Can't install System Packs

I've been having nasty computer problems all summer. It started in late June when I ended up doing some kind of restore that reinstalled Windows XP but left my hard drive alone. I had always had my computer set to get the automatic downloads from Microsoft.

Since I did this, I've tried to install the Service Packs but could never get it to work. Then about 10 days ago, I was on a Christian rock band website when I got infected.

A wonderful guy at the Spybot forums has been helping me for the last several days to get all the nasty stuff back off my computer. I'll post a link to the thread here.


http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=32303


At first when he had me download SP 1a from Microsoft, I couldn't even download it. After finding other nasties and removing them, I now can get the download and have it on my desktop, but when I try to run it, it won't install. I get this message:


Service Pack 1 Setup Error

The file c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386\svcsys
is open or in use by another application.
Close all other applications and then click retry.

And then there are 2 buttons: Retry and cancel

I DO have everything else closed, but when I hit retry, it just keeps beeping at me until I hit the cancel button.


We checked and my Operating System is legal and its been validated.

So can anyone here help me figure out how to install the service packs so I'll be protected from the nasty stuff, now that I think I have a clean machine again?

Thanks so much.
musicteacher

 

Not sure what you mean

Thank you for replying to my thread. I'm not sure what you mean. If you want to look through the 3 pages on my malware thread at Spybot, you'll see where Ken helped me get rid of the malware on the computer. In his last post, he told me the following:

This is the board he suggested that I come to in order to get help with my windows. My problem now is that I need to update with the service packs but can't get them to install.

Thanks for any help someone can give me.

musicteacher
Betsy

 

Hello Betsy,

Welcome to windowsbbs. I am not suggesting that the cleanup you received was incorrect because viral/malware removal is very difficult and unpredictable. Even the most seasoned and expertly trained member can miss some small thing that will cause an infection to boomerang back on a reboot. I am no expert in the cleanup of such but some of these critters take an exceptional expert who uses extreme diligence in ensuring that all areas of the system are cleaned so at least an immediate reinfection will not occur.

Keeping in mind that windows updates will frequently fail as long as you are infected and in knowing that svcsys is viral in nature and is located in an area (dir.\i386, where your "system protected files" < "sfc" are kept) that very few cleaners will go or be successful there without specific commands and procedures. It is my guess by this error:

that you are still infected or at least not thoroughly clean enough to regain full control of all of your computer. It is probably why Arie suggested that you finish your cleanup.

I would go to our own Virus/malware Forum and send a personal message to one of our experts asking for their opinion. Include a link to this post so they may easily find it.

I have never seen a posted infection that they have not been able to thoroughly clean. They have been trained and certified to do so. They will keep at until your windows update functionality is returned and I am sure will have some really good suggestions to keep you clean afterward 's. Hang in there. I know this is a tedious and in some cases lengthy process but it is doable. Good luck, got my fingers crossed for you.

 

Goddez,

Thank you so much for your response. I will do as you suggested and hope that it's just a little bit of malware that hasn't been discovered yet that is causing the problem.

As I think I had stated, a few days ago, I couldn't even get the SP from Microsoft to download, but after getting more junk off, I finally got the download. Now it just won't install.


I know that if I don't get the service packs on soon, I'll get infected again. In fact, earlier this evening, I ran Malwarebytes again and it found one more that wasn't there a few days ago.

I appreciate your advice. Thanks for your suggestions.

musicteacher
Betsy