XP SP2 Beta BOMB!!!

[Ed]

I recently installed the XP SP2 on my XP Pro...well, just
about nothing works now...I can't do a system restore, I
can't uninstall, I can't copy files from one file to
another, I can't open most of the systems files,
etc...etc...etc...What's even worse is that I can't
access my XP Pro product identification number (PID) to
get some online support going...anyone have any ideas? I
tried reinstalling XP Pro but it says that I have a newer
version of windows and it won't let me reinstall...I
REALLY don't want to reformat the drive as I have files
on there and I can't even burn CD's to get the files
off...

[Shenan Stanley]

Ed wrote:
> I recently installed the XP SP2 on my XP Pro...well, just
> about nothing works now...I can't do a system restore, I
> can't uninstall, I can't copy files from one file to
> another, I can't open most of the systems files,
> etc...etc...etc...What's even worse is that I can't
> access my XP Pro product identification number (PID) to
> get some online support going...anyone have any ideas? I
> tried reinstalling XP Pro but it says that I have a newer
> version of windows and it won't let me reinstall...I
> REALLY don't want to reformat the drive as I have files
> on there and I can't even burn CD's to get the files
> off...

First off - "Release Candidates" should never be installed on production
machines. They are prone to problems, more so than the final release.. thus
their status.

You may have to perform a Repair Installation to fix this, not "Reinstall"
as you are trying to do. Perhaps if you did not know how to do some of
these things, you should never had tried to install "Release Candidate"
software? heh Anyway - if you perform a repair installation of Windows XP,
know that you will be vulnerable to worms you may now be patched for - so
disconnect from the Internet until you get the firewall back on. Then patch
first thing - but not with SP2 until you know more about it:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

How to perform a repair installation of Windows XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/tips/dougknox/doug92.asp
or
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm
or
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315341

Lastly, you should ask the people who may be in the same boat as you:
http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?icp=xpsp2&slcid=us

--
<- Shenan ->
--
The information is provided "as is", with no guarantees of
completeness, accuracy or timeliness, and without warranties of any
kind, express or implied. In other words, read up before you take any
advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions.

[S.Sengupta]

Hi,
http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?icp=xpsp2&slcid=us
is the right place to ask.
regards,
ssg MS-MVP
pronetworks.org

Ed wrote:

> I recently installed the XP SP2 on my XP Pro...well, just
> about nothing works now...I can't do a system restore, I
> can't uninstall, I can't copy files from one file to
> another, I can't open most of the systems files,
> etc...etc...etc...What's even worse is that I can't
> access my XP Pro product identification number (PID) to
> get some online support going...anyone have any ideas? I
> tried reinstalling XP Pro but it says that I have a newer
> version of windows and it won't let me reinstall...I
> REALLY don't want to reformat the drive as I have files
> on there and I can't even burn CD's to get the files
> off...

[Will Denny]

Hi

There are News Groups specific to SP2 - you might like to try those:

http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?icp=xpsp2&slcid=us

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


"Ed" > wrote in message
...
| I recently installed the XP SP2 on my XP Pro...well, just
| about nothing works now...I can't do a system restore, I
| can't uninstall, I can't copy files from one file to
| another, I can't open most of the systems files,
| etc...etc...etc...What's even worse is that I can't
| access my XP Pro product identification number (PID) to
| get some online support going...anyone have any ideas? I
| tried reinstalling XP Pro but it says that I have a newer
| version of windows and it won't let me reinstall...I
| REALLY don't want to reformat the drive as I have files
| on there and I can't even burn CD's to get the files
| off...

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In ,
Ed > typed:

> I recently installed the XP SP2 on my XP Pro...well, just
> about nothing works now...I can't do a system restore, I
> can't uninstall, I can't copy files from one file to
> another, I can't open most of the systems files,
> etc...etc...etc...What's even worse is that I can't
> access my XP Pro product identification number (PID) to
> get some online support going...anyone have any ideas? I
> tried reinstalling XP Pro but it says that I have a newer
> version of windows and it won't let me reinstall...I
> REALLY don't want to reformat the drive as I have files
> on there and I can't even burn CD's to get the files
> off...


You installed a test version of software. The reason it's a test
version and not a released version is that it still has problems.
It even comes with a warning not to install it on a production
system. Now you're surprised to find out you have problems?

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

[R. McCarty]

Restore your system partition with your last System Image
done before you installed SP2.

One of two following suggestions, might help you climb out
of this hole.

Boot Safe mode - Control Panel, Add/Remove programs,
Click "Show Updates" scroll to the bottom of the list and
click on Windows XP Service Pack 2.
-or-
Boot to Safe mode - Navigate to
C:\Windows\$ntServicePackUninstall$
locate the uninstall initiator module Spuninst.Exe and run it.

When restored, immediately investigate Drive Image, Ghost,
True Image, BootITng or a number of other Imaging products.


"Ken Blake, MVP" > wrote in message
...
> In ,
> Ed > typed:
>
>> I recently installed the XP SP2 on my XP Pro...well, just
>> about nothing works now...I can't do a system restore, I
>> can't uninstall, I can't copy files from one file to
>> another, I can't open most of the systems files,
>> etc...etc...etc...What's even worse is that I can't
>> access my XP Pro product identification number (PID) to
>> get some online support going...anyone have any ideas? I
>> tried reinstalling XP Pro but it says that I have a newer
>> version of windows and it won't let me reinstall...I
>> REALLY don't want to reformat the drive as I have files
>> on there and I can't even burn CD's to get the files
>> off...
>
>
> You installed a test version of software. The reason it's a test
> version and not a released version is that it still has problems.
> It even comes with a warning not to install it on a production
> system. Now you're surprised to find out you have problems?
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>