Comments inline.
First, let's tackle the question on your Subject Line:
IE8 (Do you need SP3 installed) to Install IE8 ?
Although it is not necessary, it is *highly* recommended to upgrade to
SP3 before upgrading IE6 (yes, I said IE6) to either IE7 or IE8. In the
(admittedly rare) event you ever need to revert to IE6, that won't be
able to be accomplished unless you upgrade to SP3 while you still have
IE6. Also, Repair Installs will very well never work unless you do the
above.
I have tried to download IE8 several times and
can't.
Best practice is to roll back from IE7 to IE6, then upgrade to SP3. At
this point, you would configure a Clean Boot(*) and install IE8 (or
(IE7), using this file:
https://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
Actually, it would be this file:
IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.exe
Should you wish to download the installation file for IE7 instead, you
should go here:
http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/...BE-3385-447C-8A30-081805B2F90B&displaylang=en
The file name:
IE7-WindowsXP-x86-enu.exe
(*) To configure a Clean Boot:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
I have SP2 installed with XP pro (version 2002). I noticed
that after I tried and
failed to install IE8, that SP2 was no longer in "Add/Remove
Programs". So, I quess it "erased" it right? (I have a SP2 CD, so I
reinstalled it). I can't remember
the exact error messages when trying to install IE8, but something
about a dynamic library and something like exe. .....??
Failing to install IE8 does not result in the elimination of SP2.
Perhaps you just didn't see it in the list (perhaps the "Show updates"
box was unchecked). What you should have done was to run winver or look
at Properties in My Computer; that would have told you what SP you were
running.
Was this CD simply the one used to upgrade Windows XP to SP2? Or did you
actually use a Windows XP (with SP2) installation CD to perform a Repair
Install?
In the future, copy down the error messages so you may post them here
verbatim!
Also, it would be a good idea to print this page (a very helpful post by
PA Bear):
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/1d0cd34de0fb10a4?hl=en
Finally, it is crucial to be malware-free all the time, *especially*
before upgrading to new Service Packs, versions of IE, etc.