A weird error when updating to XP SP3 v5.1.2600.5512?!!!

Hi all,

My XP version is 5.1.2600.3244. Today I downloaded SP3 v5512 and when wanted
to install it I got this error:

"This Service Pack cannot be installed on top of the Windows XP Service Pack
3 build currently installed on your computer. Cancel this installation
process, uninstall your current Windows XP Service Pack 3 build, then
re-install this Service Pack."
<-- Error code: STATUS_SP_BUILD_TO_BUILD

I tried a lot of method discussed on internet but none of them worked for
me.
Let me tell you the story:

- booted to Safe Mode and tried to update there.
- went to Add/Remove Program but there are no entry for SP3 to uninstall
even though --> I have ticked "show updates" checkbox.
- unzipped the original exe file and tried to manually execute spuninst.exe
and update.exe files.

Please note that I don't have the "C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$"
folder!!! (I can see hidden and system files too) I had previously used some
3rd party tools to remove "UNNECESSARY" files?!

Just as a side note: A week ago, subsequent to a problem, I had to repair
the Windows with my cd.

Can somebuddy (?!) please help me?
Thanks a lot

> ...A week ago, subsequent to a problem, I had to repair
> the Windows with my cd.

What problem? Did you do a Repair Install?

Start | Run | (type) winver | OK: What does the entire second line (starts
with "Version 5.1") say?

Had you installed a beta or Release Candidate build of WinXP SP3 at any time
in the past?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Reza Fathzadeh wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> My XP version is 5.1.2600.3244. Today I downloaded SP3 v5512 and when
> wanted
> to install it I got this error:
>
> "This Service Pack cannot be installed on top of the Windows XP Service
> Pack
> 3 build currently installed on your computer. Cancel this installation
> process, uninstall your current Windows XP Service Pack 3 build, then
> re-install this Service Pack."
> <-- Error code: STATUS_SP_BUILD_TO_BUILD
>
> I tried a lot of method discussed on internet but none of them worked for
> me.
> Let me tell you the story:
>
> - booted to Safe Mode and tried to update there.
> - went to Add/Remove Program but there are no entry for SP3 to uninstall
> even though --> I have ticked "show updates" checkbox.
> - unzipped the original exe file and tried to manually execute
> spuninst.exe
> and update.exe files.
>
> Please note that I don't have the "C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$"
> folder!!! (I can see hidden and system files too) I had previously used
> some
> 3rd party tools to remove "UNNECESSARY" files?!
>
> Just as a side note: A week ago, subsequent to a problem, I had to repair
> the Windows with my cd.
>
> Can somebuddy (?!) please help me?
> Thanks a lot

Verson 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.071030-1537 : Service Pack 3 , v3244). Yes I
have been told that it's a test version.

Yes I did an repair (in-place upgrade). how did u guess?!

"Reza Fathzadeh" wrote:

> Verson 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.071030-1537 : Service Pack 3 , v3244). Yes I
> have been told that it's a test version.

I solved the issue. It was because of my corrupted in-place repair. And to be
honest, it was because of Microsoft's bad handling of the Upgrade process.

Uh-huh...and I suppose MS had you install the beta build of WinXP SP3, too.

Reza Fathzadeh wrote:
> I solved the issue. It was because of my corrupted in-place repair. And to
> be honest, it was because of Microsoft's bad handling of the Upgrade
> process.
<paste>
> Yes I did an repair (in-place upgrade). how did u guess?!
>
> Verson 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.071030-1537 : Service Pack 3 , v3244). Yes I
> have been told that it's a test version.

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
>> ...A week ago, subsequent to a problem, I had to repair
>> the Windows with my cd.
>
> What problem? Did you do a Repair Install?
>
> Start | Run | (type) winver | OK: What does the entire second line (starts
> with "Version 5.1") say?
>
> Had you installed a beta or Release Candidate build of WinXP SP3 at any
> time
> in the past?
>
> Reza Fathzadeh wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> My XP version is 5.1.2600.3244. Today I downloaded SP3 v5512 and when
>> wanted
>> to install it I got this error:
>>
>> "This Service Pack cannot be installed on top of the Windows XP Service
>> Pack
>> 3 build currently installed on your computer. Cancel this installation
>> process, uninstall your current Windows XP Service Pack 3 build, then
>> re-install this Service Pack."
>> <-- Error code: STATUS_SP_BUILD_TO_BUILD
>>
>> I tried a lot of method discussed on internet but none of them worked for
>> me.
>> Let me tell you the story:
>>
>> - booted to Safe Mode and tried to update there.
>> - went to Add/Remove Program but there are no entry for SP3 to uninstall
>> even though --> I have ticked "show updates" checkbox.
>> - unzipped the original exe file and tried to manually execute
>> spuninst.exe
>> and update.exe files.
>>
>> Please note that I don't have the "C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$"
>> folder!!! (I can see hidden and system files too) I had previously used
>> some
>> 3rd party tools to remove "UNNECESSARY" files?!
>>
>> Just as a side note: A week ago, subsequent to a problem, I had to repair
>> the Windows with my cd.