Windows Xp Sp3 Cannot Update Setup problem

[skirmish]

Hi there. I hope someone can please help.

I am trying to install SP3 on my XP system but I keep hitting this error message

Service Pack 3 Setup cannot update a checked (debug) system with a free
(retail) version of Service Pack 3, or vice versa

I've seen previous comments about how to change the registry

1. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

2. In right-side pane look for a String value "CurrentType". Change its value to Checked and if its already set to Checked, then set it to Free and click on OK.

It is this actual process that I am having trouble with as in Regedit on my PC it says

Current Type Reg_SZ Uniprocessor Free

My PC is a HP Pavillion and the XP software was loaded onto the machine when I bought it new.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

David

[Ernesto4]

The main reason behind this issue is the update package in the setup. You will need to re-install the update package. For this you might need to check the builds in the file. But for that if you cannot do much thing then you will need to arrange for a new installation setup. Otherwise that will not help you much here. It is possible to spoof the updates for installing the same but the procedure is complicated.

[skirmish]

Thanks for the reply.
It doesn't sound that easy does it? It's madness that such a situation arises. Presumably when I buy a brand new HP PC and also the operating system that goes with it there should not be problems like this. Who is to blame, HP or Microsoft?

[EINSTEIN_007]

So, are you saying that your laptop came with Windows XP with Service Pack 2 only, it didnt come with service pack 3 installed? In any case try to follow the method given on how to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 properly by following this link - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

[skirmish]

It's actually a PC base unit and it only had SP2 installed. I bought it before SP3 was around.
I've looked at the link and followed it but the problem was still there.
There is advice on the net about how to solve the problem but my specific query is about how to achieve this

1. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

2. In right-side pane look for a String value "CurrentType". Change its value to Checked and if its already set to Checked, then set it to Free and click on OK.

[JAMES_911]

You can try to automatically let windows update your Service pack to version 3. To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)

1. Click here for the steps to fix automatically
2. Click here to download the Service Pack 3 manually.
3. Click here to Order Windows XP Service Pack 3 on a CD