Thanks for the suggestion, but that didn't fix the problem. I'm still getting the same message.
Look does anyone here know how to fix this? I'd really to get this fixed so that I can have service pack 2 on my comp. Could anyone recommend someone who could tell me what to do? Thanks.
I have dealt with this problem before, and it's usually down to various failed prerequisite updates. Due to the way that Windows operates Windows Update, it's not exactly easy to reinstall failed updates. There are two ways that you can get around this. The first involving manually identifying all failed updates and downloading them manually, and the second is to completely reinstall Windows. I know the latter is not exactly the preferred choice, but it is guaranteed to work.
To manually update all failed updates:
1. Go to your Start Menu and type "Windows Update" into the search box, hit enter.
2. Click on "View update history"
3. Sort all the updates by "Status" by clicking on the column header.
4. Take a note of all the failed update codes. (They are usually in brackets and start with 'kb')
5. Head over to http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 and search for each failed update.
6. Download each update and restart your computer between updates.
You're probably thinking that this is a bit a of long winded way to re-download all failed updates. In some cases, deleting the history itself can prompt failed updates to redownload. Chances are it probably won't work, but I'll give you the instructions anyway.
#(Note : Whatever you do, do not delete the update history without first taking note of all the failed updates)
1. Go to your Start Menu and click on "Computer".
2. Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore .
3. Delete the all the contents within the DataStore folder.
This may or may not prompt failed updates to redownload. In my experience, it doesn't really fix the problem. I strongly suggest you address each failed update manually.
I have dealt with this problem before, and it's usually down to various failed prerequisite updates. Due to the way that Windows operates Windows Update, it's not exactly easy to reinstall failed updates. There are two ways that you can get around this. The first involving manually identifying all failed updates and downloading them manually, and the second is to completely reinstall Windows. I know the latter is not exactly the preferred choice, but it is guaranteed to work.
To manually update all failed updates:
1. Go to your Start Menu and type "Windows Update" into the search box, hit enter.
2. Click on "View update history"
3. Sort all the updates by "Status" by clicking on the column header.
4. Take a note of all the failed update codes. (They are usually in brackets and start with 'kb')
5. Head over to http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 and search for each failed update.
6. Download each update and restart your computer between updates.
You're probably thinking that this is a bit a of long winded way to re-download all failed updates. In some cases, deleting the history itself can prompt failed updates to redownload. Chances are it probably won't work, but I'll give you the instructions anyway.
#(Note : Whatever you do, do not delete the update history without first taking note of all the failed updates)
1. Go to your Start Menu and click on "Computer".
2. Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore .
3. Delete the all the contents within the DataStore folder.
This may or may not prompt failed updates to redownload. In my experience, it doesn't really fix the problem. I strongly suggest you address each failed update manually.
Thanks for chiming in Nahumi. I don't mind at all since I need all the help I can get. Are you sure this will work for me? I am using a downloaded version of the service pack. Not one that came thru updates or anything like that. I have two versions of the service pack and both are showing the same error. ONe that is 500 mb + and one that is 745 mb. Please let me know. Thanks.
Well…in theory it should work. Failed prerequisite updates is the top reason as to why SP2 fails to install. The best way to install SP2 is always through Windows Update. Once you get all the failed updates sorted, Windows Update should show SP2 as a normal pending update.
There is a chance that these problems are being caused by a slightly more complex issue, such as a malware infection or corrupt system files. I doubt it's the case, but we can have a closer look into the latter if the steps above don't work.
Microsoft occasionally releases service packs for its Windows operating systems to fix problems and add features. Each service pack is a superset of all previous service packs and patches so that only the latest service pack needs to be installed, and also includes new revisions.[42] However if you still have the earliest version of Windows XP on Retail CD (without any service packs included), you will need to install SP1a or SP2, before SP3 can be installed. Older service packs need not be manually removed before application of the most recent one. Windows Update "normally" takes care of automatically removing unnecessary files.
Microsoft occasionally releases service packs for its Windows operating systems to fix problems and add features. Each service pack is a superset of all previous service packs and patches so that only the latest service pack needs to be installed, and also includes new revisions.[42] However if you still have the earliest version of Windows XP on Retail CD (without any service packs included), you will need to install SP1a or SP2, before SP3 can be installed. Older service packs need not be manually removed before application of the most recent one. Windows Update "normally" takes care of automatically removing unnecessary files.
I'm just wondering if you followed any of the advice from the above link?
Cheers,
Lee
Hi Lee sorry for the late reply and that I overlooked you at first. I called the number you provided and they said the system files were corrupt and to try to reformat the comp and reinstall the service pack.
I called the number you provided and they said the system files were corrupt and to try to reformat the comp and reinstall the service pack.
Hmmm, I've never used the service as I'm in Oz, but I had a feeling they might say that. It's probably 1 of 2 standard answers to every problem. The other is probably "try turning the PC OFF and then ON again"
I called the number you provided and they said the system files were corrupt and to try to reformat the comp and reinstall the service pack.
Hmmm, I've never used the service as I'm in Oz, but I had a feeling they might say that. It's probably 1 of 2 standard answers to every problem. The other is probably "try turning the PC OFF and then ON again"
What do I do to fix this? 
I don't mind at all since I need all the help I can get. Are you sure this will work for me? I am using a downloaded version of the service pack. Not one that came thru updates or anything like that. I have two versions of the service pack and both are showing the same error. ONe that is 500 mb + and one that is 745 mb. Please let me know. Thanks. 
