Vista: can't install SP1

esuhl

I have tried again and again to install SP1 in Vista, but keep getting the error message:

Installation was not successful
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 was not installed on your computer.
Error code: 0x800F0826. See http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=101139

I have gone through every step in the link above, but can't find any problems. This MS webpage suggested that the problem could be related to Windows Updates (WU) that need to be installed first or have previously failed.

I have checked again, but there are no available updates shown (other than SP1) and I haven't hidden any either.

I've looked through the WU history, and all of the updates that have failed have subsequently been installed successfully except for one which has nothing in the "Name" or "Type" columns - it just says "Failed" and gives the date (25/09/2008). Double-clicking it does nothing.

Does anyone have any ideas at all as to what might be wrong?

aliEnRIK

Do you use comodo firewall or spybots tea timer?
If so switch DEFENSE off on the firewall, and tea timer off (back on once installed obviously)

Iconic

MS give free advice with Vista SP1 problems

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?LN=en-gb&prid=11274&gprid=500921&x=13&y=14

This is what they told me to do.....

' We can try to and install sp1 Manualy from the safe mode

- Try to open these link to download the sp1 setup file and save it on to your local disk c :

- For 32 bits Operating system
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b0c7136d-5ebb-413b-89c9-cb3d06d12674&DisplayLang=en

- For 64 bits Operating system
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=874a414b-32b2-41cc-bd8b-d71eda5ec07c&DisplayLang=en

Once the sp1 is downloaded try to boot the computer in safe mode

SAFE MODE:
You need to start the computer in Safe mode (Procedure: Shut down the computer and as you restart the computer keep on tapping F8 again and again. You will get the windows advanced menu. Highlight "SAFE MODE " press ENTER. Choose the operating system. Log-in as administrator, click Yes to the next message and you will get desktop).
Please let us know about the results as we will be more than happy to analyze them and work on further technical action plan. If you wish to proceed with our phone support option, please call us using the contact information mentioned below.'

spud17

I don't know about Vista, but when SP3 for XP was giving problems, it helped if you could download the whole SP and then install from your HD rather than Win Update.

I think this is the same method as Iconic has put in his links.

Networkguy

A common cause for SP1 not installing is out of date drivers (a big problem with Vista anyway).

So check ALL your device drivers are up to date before you try and do the SP1 install.

esuhl

Thanks, all. I don't have a firewall (except Vista's) and even uninstalled McAfee's antivirus after the first installation failure. I do have Spybot, but only use SDHelper, not TeaTimer...

After the first few attempts I downloaded the full SP1 executable (32-bit, all languages), but still no luck.

I just tried to install SP1 in safe mode, which took about three hours - about twice as long as normal. I was prompted to log on (still in safe mode), and the system properties showed that SP1 had been installed. I chose the relevant option to reboot the PC, and almost immediately saw the message "Service Pack did not install. Reverting changes." The same message appeared after the reboot, and after a long wait (~45mins) I was back at the main desktop with the same error message as I initially mentioned.

Aaaargh!!!!

I previously used the "sfc /scannow" command (as suggested by the Microsoft help pages) so I assume this has checked that the installed drivers are WHQL certified, and therefore okay... In Device Manager, the only warning relates to a "WAN Miniport (SSTP)" network device which doesn't have any drivers installed. The PC is an HP Compaq dc7600, so fairly standard hardware - nothing "exotic" anyway.

I just realised that I forgot to check my hard drive for errors, so I'll do that now, but otherwise I think I'll have to raise a support call with Microsoft... I didn't realise I could do it for free!

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

aliEnRIK

wow

Im amazed it didnt install in safe mode!

Best of luck mate

Iconic

'System resources, such as file data, registry data, and even in-memory data, can develop inconsistencies during the lifetime of the operating system. These inconsistencies might be caused by various hardware failures or might be caused by software issues. In some cases, these inconsistencies can affect the Windows servicing store, and they can cause software updates not to work. The System Update Readiness Tool tries to resolve these inconsistencies'

Try this before you try again....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821

esuhl

Thanks - I had tried the System Update Readiness tool before and though I can't quite remember what happened (I've been trying to install SP1 for quite a while now!) I think it passed.

Anyway, I had a look at the Event Viewer... and saw a message saying that the Event Viewer service failed to start. In the list of services the Event Viewer service was nowhere to be seen. I followed Gary Bouchard's recommendation about halfway down the page on the following forum which re-enabled the Event Viewer: http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/showpost.aspx?postid=1280359&siteid=1&sb=0&d=1&at=7&ft=11&tf=0&pageid=1

Once I'd done that, SP1 installed without a hitch! Now all I've got to do is work out exactly what I've changed by following Gary's advice (normally I wouldn't try anything without knowing what I'm doing, but, well... I was getting desperate!)

Anyway, thanks for all your suggestions - hopefully the above will help anyone else having the same problem.