service pack 3 problem

[mrb]

I have tried several times to load service pack 3 and always get the following message:

We apologize for the inconvenience but windows did not start successfully.
A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stops responding, restarted unexpected, or ... last known good configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interupted due to a power failure... Start Windows Normally.

Safe mode
Safe mode (networking)
Safe mode (command prompt)
Last Known configuration

Start Windows Normally
I have tried the microsoft steps of downloading a full copy of the service pack; reset the registry and file permissions; removed or disabled virus scan software; ran the 7 regsvr...dll suggested here. Nothing has worked so far. I am currently doing a disk defrag (not sure if that will help).
The computer is an HP AMD Sempron processor that has a recovery tool built in and I have used it to go back to original settings with no success either. It did not come with the XP disk but I do have XP that says for use in Dell Computers only. Should I reformat the hard drive and use the Dell XP disc to reload or is it okay to continue using the computer under service pack 2 ? Or does anyone have another idea as to what the problem could be getting
service pack 3 to work properly? Thanks

[glc]

Don't use the Dell CD. There will be a utility in Windows to make a set of recovery CD's, I highly recommend you do that.

recovery tool built in and I have used it to go back to original settings

Are you referring to this?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...cname=bph07145

What service pack level was the computer shipped with?

[mrb]

This HP Compaq computer came set up with I assume part of the hard drive partitioned off as D: drive as a recovery tool that is supposed to take it back to original set up and still save files such as pics and documents. This is in addition to the Windows recovery tools or maybe it is just utilizing Windows. I had made some some recovery disc before through the windows function but have not tried to use them to go back. Currently, I have service pack 2 running and have gotten Panda Global 2010 to load. I realize that this may not be ideal and may not be supported much longer by microsoft but I will probably replace the computer in a year or so since it is already 5 years old and move to Windows 7. Do you think this is okay or should I try to do the advanced destructive revovery and erase the hard drive and start over? I do not know what service pack the computer was shipped with but think it may be the first one.

[glc]

It's up to you - you could just stay with SP2 or you could do the advanced destructive recovery.

[mrb]

thanks.