To eliminate any interactions with drivers or applications boot
to Safe mode (F8) and install the Service Pack from there.
You will need to download the Admin version prior to doing
this. The URL is
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en


wrote in message
...

-----Original Message-----
Okay, I've tried to install the XP Service pack (I'm
running Professional, btw) several times and it will
never finish the intall. It downloads, starts to
install, the wizard pops up and pretty soon after
the "archive" window opens, the install shuts down.
There is no error msg number to refer to, it just
says "Service Pack Install Stopped" in a little gray box
with a red circle w/an X. Please tell me, do I need the
SP? And if so, can I accomplish this some other way?

Thanks!
.
if you have a copy then it sounds like somebody else is
using the same cd key, if not send microsft an e-mail and
they should be able to help you