Knowledge Base

Error Message Uninstalling Service Pack 3

Article ID: 168700

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

This article was previously published under Q168700

SYMPTOMS

While you are uninstalling Service Pack 3 for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, you may receive the following error message:

An error has occurred copying ntldr.
Ensure the location specified below is correct, or change it and insert 'Windows NT Service Pack Uninstall Archive' in the drive you specify.

From: <drive1>:\winnt\$NtServicePackUninstall$\ntldr To: <drive2>:\ntldr

If you click Error Details, you see the following information

The following error occurred: "The directory name is invalid" (error #267).
Source file: <drive1>:\winnt\$NtServicePackUninstall$\ntldr
Destination file: <drive2>:\ntldr

where <drive1> is the current drive letter of the boot drive and <drive2> is the drive letter of the boot drive when Service Pack 3 was installed.

CAUSE

This error message occurs when the boot drive letter assignment has been changed since Service Pack 3 was installed.

RESOLUTION

Click Skip to bypass the file and allow the uninstall process to finish. When the uninstall process is finished, run the Emergency Repair Disk (ERD), choose Verify Windows NT System Files, and repair the changed Ntldr file.

NOTE: We do not recommend changing the boot drive letter or system drive letter assignment.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

After skipping the Ntldr file, you may receive the following additional error message:

The following error occurred: "The system could not find the path specified." (error #3)

Source file: <drive1>:\winnt\$NtServicePackUninstall$\iexplore.exe
Destination file: <drive2>:\program files\plus!\ Microsoft Internet\iexplore.exe

This error message may also occur for the Hyperterm.exe file for the following destination:

<drive2>:\program files\Windows NT\hyperterm.exe

If these error messages occur, click Skip to bypass the files and then replace the files noted in the error message by expanding them from the Windows NT compact disc. For example, to replace the Hyperterm.exe file, perform the following steps:

Rename the Hyperterm.exe file in the <drive1>:\Program Files\Windows NT folder.
Expand the original Hyperterm.exe file from the Windows NT 4.0 compact disc into the <drive1>:\Program Files\Windows NT folder. To do so, use the following command:

expand <cd-rom>\i386\hyperterm.ex_ <drive1>:\program files\ windows nt\hyperterm.exe

where <cd-rom> is your CD-ROM drive.

If you have upgraded your version of Internet Explorer since installing Windows NT, you should reinstall Internet Explorer.

Keywords: kberrmsg kbsetup KB168700

Microsoft KB Archive/168700

Contents