Windows xp service pack 3 not updating

I have got windows xp sp2 and I have been trying to update it to service pack 3 for a few months now but its just not happening for some reason ... It downloads ok but it just says installation failed...

Is anyone else getting the same issue?

i too had the same issue a few months back, here is what i did

downloaded the service pack separately not through windows update and installed it and while installing it backed up the setting and installed clean no issues.

By doing like this if it is not installed atleast will know the reason why it didnt install

Till today i dont know why at first it crashed and later installed...!

here is the total detail about winxp sp3
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3

@admin

Are you updating to sp3 using the Windows Update? or are you updating from the sp3 setup? if it is the second case, then the problem can be due to corrupt MSI ( microsoft installer) in your system. if it is the first case, then i recommend doing it the other way round. i.e using the separate setup of sp3 as KK in the above post suggested.

Originally Posted by Admin

I have got windows xp sp2 and I have been trying to update it to service pack 3 for a few months now but its just not happening for some reason ... It downloads ok but it just says installation failed...

Is anyone else getting the same issue?

Please try installing IE 8. While we install IE 8, it will automatically install all windows updates unless we uncheck the option.

A few days before, there was a post in which the thread starter claims to have updated to SP3 (from SP2) and does not wants to format his Windows. So the problem should be recent if it exists.

Originally Posted by Admin

I have got windows xp sp2 and I have been trying to update it to service pack 3 for a few months now but its just not happening for some reason ... It downloads ok but it just says installation failed...

Is anyone else getting the same issue?

I too faced the same error not for SP but for another installation. the problem atlast was found to be RAM issue. (just giving u an idea)

R u using original software ??
Also, if u want to install IE8, do it b4 u update to SP3.
My update frm SP2 to SP3 was smooth. Got no probs.

windows installer 4: w w w.softwarepatch.com/windows/wininstallnt.html

sp3:w w w.softwarepatch.com/windows/windows-xp-service-pack-3.html

try downloading it from the above, and everything should go smooth

if you use amd processor then download this also
amd sp3 fix: w w w.softwarepatch.com/windows/windows-xp-sp3-amd-stop-0x0000007E.html

Originally Posted by shady911

windows installer 4: w w w.softwarepatch.com/windows/wininstallnt.html

sp3:w w w.softwarepatch.com/windows/windows-xp-service-pack-3.html

try downloading it from the above, and everything should go smooth

if you use amd processor then download this also
amd sp3 fix: w w w.softwarepatch.com/windows/windows-xp-sp3-amd-stop-0x0000007E.html

it is always recommended to download any software from the vendor site (microsoft.com) instead of downloading from other distributors...

Originally Posted by skap

it is always recommended to download any software from the vendor site (microsoft.com) instead of downloading from other distributors...

the links there are hosted on microsoft.com, which means files are not hosted on their servers. And when u press the download link u can see the transaction from microsoft.com