Question : How to fix windows xp service pack 3 install error: "The system cannot find the file specified"

I have recently posted this question however I was not as detailed.  So I thought I would post again with more detail.  Here is my story.  I needed to up date my windows xp sp2 to sp3 in order to use an recently upgraded software for my business.

I was able to update two of my three machines.  When I attempted on my machine, I recived the following error ...........Service Pac 3 Setup Error      "The system cannot find the file specified."    

I got online to find answers.  I read a microsoft paper and I did the following:

As per microsoft advice......their fix did not work.   I disabled all antivirus antispyware and third-party firewall programs.....tried again and got same "The system cannot find the file specified."    

Then did a download of the service pack 3 file 324mb.....tried to run that file.....same error.

Then tried their Backgrouond Intlligent Transfer Service fix.....same error

Then tried their Turn off Automatic Updateds and clear software distribution folder....tried again....same error

When this did not work, I did an express reinstall of windows xp sp2.   Then I  went to windows update and updated ......then tried to install sp3 again.....and got the same error.

When that did not work I did a repair form the windows xp sp2 disk.  After that I again went to windows update and updated.....then tried to install sp3 again....and got the same error.

I don't know what  to do next.   Every time I attempt to install service pack 3 .....it gets 2/3rds done and then gives me  The system cannot find the file specified."

One knowledgable expert sent me a window xp sp3 info sheet from microsoft....which was simiilar to the one I read before....however it had more detail about errors.   Thank you....however my error was not there.  So again no answer.   One expert suggeste me posting the log from the update.   I accessed the log and the portion of the log concerning the error is:

913.922: Num Ticks for Copying files : 420047
916.406: DoRegistryUpdates:UpdSpInstallFromInfSection Failed for ProductInstall.GlobalRegistryChanges.Install error: 0x2
916.406: INF_REGISTRY Failed
916.406: DoInstallation:DoRegistryUpdates failed
920.359: Unregistration of sprecovr successful
920.890: The system cannot find the file specified.
945.500: Message displayed to the user: The system cannot find the file specified.

If there is any suggestion ......or any information needed....plaease advise.  Thank you

Answer : How to fix windows xp service pack 3 install error: "The system cannot find the file specified"

When this occurs as described, and noting from the same question you posted earlier where you had done some repeated uninstall and reinstall of various updates, the most likely solution now is to reimage and install fresh. It is possible to break Windows so that it cannot be fixed and that is likely the situation here.
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