Can't Install XP SP2 - "Handle is Invalid"

Despite repeated attempts, I'm unable to install XP Service Pack 2. It proceeds through most of the installation process, then aborts with a message box stating that installation has been terminated because the "handle is invalid".

I'm running an HP Pavilion with a 1.6 GB AMD chip, 512 MB RAM, plenty of hard disk space. I've not detected any other problems. Went through HP's suggested list that included emptying Recycle Bin, running Scan Disk, Defragging the hard drives, with no success. I also ran SpySubtract, AdAware, and Spybot. I don't suspect a virus: I'm behind a router, run Zone Alarm and AVG.

Any thoughts?

L

Welcome to Windrivers Alex22314.
Shot in the dark here because you've already tried everything I would have...
try running chkdsk /f from a command prompt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shamus

Welcome to Windrivers Alex22314.
Shot in the dark here because you've already tried everything I would have...
try running chkdsk /f from a command prompt.

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Thanks for the suggestion...it's been a while since I used some of the DOS commands. Anyway, I ran chkdsk (without any extensions, so it only checked the c: drive) and tried once again to load SP2. Same problem, same result. SP2 goes through its inventory, space estimation, creation of cabinet files, then backs up files and the registry. Then the installation aborts.

L

try again with the /f option. chkdsk /f (or fix) can find and fix things like file allocation probs.. It may be as simple as that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alex22314

I'm behind a router, run Zone Alarm and AVG.

Any thoughts?

L

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assuming the router has a firewall running... if you shutdown Zone Alarm and AVG, and for that matter anything else running, does it work then?

the theory being don't confuse poor sp2, clear stuff outta it's way as it tries to activate it's own firewall and put in a pgm that monitors whether you have AV on your system.

or look at what you have running while trying to install sp2 and update those programs to newer sp2 compliant versions. the latest ZA, AVG7 etc etc.

I've rerun chkdsk/f: to no avail. I also removed as many active system tray programs as I could (e.g. ZoneAlarm, AVG, SpySubtract, Weatherbug, Clock, Google Desktop Search, 3MPostitNotes, Protein Folding, and QuikTime...also to no avail. Couldn't stop APC (uninterruptible power source) and Network Bridge, neither of which 't offers an Exit/Close option.

Same aborted process and message on upgrade attempt.

Thank you all who have responded so far.

L