Cannot Uninstall Windows XP SP3

[klewis10367]

I cannot uninstall XP SP3. I get this error in the spuninst.log file.

"Rename failed. Source path c:\windows\$NtUninstallKB969497-IE8$ does not exist"

I had installed IE8 before SP3 and ran a utility to clean folders and it removed the IE8 uninstall folder. I have since been able to uninstall IE8 and do a reinstall of SP3 but I get the same error every time I try to unistall SP3.

 

[BadBigBen]

Try to reinstall IE8 and then all the updates for it, e.g. KB969497, then try to uninstall SP3 first...

alternatively uninstall IE8 and then SP3...

PS: why are you trying to uninstall SP3 in the first place?


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[linney]

Do all the alternative methods for removal fail?

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249#appliesto

 

[ITPangaeaArchitect]

yea there is (or at least was) a bug in the IE8 uninstaller where it did not remove all entities relating to it to perform a proper rollback. reinstall and patching may help, but im not sure if thats been fixed.

- Brandon Wilson
MCSE:Security00/03; MCSA:Security03
MCSA:Messaging00; MCP; A+
IT Pangaea (

http://it-pangaea.com)