XP SP2 Install Error: Atapi.sys is in Use by Another Program or Application

Contributed by davak

August 11, 2004

Tagged: Windows

Several programs can cause this inability to backup atapi.sys when trying to install SP2. Here’s the deal.

Multiple people are reporting that they are getting “atapi.sys” errors during the installation of xp sp2.

This error is caused by programs that create virtual hard drives on your system such as Daemon Tools and Alcohol.

If you see this error, cancel the installation and disable these programs. For me, turning off alcohol was enough. Other users have reported that they had to completely uninstall these types of programs before installing sp2.

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/ Anonymous 4 years ago 1 point
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Ignoring the message was also ok, however the atapi.sys will not be backed up

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Anonymous 4 years ago 1 point
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I can confirm the issue with this.

I had Daemon Tools installed and had to uninstall it to back the file up.

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Bengal 4 years ago 1 point
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I just choose to ignore the error and proceeded with the installation with no problem. I have Daemon tools as well but did not remove it on the fly. Do I need atapi.sys???

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MickeyMouse 4 years ago 1 point
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<ul id="quote"><h6>Bengal wrote:</h6>I just choose to ignore the error and proceeded with the installation with no problem. I have Daemon tools as well but did not remove it on the fly. Do I need atapi.sys???</ul>

It's no big deal... it just won't be backed up. It'll still be there.

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JWest 4 years ago 1 point
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javascript:emoticon(':cry:')
Crying or Very sad

I just chose to ignore ... and now whenever I mount an image with Daemon tools, my system locks up. I've uninstalled and reinstalled a couple of times with no luck.

What now?

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davak 4 years ago 1 point
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Can you install SP2, then uninstall deamon tools, then reinstall sp2, then reinstall deamon tools?

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Anonymous 4 years ago 1 point
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Ahhh this helped me so much. Thank god for google searches. I just typed in the file name, found out alcohol was doing it.. uninstalled and reinstalled. thanks so much!

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Valeri 4 years ago 1 point
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When I tried to install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), the installation stoped, and I got the following error message:
----------------
Copy Error
Setup cannot copy the file Atapi.sys
Ensure that the location specified below is correct, or change it and insert 'Windows XP System Files' in the drive you specify.
-----------------
I know now that the problem is in Alcohol 120%. But at the taime of SP2 installation I
decided to continue Setup without copying this file. Installation was completed
succesfully. However I read that people have problem after that. I want to rall back and start from the beginning. However Microsoft
wrote :
---------------------
Note If you click Yes, the Windows XP SP2 Setup program will continue without creating a backup copy of the Atapi.sys file. If you later remove Windows XP SP2, the Atapi.sys file will not revert to the earlier version, and your Windows XP-based computer may become unstable.
--------------------
So the question is: can I uninstall SP2, Alcohol 120% and install all back
safely? How to rall back correctly?
Tjanks in advance,
Valeri

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davak 4 years ago 1 point
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<ul id="quote">Note If you click Yes, the Windows XP SP2 Setup program will continue without creating a backup copy of the Atapi.sys file. If you later remove Windows XP SP2, the Atapi.sys file will not revert to the earlier version, and your Windows XP-based computer may become unstable. </ul>

If you continued setup, it appears you are stuck. If you are not having any SP2 related problems though, who cares? Just leave your system alone.

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DeepThought 4 years ago 1 point
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As it was impossible to touch the file but quite possible to rename it, I did just that and then copied a new one from the drivers.cab file of the install disk. Maybe a bit more complicated......

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Craig 4 years ago 1 point
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I have the same problem. Chose to ignore, then realised what i have done. Ive un-installed Daemon tools and Alcohol, but somehow i have to un-install SP2 so i can redo it properly. How do i do that?

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Anonymous 4 years ago 1 point
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Use a restore point.

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Anonymous 4 years ago 1 point
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I gotta post this just to tell the story. First off cheers to this forum for providing the answer.

Q:I want to burn an image file that nero doesnt support.
A:Alcohol 120% supported the image so I installed it.
Q:My burner quit working. No problem I have an external one.
A:Plug it in
Q:Burner is USB 2.0 and I have no unused usb's
A:USB 2.0 Card! yea
Q:card wont install without sp1
A:install sp2 after changing key, hours later
Q:atapi.sys not found
A:have to uninstall alcohol 120%

4 hours later im pretty much where I started. o well :)

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Anonymous 4 years ago 1 point
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I found the Copy error and:

1. Looked for atapi.sys files on the disk;
2. Copied the newest version, from the results, into c:windowssystem32drivers;
3. Clicked "retry" and...

every thing went just fine!!

----------------
Kompressor
SLB 4ever

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Anonymous 3 years ago 1 point
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I just ignored the problem, botoom line is it ok or what should i do?

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dlee9707 3 years ago 1 point
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i have the same problem
i took off the virtual drive, didnt work and now i uninstalled it

hoping for the best

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N/A 3 years ago 1 point
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I have Alcohol 120% and I can't install SP1. Now I know why, thanks for the help

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Anonymous 3 years ago 1 point
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I just renamed the atapi.sys file to atapibak.sys and a new atapi.sys, which was unlock and could be accessed, was instantly created by the system. Hope that helps.

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Anonymous 3 years ago 1 point
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If you have Alcohol => remove it .
and retry.
that's it
_________________________________________
my e-mail: dam-@msn.com ( if you need help )
________________________________________

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ReffaCheefa 3 years ago 1 point
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Valeri is right,
Alcohol 120% locks the atapi.sys file from use.
Uninstall Alcohol 120% and install SP2... things go fine.

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Anonymous 3 years ago 1 point
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My sp2 installation said that it can not find file atapi.sys and not that is used by another program and therefor locked.
If I tried to open file for reading in any program I got error that file doesnt exist.
So I renamed atapi.sys to atapi.sys.old and I copyed from WinXP w/ SP1 CD from CDDrive:I386sp1.cabatapi.sys to windowssystem32drivers
This file was exact same size as old one in drivers directory. Well I clicked retry and it worked. Before renaming the non exsisting one I tried to copy atapi.sys to another directory but sp2 installer wasnt pleased so that didnt work.
Anyway this is far more simple solution and you dont have to cancel install of sp2 or uninstall anything

l8r,
TeraByte

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Anonymous 3 years ago 1 point
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I forgot!
If you didint have WinXP w/ SP1 CD then I belive you will find atapi.sys in CDDrive:I386driver.cab

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tickers 3 years ago 1 point
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Help! I keep getting and error message when installing windows xp on my p.c. I am trying to update from windows 98 2nd edition. 'the file atapi.sys could not be found' where do I find it???

Desperate!

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