Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Windows XP SP2 not loading on laptop

0 helpful
16 replies

by rockalah 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I have made three attempts to install Windows XP SP2 on my laptop that has Windows XP Pro. Each time I was unable to boot after the installation as my computer keeps restarting. Fortunately I remember my teachings of making a complete backup before doing this major installation.

One thing that I did notice is that the copy right page where Windows XP starts, was changed. Before the installation this page would read: Windows XP Professional

After the installation this page reads: Windows XP

I don't know who to contact about this or what to do about it. I have had to restore my laptop to its state before the XP SP2 installation. I really don't like feeling that I have wasted my time and efforts. What can I do?

16 replies

by bfilmfan

There are several methods to remove Xp Service Pack 2 from your system. I am assuming that you ran the update from the Microsoft site and did not re-install Windows XP with service pack 2 on the system.

You cannot remove Windows XP SP2 if you installed the service pack on a computer that already had Windows XP SP2 installed. The removal program will roll back to the version of Windows that existed before your installation. In this case, the program will roll back to the first installation of Windows XP SP2.

If you install Windows XP SP2 on a computer that is already running Windows XP SP2, you will create a new uninstall folder on your hard disk drive. This new folder will use 50-100 megabytes of disk space. Every time that you install Windows XP SP2, a new folder is created.

Use any one of the following methods to remove Microsoft Windows XP SP2 from your computer:

Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel

Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder

Use the System Restore process

Use Recovery Console

Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel

1. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Click to select the Show Updates check box.
3. Click Windows XP Service Pack 2, and then click Remove.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.
5. Perform a system restore to return the system to a point before Windows XP SP2 was installed.
6. Click Start, click Run, type sfc /scannow , and then click OK. This will return the file system to the order that it had before you installed Windows XP SP2.

by bfilmfan

Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder

1. Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. When the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard starts, click Next.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.

Use the System Restore process

1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.
3. Click the date that you installed Windows XP SP2, and then click Installed Window XP Service Pack 2 in the Restore Point box.
4. Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.

by bfilmfan

Use Recovery Console

Remember if you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft refuses to guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

If you cannot successfully remove Windows XP SP2 by using one of the previous methods, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk in your floppy disk drive or insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive, and then restart your computer.

Note When you receive the following message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD:

Press any key to boot from CD

Note Your computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD drive or the DVD drive, see the documentation that came with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

2. When you receive the Welcome to Setup message, press R to start the Recovery Console.

NoteMultiple options will appear on the screen.

3. Select the Windows XP installation in question.

Note You must select a number before you press ENTER, or the computer will restart. Typically, only the 1: C:\Windows selection is available.

4. If you are prompted to type an administrator password, do so. If you do not know the administrator password, press ENTER. (Typically, the password is blank.)

Note You will not be able to continue if you do not have the administrator password.

by bfilmfan

5. At the command prompt, type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst, and then press ENTER.

Note After you complete this step, you cannot stop the removal process.

6. At the command prompt, type batch spuninst.txt, and then press ENTER.

Note The Spuninstal.txt file appears. As the file scrolls down, you will see errors and files being copied. This is normal behavior.

7. After Windows XP SP2 is removed, type exit, and then press ENTER.

8. Restart your computer in Safe Mode. To do this, press F8 as the computer restarts.

Note After you restart, the system may lock up with a black screen. (Your mouse will work.) In this case, restart again by turning the computer off and then back on. The second restart will let you to log on.

9. When your computer restarts, Windows Explorer (Explorer.exe) does not run, and the Windows icons and the Start button are unavailable. To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

a. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to start Task Manager.

b. Click File, and then click New Task (Run...).

c. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

d. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs

e. On the right side of the viewing pane, right-click ObjectName, click Modify, type LocalSystem in the Value data box, and then click OK.

f. Restart your computer

10. Use one of the previous methods to remove Windows XP SP2 from your computer.

In the event that all of this fails, you do have your backup to fall back on.

by bfilmfan

From an email message I received on the issue:

From: rockalah@comcast.net
Subject: Windows XP SP2 installation crash
Message:
Hi - you have giving me a lot of useful info, but, you are missing what I am saying. I cannot boot up after the install and I restored my
computer from a backup. There are no directories for temp install files of any kind - so there is nothing to remove. I cannot boot in safe or
normal modes. Thanks for your input.

by bfilmfan

Based on yout email message, you performed a restore from your backup. Did you do that via Recovery Console?

Where in the boot process are you seeing a failure?

If you press F8 and then choose boot with a bootlog file, what are you seeing in it?

by sgt_shultz

i have not heard of the 'Professional' falling off the XP after sp2 install, so i think that is a red herring but i am bad about reading the screen ( eek)
I would change the System setting to halt on system error. Control Panel/System/startup and recovery.
this is almost for sure caused by 2) things. a driver that is spitting up over xp sp2, combined with the default setting of windows system error recovery to reboot on error. sigh.
i would first check all the basic stuff. good antivirus? how much free, defragged hd space because i am hoping you have enuf for a second 'rescue' installation of xp. i think it needs almost a gb?
any new hardware lately? you laptop guys are always getting toys for it. new touchpad, scanner, modem, usb hd, Palm, printer, camera, wireless, etc etc. if so, consider that device might be contributing to problem. we can shotgun this that way or we can gather more data about the error and maybe home right in on the problem...
first, i would visit my laptop mfg website to see if any known problmes and fixes for your laptop and xp in general and sp2 specifically. i would flash my bios to latest version, keeping a backup so i can return to current version (which you won't). i would download and install motherboard drivers and install latest version of all my other drivers. don't forget printer drivers...i would think about what new software installed lately?...
then i would try xp sp2 again. maybe it is fixed now. but maybe i am wrong (gad) and you get same problem.
now because of recovery setting, you should stop at Blue Screen Of Death. post the error you see as completely as possible or research it yourself at support.microsoft.com
if you can use limited recovery console to fix the problem you won't need second 'rescue' installation. but if you install xp into another folder, maybe 'xprescue' then you can always boot to that and tinker with all the tools to fix your bad install
hope this helps a little

by sgt_shultz

remember, without a 'rescue' installation, you will need a Recovery Console method to recover by ininstalling xp2, so that would be BFilm's answer...

by wcp

Do BIOS flash.

You're right. There is no more Home or Pro logo after SP2. This is by design.

by vjhemant

I would like to request you to please update the drivers of all the devices from the LAPTOP manufactures site with respect to Win XP Versions. also some of the Manufacturers are prviding support specifically for Win XP SP2,do chekc for that.

This discussion is closed to new replies.