what some script could have done. So for FYI. Go to Start >> Control Panel >> Admin Tools >> then Services (last choice). Click the Extended view tab but you can use either one. Drag the name column wider so you can see the names better. Look for Plug and Play. It should be set to to Startup Type of Automatic and Status of Started. If those are not the settings, double-click and it opens a dialog box that allows you to change the settings. The other one is Universal Plug and Play Device Host. On mine it is set to Manual and the status is Stopped. Just make sure it's not set to Disabled.
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11-09-2009, 09:12 AM
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#20
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
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Thanks guys. I think I will continue to run on my back up drive for a few days. I have all the updates and it is performing well. This way I can make sure I don't accidentally delete something that I need. Then I will clone my backup drive to the original. If I have any more problems you will know .
Chris
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