update xp to sp3 then windows wont boot

Hi Kev
You were luckier than me - maybe - you managed to install the download but at least my Boot Camp is still working.
How did you manage to install it?
Each time I tried to install SP3 it told me there was not enough space and I needed to free up 4.4MB of disk space - even though I have 20GB of free space on the drive.
Now I have given up and switched off Windows Automatic Updates.
I figure someday soon, Apple will give us an upgrade download to Mac OS X 10.5.4 that will allow the successful installation of Windows SP3 within Boot Camp. Until then we keep soldiering on.
Must say I'm a bit disappointed with Apple that they expect their customers to solve their own problems.
For what it's worth, trying to upgrade SP1 to SP2 also required 4.4MB more free space. It required the SP2 disk to install. Maybe this is the same.
I also have a Windows XP PC laptop that is upgraded by downloads to SP3 so I won't be buying the program disk for Boot Camp.
Best regards
Charley

Same problem. Same quasi-"solution". I have a WD My Book external drive. Any ideas on what's behind it?

Hi ChuckinSLC

I got this one from Axel Foley and it worked.

1. Click Start - Run - Type "Regedit" and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

*HKEY LOCALMACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

HKEY LOCALMACHINE*
\Software
\Microsoft
\Windows
\CurrentVersion
\Setup

3. In the right pane, Right-click and select New - String value (This didn't work for me. I had to use the top menu bar to select and edit "New" and "String value")

4. Name it as "BootDir" and set it's value to "C:\"

Close "regedit" and install Windows XP - SP3

My Boot Camp is now working fine with SP3 installed.

Good luck
Speedy Sweedy

Hey Speedy,

Thanks for the tip but that's not the actual issue. I already have SP3 installed along with BootCamp 2.1 The problem is that XP wouldn't boot past the splash screen with an external (firewire, in my case) drive plugged in. With it unplugged it booted up OK. I haven't yet tried another boot into XP with a drive plugged in. I did go and check the registry location you named and I did already have a key for BootDir pointed to C.

Same problem here ...also installed bootcamp update then SP3 then stuck at same spot on bootup ...also worked when turned off external WD firewire drive ...most interesting.... but no fix here....yet;)

How would one do this from the command prompt?

WD has a firmware update for their external hard drives ..so far it is working ..keeping fingers crossed ..

Works for me too.