VC++ installation

Hi!

I am just loosing my hair while trying to install VC++ properly.
I am running WIN2000 prof. with all available updates(sp1, pre-sp2, security updates) and have this pile of Visual Studio 6.0 cd roms in front of me.
first thing that does not work is the "windows nt symbols setup". it tells me that not all symbols were found on the VS CDROMS. but they should be there! where else can they be? ok, i installed what was on the cd rom. while debugging in VC++ the debugger tells me "no matching symbolic information found", which has to be expected, if the symbols are not installed properly. any solution?
and when i install VS sp5 and check afterwards the version numbers it says in VB service pack 5, but in VC++ it does not tell anything about a service pack installed. can you please check your VC if it says something about service packs installed there in splash screen or under help?

and i just wanted to learn VC++ ...

Here is the only thing I could find that seemed like what you are talking about.

http://support.microsoft.com/support.../q250/8/43.asp