Cannot install Service Pack2 on Windows Server 2003 SBS

ITdude

Hi,

I have tried several times to install SP2 on a W2K3 SBS box. Each time it goes through the prep until I get a cannot install catalog files error.

I went to the MS KB site and tried all of their suggestions to deal with this problem but I still get the failed to install catalog files error. Has anyone run across this and found something else that might work to get this darn thing to install? I have been doing this manually. I assume that trying it via the MS Update site will of course yield the same result.

Also currently there is Exchange server sp1 on there. Are there any issues with the sp2 install for this on SBS?

Thanks for your input!

leefdaddy

is there enough free space on your C: partition?

ITdude

Yes, it successfully goes through all the preinstall stuff right up to backing up the registry and then I get that error..I think it needs about 500MB doesn't it?


I have 13GB free space on the C: drive!

royal

Try going to the command prompt and typing: setreg 10 FALSE

Mishra

Is this a fresh install of SBS?

ITdude

ok will try that thanks! No, it is not a fresh install in fact it is the old non R2 version. It has been running on this box since 2005....

ITdude

royal, it said set reg is not a recognized as internal or external command

Mishra

I would try to clean the server up some then try to install it again.

Registry cleaner
Page defrag
Service Packs/Updates
Multiple virus platform scanning
Adaware scanning


Because it is small business server, then it probably is in a small business... They sometimes tend to surf the web and different things on their servers.

ITdude

Thanks Mishra you might have a point there, although I suspect the problem might be deeper than that like certificate related or the like....

ITdude

I just looked at the Security Catalog at:%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\NT5INF.CAT

I looked at the certificate and it said valid from Friday October 18, 2002 through December 18, 2003.

Am I on the right track here or any other ideas?

royal

Well, the setreg command I was getting was from:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q281458

The url also discusses nt5inf.cat. I would give this support doc a look.

ITdude

Thanks but that is the support doc I was referring to also. I cannot get the setreg to execute, it cannot find it anywhere..

sprkymrk

ITdude wrote:

Thanks but that is the support doc I was referring to also. I cannot get the setreg to execute, it cannot find it anywhere..

Regarding that KB article:

APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

royal

You appear to be correct Mark about it not being supported. I did read some other website and they said the setreg as well as the nt5inf.cat fix should still apply for Server 2003 so I figured it would be worth a shot. From seeing ITdude's comments though, it appears that the setreg apparently isn't supported in Server 2003.

ITdude

Yup! I saw that too and was starting to think that it wasn't supported in 2003. However, when I did a search about this problem Microsoft pointed me to that article.

Go figure! Now what?

royal

Perhaps try a sfc /scannow. I've also heard a repair install will fix the issue. This would mean you would have to do some repatching, but apparently, people have had luck going this route and then being able to install the service pack afterwards. I'll try to think of some other things you can do, however.

ITdude

Thanks appreciate that! I really would like to update that darn SBS box but MS sure isn't making it easy for me!

sprkymrk

Thanks royal - I have a troublesome 2003 server as well that I have been having fits trying to install SP2. I'll give the sfc a try if you say it has worked for others.

ITdude

I tried sfc remotely but it told me that I needed to be an Admin and using the console. I was using the Administrator account at the time!

I still have feeling this is a security/certificate issue but not sure where to go yet from here...I hope that the Exchange Server upgrade is more straightforward...

ajs1976

Are you using remote desktop to access the server? did you use the /console switch?

ITdude

Yes, using RDP and thought I used the switch but might have goofed in typing. My phone rang at the time and I got distracted.

I will try it again later when I can access the server...Thanks

ITdude

No luck so far....Any more ideas?

ITdude

Anyone : :

tech-airman

ITdude wrote:

Anyone : :

ITdude,

Has the SBS 2003 server been registered and/or activated with Microsoft?

RTmarc

ITdude wrote:

I tried sfc remotely but it told me that I needed to be an Admin and using the console. I was using the Administrator account at the time!

I still have feeling this is a security/certificate issue but not sure where to go yet from here...I hope that the Exchange Server upgrade is more straightforward...

If you don't have physical access, try running RDP in console mode.

Start > Run > mstsc /console

Log in again as your admin account and try the install again.

sprkymrk

I just figured out why mine wouldn't work. I had to have the Distributed Coordinator Service running. It was disabled on this particular server.

Might be worth checking on yours.

ITdude

Okay, I will try both of your suggestions and report back...Thanks

ITdude

Tried both and nether helped. Still fails the installation right after backing up the registry....beats me.. :

sprkymrk

Have you seen this article?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

Lots of things to try we haven't discussed here yet. Not sure if you saw it.

ITdude

Yes, I have and tried most if not all with no success....Really great that you cannot even update your server because of something granular! :

ITdude

Still have not had any success with this. Anyone have any possible leads other the going to the source?

Thanks