SP2 causes errors and instability

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

"Error Code: 0x80070002" error message cites license-checking issue after upgrade on Dell computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310794



--
Mark L. Ferguson
FAQ for Windows Antispy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
<beversol@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1122342970.037834.278420@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hello,
>
> I've been working on a Dell Dimension 4400 for several days. Initially
> the computer had a spyware infection. While cleaning it up I got a
> message telling me some windows files had been changed and i needed to
> insert the Windows XP CD to restore them. Didn't have CD handy at the
> time, so I installed SP2 hoping it would replace the corrupt files.
>
>
> Soon afterwards I got a message on reboot saying Windows had recovered
> from a corrupt registry. I was going to do a SFC /scannow, but at some
> point I was no longer able to boot into Windows.
>
>
> I did a repair install at the 2nd prompt. Later when reinstalling SP2,
> the installation failed somewhere, and Windows automatically removed a
> portion of SP2. This condition was totally unstable.
>
>
> Next, I did a quick reformat and fresh install. Everything seemed
> better until the old message came back, "Windows recovered from a
> corrupt registry..." on a reboot after installing SP2 or one of the
> other critical updates. Soon I was no longer able to log on to Windows
> at all...no user names appeared in the logon screen...hit CTRL + ALT +
> DEL twice and the old Windows 2000 style logon box appeared, but
> Windows refused to let me logon under Administrator or the user name I
> set up with blank passwords.
>
>
> I ran the Maxtor Diagnostics test from floppy, and it found no problems
> with the hard drive. I ran Windows Memory Diagnostics all night, but
> it found no errors.
>
> Next, I did a complete reformat and reinstall with no problems.
>
> Ran Windows Update. First update installed 2 updates (Windows Installer
> 3.1 and one other)
>
> Restarted successfully.
>
>
> Ran Windows Update again. Installed 25 updates.
>
> Restarted successfully.
>
> Ran Windows Update again. Installed SP2.
>
> Restarted, but system spontaneously rebooted before usual screen
> appeared to enable automatic updates.
>
> Ran Windows Update. 5 updates installed.
>
> Restarted, but blue screen of death appeared briefly, and system
> rebooted. Low screen resolution prompt after reboot.
>
> Uninstalled SP2 and 5 last updates. System was stable again.
>
> Downloaded and installed SP2 for IT Professionals from Microsoft
> download site.
>
> On reboot got message "A problem is preventing Windows from accurately
> checking the license for this computer...."
>
> Rebooted in Safe Mode, and uninstalled SP2.
>
> What can I do to get SP2 to work on this computer?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill
>