BleepingComputer.com: Problems with XPsp2

Hello all,

I have been struggling with this prob for a long time. Whenever I attempt to install xpsp2 my computer freezes. I have updated BIOS, expanded memory, added external HD for extra space, etc. On the MS forum (who insisted that the only reason I couldn't use sp2 was the result of malware) I was directed to SAS, which I have run and removed all malware, recently was infected with a nasty trojan, but using SAS, Mbab, DrWeb was able to delete all. Set a new system restore. Ran a disk cleanup, defrag, etc. According to all the scanners and people at this very helpful site, my system is clean. I have tried sp2 install from MS website and their OEM disk with same negative results.

The problem being I can't update some of my programs without sp2: Zone Alarm, AVG, games, etc.

Now I will attempt another install of xpsp2. Any further suggestions?

Thanks to any and all replies!

Did you try installing it in safe mode

Other items to check:

http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/SP2/common.php

http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-x...all/157704.html

Well since you are planning on starting over fresh and using your existing HDD then I would do a full WIPE on the drive. You can go to http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm and run the a-kill on the HDD several times. This utility is free and I use it on all computers I plan on rebuilding. What you get for free is a utility that can run just one pass but nothing keeps you from running it manually several times.

To be honest...you ought to be trying to install SP3, but it's your system...

You might take a look at:

Windows Xp Service Pack 3 (sp3) Information - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic146857.html

SP1 Needed To Install SP3 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

AumHa Forums • Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Installation Guide - http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33296

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3) - http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

You will notice that one of the suggestions...is to ensure that the system is free of malicious malware.

You haven't provided any detail re the error messages you get...when attempting your installs.

Louis

Thanks Louis,

The option of installing sp3 occurred to me, but beleive me, I am not advanced enough to know the difference, so thank you for the advice, I will check out all the links you provided and report back.

To other replies, thank you:

I did try the safe mode install. To no avail.

I did try wiping, though not several times- any others care to comment on this method of wiping manually several times?

Thanks all.

Generally, I find deleting the existing partition and creating a new one is sufficient for any clean install.

Except if there is a problem with the hard drive. Such can checked by running a disk diagnostic utility from the hard drive manufacturer's website.

Hard Drive Installation and Diagnostic Tools - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic28744.html

Louis

OK,

So I went with installing sp3; while it is an improvement upon the results I had with sp2, similar problems exist:

Upon install and reboot there were NO error messages. There were some corrupted files which I was already aware of through SAS that were corrected via Chkdsk utility.

Windows now hangs and lags seriously. From reboot or login, it takes windows 5 min. to load. Once I can access IE7, depending upon the site, it takes 1 or 2 minutes for pages to load.

I have run multiple SAS, Mbam, and DRWeb scans that show no infection.

I am also running Zone Alarm.

One member suggested there may be a security overlap software conflict.

Please advise, I have plenty of memory, hard drive space, apparently no malware, what else?

Thanks!

If it takes 5 minutes for XP to load...you need to take a look at your startup items. Chances are that you have items loading at startup that have no need to do so...and this delays the boot process.

I would also suggest using a different firewall than ZA, since it can be troublesome on some systems. Actually, the Windows firewall is sufficient for users who don't want the added details/controls inherent in a 3d-party firewall...I would suggest running that for a trial period and seeing if it makes a difference.

Louis

My startup menu is very lean: only 2 items checked; I disabled ZA, turned on Windows Firewall. Taskmgr shows 27 processes running. This does not seem to make a significant difference and these were not issues before sp3. Should I uninstall ZA?

I have not exhausted all the info on the links above, so I will continue to research, but please let me know if you have further recommendations.

FWIW: I currently have about 45 processes running when I review Task Manager...and it doesn't take this SP3, Asus, X2 4400 system very long to boot.

You may want to use a program like AutoRuns for Windows - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinte...s/bb963902.aspx to take a look at startup items (Logon tab only).

If you havent' ruled out malware items (by having malware-defense programs employed/updated), then that's another area to explore.

Lastly, you use a program like the following to remove unnecessary drivers which may be loading, impacting boot: How to uninstall hidden devices, drivers, and services - Tech-Recipes.com - http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_instal...on_tips504.html

The only other item I could logically consider would be...inadequate amount of RAM.

Louis

I have not ruled out malware by any means: upon further inspection of my startup menu, I discovered Ctfmon, which according to the BC database is not a good thing. I deleted it, rebooted, ran Mbam, SAS (did not show anything), and Cftmon at some point reappears in my start menu. Could this be the problem? Please advise.

The file ctfmon.exe...is (normally) just a pest to those who want to know why a given process is running on the system. I have it installed/running on my systems...because I don't think it merits very much of my attention. As I indicated before...I don't experience any detectable problems caused by anything running on my systems.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282599

My experience is...this installs anytime I install MS Office.

OTOH...there is a file named ctfmon.dll...which is not so harmless.

http://www.auditmypc.com/process/ctfmon.asp AND http://www.pchell.com/virus/mydoomb.shtml

You need to determine which file is on your system and active.

Louis

hello,

I believe tha you computer copies XP installtion files to your HDD and restarts, when the XP logo apperas and the blue banner is filling, your computer freezes. If this is what's happening, then you have no choice but to change your CPU.

Regards

It seems my ctfmon is legit. I ran autoruns and deleted and/or disabled some unused drivers. Rebooted, no big difference. Window takes a long time to load and then the best way for me to navigate is with taskmanager.

I will again peruse the above links for details, but I think I've done this before when attempting to run sp2: lots of stalling and hanging, no apparant malware, plenty of RAM and disc space.

Reinstall in safemode? I will keep running mbam and SAS.

Thanks!

Still working on this using the MS knowledge base with no clear results, one thing that has come up:

I created a clean system restore point before I installed sp3; now system restore will not let me go back. Why?