Access is Denied Error on system disk

[Flaviss]

OK, so my original problem of access denied I think I have figured out has absolutely nothing to do with my OS install. It was my mistake on installing Norton 360 - yeah yeah I know Norton sucks, but it's easier and was only 9 bucks for three licenses.

anyway when I installed it I changed from the default C: program files/Norton 360 folder to C: Program Files and forgot to create a folder called "norton 360" so Norton installed in progam files folder as its program file and locked it for the protection of the program. I tried to install something else into the program files folder (not realising Norton was now claiming it) and access was denied.

I did the same thing to my most recent install and just realized when I saw all the odd files in the program files folder. Removed Norton, reinstalled with correct address C; Program Files/ Norton 360 and its all kosher.

g-force: I am sure your link is very helpful but my monolingual butt has no idea what I am looking at so I am not sure how its to help. thanks though. I am using an update package from Xable http://xable.net/xp-sp3-update-pack-contents.php that has most of the updates on it and am functioning, just curious as to how to take apart those installers to get at the root of the hotfix.

Edited April 13, 2009 by Flaviss

[Guest]

[...] just curious as to how to take apart those installers to get at the root of the hotfix.

In a nutshell:

1. Use the /x switch on the installer to extract.
   
2. Check out the included SP3QFE directory for the new files that are installed.
   
3. Check the update_SP3QFE.inf file for the registry entries you'll need along with other useful information.
   • You'll need to learn the syntax of these INF files.
     

[*]Add the CAT file you find to the SVCPACK subdirectory of I386 and svcpack.inf.

[Flaviss]

5eraph,

Thanks for the feedback.

I learned that the WGAplugininstall did not actually install the update I needed. It installs an installer program. I had to go back to the site after installing the WGApluginintall and download the update again, this time it downloaded an MSI file.

I am taking it that your instructions were intended to allow me to get the .inf file out of this MSI file. I do not know how to use a 'switch' so I cannot continue with your instructions. I extracted the files from the .msi file into a folder with 7zip but don't see any .inf files.

Could you please give me a abbreviated 'using switches for dummies' ?

Thanks again,

Flaviss

[Guest]

The /x switch is meant to be used with Windows update packages with names like: WindowsXP-KB963027-x86-ENU.exe. It will not work with MSI files which require entirely different switches at the command prompt. Here are some example command lines involving switches used for file extraction:

WindowsXP-KB963027-x86-ENU.exe /x:"D:\Extracted Files"

MSIExec.exe /a MSXML.msi TARGETDIR="D:\More Extracted Files"

MSI packages don't usually contain INF files--they're a different kind of beast. Many MSIs don't even support the /a switch (short for administrative install). In almost all cases with MSIs, it's best to execute them using RunOnce during your Windows installation, so extraction is a moot point unless you want to replace the files within the MSI with your own.

Here's a command line you can use to install most MSIs silently:

MSIExec.exe /i MSXML.msi REBOOT=REALLYSUPPRESS /qn

You can replace the "/qn" with "/qb!" if you want to see a progress bar without the option to cancel the operation.

For more MSI options, open a CMD window and type "MSIExec /?".

Edited April 17, 2009 by 5eraph