XP - Error Code: 0X800710D9 (Can't install SP2)

Question

I was trying to install a new printer to my desktop, however it turns out that the printer is only compatible with XP service pack 2 or higher. I and currently only running XP service pack 1. So i tried to update my computer to XP SP2 and got an error 0x800710D9, it said it was'unable to read or write to database'. what do i need to do to fix the problem and update my computer so i can actually print something?

Answer 1

If SP2 (let alone SP3) isn't installed, you're missing six years of security updates [!!] and you couldn't possibly have a functional anti-virus application installed.

See...

     Cleaning a Compromised System

     http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100% trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307

After the clean install, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer" so take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers) and before using a flash drive or SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

     4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online

     http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Other helpful references include:

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched (after a clean install)

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a clean install)

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029 manually:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial AND download/run the appropriate removal tool BEFORE installing any updates, Windows Service Packs or IE upgrades AND BEFORE installing your new anti-virus application (which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).

     Norton Removal Tool

     ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

     McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool

     http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Also see:

Risks & Benefits of P2P file sharing

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/downloadfileshare/filesharing.aspx

http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008/10/06/the-cost-of-free-software.aspx

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware

http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx 

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms

http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!

http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

If you need additional assistance, please begin a new thread in this forum: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/threads

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Answer 2

See if this helps -

Error message that you receive when you try to update a Windows XP-based computer to Windows XP Service Pack 2 by visiting the Windows Update Web site: "Unable to read from or write to database"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/915169

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TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2011 - Update Services