Windows Service Pack 2 Uninstall Nightmare?

Question

When I tried to sync my ipod, the ipod device did not show up in iTunes or Windows. Through the iTunes help pages, it said it could be a problem with Windows Service Pack 2. There was a patch to install but it warned it was not completely tested, so I decided to uninstall the Service Pack 2 instead. Well, that was a big mistake because now iTunes won't open at all, and there are frequent messenger ads popping up to go to various web sites to pay for a service to fix the Windows registry problems. There is a ton of adware and spyware on my system since the uninstall. I tried doing a system restore. There was a failure message. I tried to re-install Service Pack 2 but it won't download. When I click to do Microsoft updates, it says the following; failed Update for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1 (KB842773),Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1, Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130). Anything else to try without calling the pros?

Answer 1

As you have learned, you cannot uninstall SP2, nor should you need to. It is the best implementation of XP yet and most newer software has been optimized to run on it.



I think your best (only) chance to get things back is to download the SP2 upgrade file. The file is offered to system administrators who image drives and need the files to build the image. You can find it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en



You may need to use another computer to download it because it looks like the MS Validation tool failed to load on yours.



Copy the SP2 file to a CD or flash drive and run it on your machine. If that fails you will probably need to reinstall your OS.

Answer 2

The patch/update actually would have been significantly easier, but hey, that's not an option at this point, right!?



My suggestion to you would be to backup your information and start all over. There is a lot of stuff that is toying with your system registry and incomplete uninstalls, etc that you would really need to start over.



So, how do you do it? Well, if Windows starts, you can take a DVD or CD and just burn all your docs, mp3's and what nots to the DVD or CD. You can also take a USB drive and transfer them to another computer. Point is, SAVE YOUR DATA!!



After words, take your system restore disks or use the system restore partition on your computer to format and reinstall your system. Don't take off SP2!!



If Windows doesn't start, then you need to use Ubuntu's Live CD to save data. It is less intimidating than it sounds. Just wander over to www.ubuntu.com and download the 32-bit version. Use a CD burning tool to burn the file to a CD and slip the CD into the drive. Once it's up and running you can burn CD's of your data or use a USB drive.



Hope this helps! If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask:)

Answer 3

I would suggest reinstalling windows and starting over. Otherwise go here for help, in the future don't uninstall important SP, don't do a system restore if you are infected with a virus (any time there is an infection system restore is to be turned off until the infection has been removed)



You can go here for help, as they maybe able to help you. Your ipod syncing problem, was likely due to needing to download a driver update for you USB drive, which can be found on the manufacture site of your computer.

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/index.php

Answer 4

Reinstall service pack 2 manually from the MS website.



http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3646727

Answer 5

first word taht you won't be able of uninstall residing house windows ninety 8 wiothout affecting different OS put in on your equipment. in case you do no longer prefer the win98 records, basically format the particluar stress. however the boot menu will keeps to be showing the two OSs. do no longer format, if the boot menu put in interior the residing house windows ninety 8 stress. For SP2, acquire it from residing house windows ninety 8 or residing house windows 2000. MS internet site won't validate ninety 8 and 2000 structures. (the cyber web internet site will ask for the validation, even though it is going to be triumphant and you'd be able to acquire). inquire from me in case you prefer to nicely known greater.

Answer 6

Format your harddrive and reinstall from CDs provided.

Sorry.

Answer 7

12-gauge.