Why Does Windows XP SP3 Installation Fail with Access Denied?

[Doc Al]

I've been trying to load Service Pack 3 (SP3) onto a desktop running Windows XP Home edition without success. I've tried every trick I could find (such as the workarounds suggested by MS), but after it crunches for an hour I keep getting an "Access Denied" message.

Any ideas?

 

[technutz]

Doc:

Check out this KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

I hope that helps!

 

[Doc Al]

Thanks, technutz, but I've tried those already without success. (Those were the "MS workarounds" that I mentioned in my first post.)

 

[technutz]

What anti-virus and anti-spyware program are you using?

Here is what I would try next:
- Update your anti-virus & anti-spyware software and do a complete scan in normal mode and then again in safe mode looking for evil-ware. (this is just a sanity check for evil doers)
- Clear your temp files (this clears junk out)
- Run a CheckDisk and Defrag (this fixes damaged or corrupted files)
- Reboot and temporally disable your anti-virus and anti-spyware and try the SP3 update again.(this turns off apps that may be protecting files that MS needs to update)
- Re-enable your anti-virus and anti-spyware software after update or if it fails again.
(turn your protection back on)

If it fails again check with your computer vendor like Dell or HP for hardware driver updates like video, network, audio, etc. Some vendors offer online chat and can direct you to the file locations on their web sites. (there are known issues with certain vendors like ATI video drivers that have issues with the SP3)

Once your driver updates are done, then disable anti-virus and anti-spyware and try the update again. (again just to give MS access to files)

I hope that helps! :)

 

[Doc Al]

What anti-virus and anti-spyware program are you using?

McAfee, Spybot, & Windows Defender are running.

I'll give your suggestions a shot. Thanks!

 

[technutz]

Those are good programs. McAfee may have several services to turn off.

If all else fails contact Super Grover for some wabba wabba.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKRAR4qedeA&eurl

 

[Doc Al]

Actually, someone pointed out to me that I might have messed up the MS workaround. (Step 3 in the MS link you posted, modifying the registry.)

After I downloaded and installed Subinacl.exe, and ran the script (which took a while and gave a bunch of errors), I tried installing SP3 (as per MS instructions) without success. But shouldn't I reboot first (after running the script) before attempting to install SP3, otherwise those registry changes would not be in effect, right? (He also suggested I reboot in safe mode, then try the install again.)

What you think about that?

 

[technutz]

Yes it is always wise to reboot after an update as some of the updating does not complete until after a reboot due to certain system files being locked. The reboot clears the file lock allowing other updates to complete. Running the script is safe mode is not a bad idea. However I do not believe that doing the SP3 update in safe mode will work due to some of the system calls it is doing. All you might try the MS support link too with McAfee, Spybot and Defender disabled too. I do assume that you are logon with Admin rights doing the updates.

Give the it a try and see it that resolve the issue. :)