ok so today im trying to install rollup 2 on my media center 2005, i guess this is the right fourm since my computer is HP.

when i try to install it makes the restore point but hten when it begins to install i get this error message.

Windows Xp Media Center edition 2005

the update to media center was not succesful. The computer will now be restarted and restored to the state it was in before the update. Please try the installation again, or contact your hardware manufacturer for assistance if the problem persists.

this happens every time I try any help would be appreciated.

P.S I have .net 1.1 and 1.1sp1

Since you're installing RU2 today, I'd imagine that this is a clean reinstallation of Windows?
If yes, what SP level is the OS at right now?

sorry would you be able to explain this a little simpler, im not that computer smart.

clean reinstallation of windows?

Sp- service pack?

OS-operating system?

rollup 2 requires that Service Pack 2 be installed.

I dont know what happens if you have SP3. It may fail.

I'm sorry - I lost track of this thread.  My bad.  :(
Still need to fix it?

"Clean reinstallation" = 'fresh install.'  Done be either booting from your XP disc, and formatting (wiping) the hard drive, or booting into the HP recovery utility and running  what HP terms a 'destructive system restore' (wipes all of your data, and restores Windows to an as-shipped state) or a 'non-desrtuctive system restore' (retains your user data and (usually) installed programs, but returns Windows to an as-shipped state.)

Yes, SP = Service Pack, and OS = Operating System.

If you did reinstall (or restore) Windows, there's a very, very specific order to complete a fresh install of Media Center 2005.  I'll dig up the directions.
As dmagerl said earlier, if you've already installed SP3, there is no way to install Rollup 2.  You can try uninstalling the SP; however, you'll likely need to reinstall (or destructive-restore) Windows again to truly fix it, and then follow the how-to.

As promised, here are the instructions:

Installation order, for a clean install of MCE2k5

Pre-requisites: 
- update BIOS to latest version.
- Disconnect every USB device in your system, save for KB & mouse (this includes memory-card readers, as well as your IR receiver.)
- download all drivers for your hardware from their respective manufacturers (note that some hardware, such as tuners, typically have different drivers for MCE2k5 than they do for ‘vanilla’ XP.  Grab the Media Center drivers.)  Burn everything to a CD.  I’d also recommend that you d/l the updates listed below, and burn those to the disc as well.

-          Install XP MCE (turn off Automatic Updates during installation)

-          Install all drivers

-          Install SonicEncoders.msi (if not already installed by your OEM.  It'll be listed in Add/Remove Programs.)

-          Install .NET Framework 1.1:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=262D25E3-F589-4842-8157-034D1E7CF3A3&displaylang=en

-          Install SP1 for .NET Framework 1.1:   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885055

-          Install RU2 (KB900325):  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/900325

-          Install October 2006 Cumulative Update (KB925766):  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766

-          Install Windows Installer 3.1 v2:  http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893803

-          Install LLTD Responder Client:  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=922120

-          Install WMP11

-          For Cable (w/o STB) systems, install KB954086:  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=954086

-          Install KB895961:  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2d651598-7afe-4bdf-aff8-38d2d09a86ea&displaylang=en

-          Install Extender Manager from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=73537

-          Connect IR receiver

-          Install SP3:  http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

-          Turn Automatic Updates ON, and finish patching OS