Windows Vista Service Pack 1

cacti

Do I need to install this on my Dell Desktop? Windows Update keeps telling me to do this but so far it has not installed correctly. My computer is only a few months old. Do I need to do anything before I start the installation? Somewhere I read about installing drivers first. How do I do this? Is there a downside to installing the pack, ie. does it cause more problems than it is worth? Any help gratefully received.

[Deleted User]

There were a series of updates released before the arrival of SP1 that were required to prepare the computer. Have you got any other updates that you haven't installed yet?

It's worth it, it resolves a lot of issues that Vista had on release.

cacti

I have had the computer since mid-April this year and any updates that were flagged as important I have installed.
I have tried to install the Service Pack from Windows Update and they don't say anything about preparing for it. The info. about drivers I got from the internet but I have to say I did not really understand it!

[Deleted User]

Is it giving you any error messages when it fails to install?

Have you tried downloading the service pack from the Microsoft website and installing it that way?

cacti

It just says 'installation failed' or 'unsuccessful', I can't quite remember which, no reason given. I have not tried to install it from the Microsoft Website. Would that make any difference?

[Deleted User]

Try the steps in this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366

cacti

Many thanks, I will try that.

cacti

Tried again, this time I got Error code 4C7. I could not find what this meant on Windows Update site. I looked on the internet and found some references to it but did not find out what to do next. I feel like giving up on Service Pack 1. Would that be wise?

Psycence

Not really wise, it bundles a lot of security fixes in...also lots of bugs and issues have been fixed.

With sp1 Vista is a much improved OS.

Make sure all the previous updates are installed, including optional updates.

Update all your hardware drivers, for this go to the manufacturers website (always a good thing)

When attempting to install turn off your anti virus and firewall in case they are blocking critical activity (d/c from the net if you turn off the firewall)

Also do you have Genunine Vista or a....."Cough" Copy "Cough"