Procedure: Uninstall SP2 from Windows XP via Recovery Console
1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk in your floppy disk drive or insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive,
   and then restart your computer.

Note: When you receive the following message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD:
   Press any key to boot from CD

Note: Your computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start
   from the CD drive or the DVD drive, see the documentation that came with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

2. When you receive the Welcome to Setup message, press R to start the Recovery Console.

Note: Multiple options will appear on the screen.

3. Select the Windows XP installation in question.

Note: You must select a number before you press ENTER, or the computer will restart. Typically, only the 1: C:\Windows selection is available.

4. If you are prompted to type an administrator password, do so. If you do not know the administrator password, press ENTER.
   (Typically, the password is blank.)

Note: You will not be able to continue if you do not have the administrator password.

5. At the command prompt, type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst, and then press ENTER.

Note: After you complete this step, you cannot stop the removal process.

6. At the command prompt, type batch spuninst.txt, and then press ENTER.

Note: The Spuninstal.txt file appears. As the file scrolls down, you will see errors and files being copied. This is normal behavior.

7. After Windows XP SP2 is removed, type exit, and then press ENTER.

8. Restart your computer in Safe Mode. To do this, press F8 as the computer restarts (IMMEDIATELY after the BIOS POST stage completes.)

Note: After you restart, the system may lock up with a black screen but allow the mouse to work.
   In this case, restart again by turning the computer off and then back on. The second restart will let you to log on.

9. When your computer restarts, Windows Explorer (Explorer.exe) does not run, and the Windows icons and the Start button are unavailable.
   To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
   a. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to start Task Manager.
   b. Click File, and then click New Task (Run...).
   c. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
   d. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs
   e. On the right side of the viewing pane, right-click ObjectName, click Modify, type LocalSystem in the Value data box, and then click OK.
   f.  Restart your computer.

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