XP SP3 installation fails on multitude of computers ( 0x54f)

We are deploying SP3 to several computers but almost half of them always fail
but so far I have been unable to determine why. The svcpack.log file always
ends with the same entry though :

203.531: The file c:\windows\system32\win32k.sys is open or in use by
another application.Close all other applications and then click Retry.
203.578: AnalyzePhaseOne: used 66484 ticks
203.578: GlobalErrorReturnCode set to 1359 (0x54f)
203.578: AnalyzeComponents: Cancelled
203.594: Inventory complete: ReturnStatus=1359, 76578 ticks
203.641: Num Ticks for invent : 76625
227.813: UnRegisterSpuninstForRecovery, failed to delete SpRecoverCmdLine
value, error 0x2
227.813: DoInstallation: Failed to unregistering spuninst.exe for recovery.
227.813: An internal error occurred.
227.844: Service Pack 3 installation did not complete.
227.844: Update.exe extended error code = 0x54f
227.844: Update.exe return code was masked to 0x643 for MSI custom action
compliance.

The only thing that changes is the *.sys file the log file refers to as
being in use. Sometimes it's this one, sometimes it's msgpc.sys and a
multitude of other names have already been seen in the log files.

Please note that the installation is launched at night and users are
requested to leave the computer running. Maybe they leave certain programs
open but that is hard to check without physically going into the offices.

Any suggestions on how to proceed to find the cause are most welcome.

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

MS offered no-charge support for SP3 installation and compatibility issues
since mid-April 2008. This free support ended about a week ago.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Steve H. wrote:
> We are deploying SP3 to several computers but almost half of them always
> fail but so far I have been unable to determine why. The svcpack.log file
> always ends with the same entry though :
>
> 203.531: The file c:\windows\system32\win32k.sys is open or in use by
> another application.Close all other applications and then click Retry.
> 203.578: AnalyzePhaseOne: used 66484 ticks
> 203.578: GlobalErrorReturnCode set to 1359 (0x54f)
> 203.578: AnalyzeComponents: Cancelled
> 203.594: Inventory complete: ReturnStatus=1359, 76578 ticks
> 203.641: Num Ticks for invent : 76625
> 227.813: UnRegisterSpuninstForRecovery, failed to delete SpRecoverCmdLine
> value, error 0x2
> 227.813: DoInstallation: Failed to unregistering spuninst.exe for
> recovery.
> 227.813: An internal error occurred.
> 227.844: Service Pack 3 installation did not complete.
> 227.844: Update.exe extended error code = 0x54f
> 227.844: Update.exe return code was masked to 0x643 for MSI custom action
> compliance.
>
> The only thing that changes is the *.sys file the log file refers to as
> being in use. Sometimes it's this one, sometimes it's msgpc.sys and a
> multitude of other names have already been seen in the log files.
>
> Please note that the installation is launched at night and users are
> requested to leave the computer running. Maybe they leave certain programs
> open but that is hard to check without physically going into the offices.
>
> Any suggestions on how to proceed to find the cause are most welcome.