Vista

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

davb wrote: »

The log you posted doesn't give any obvious clues - not to me at least. Checking some of the stuff from it and your other log shows some mentions of similar problems, but nobody with a real fix. People have KB947821 installing multiple times & still showing as needed to be installed. The log does mention KB967723 as a possible problem so it may be worth downloading here and installing manually - it may just unblock the service pack install

There are also suggestions of installing the standalone service pack 2 in safe mode, so could be worth a go.

SFC is an option, but you need the Vista DVD, and it seems to have mixed results.
For an inplace upgrade you would also need the DVD.

I tried downoading from your link - it failed to install.
I might have a go at installing in safe mode (is that reboot while pressing the shift key?)

davb

For safe mode press F8 on boot.

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

Worth a try but standalone cannot run in safe mode (or so the dialogue box which popped up indicated)

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

could be my answer:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WINDOWS-VISTA-HOME-PREMIUM-DVD-GENUINE-ALL-VERSIONS_W0QQitemZ350132047000QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Software_Software_SR?hash=item51857f0c98&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 (I read the details on one of these and I would need a product key - not sure if that's included in my pre-installed software)
can't help wondering if this would work: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vista-service-pack-1-2-IE8-DVD_W0QQitemZ230387543521QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Software_Software_SR?hash=item35a42aede1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

davester

your product key would be either on your computer base or side as a sticker, or with your recovery disc

spud17

can't help wondering if this would work: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vista-service-...d=p3286.c0.m14

Read the last line of the description.

Please note this is only a collection of the latest system service packs and not the OPERATING SYSTEM

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

spud17 wrote: »

Read the last line of the description.

Please note this is only a collection of the latest system service packs and not the OPERATING SYSTEM

yes I know that - that is the disc entitled (sorry that's the default font size) and I did wonder if it would work:
"Vista service pack 1 & 2 & IE8 DVD"
The other disc which I included is a Vista Upgrade

almillar

The stuff on those DVDs is freely available for download so I don't see the point in buying them off someone trying to make money out of burning them to disc.

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

12 updates were installed this evening - but, of course, not the 3 which keep failing (including service pack 2)
Consumer Direct have advised me to write a recorded delivery letter to Comet quoting Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) and, possibly, my credit card issuer quoting Consumer Credit Act 1974

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

I clicked on the impressive looking Acer Empowering Technology Bar and was faced with the options to "Reset to Factory Settings" or "Reset to Last Back-up". Hooray I thought. I clicked on the second option. It looked good - stuff happening on the screen to represent the restore going as expected and then, suddenly, "Restore Unsuccessful" was displayed and then the "black screen of death" - just a black screen and a flashing cursor.
It would not even boot up. I tried the "Recovery DVDs" and it would not boot from them - just remained black. For 10 minutes or so I thought "that's it - finished!"
Then I remembered that, during boot up, "F12 for boot menu" is displayed (or something like that)
So I tried that F12 and, when the boot menu was displayed, selected Boot From DVD - it started to work the feeling of relief was superb! I was a bit surprised when I had to re-insert disc 1 after disc 2 but it went on and restored fine!
I had contacted Microsoft & Acer & Comet and none of them was able to advise me on that - or prepared me for the screen of death shock.
Now Microsoft have requested feedback on their assistance. The person from Microsoft who had responded seemed very nice but did not help. As she is nice I cannot bring myself to give negative feedback (and she has logged that it was a Customer-Resolved Query).
I'm just glad it's OK now!