Why can't I install Vista SP1?
Sunday, 11 May, 2008
I've tried to install Vista's Service Pack 1 a number of times but it always fails. Why"?
Shane , Auckland, NZ
 If you;'d told us HOW it fails it would have made it easier Shane. Does it just refuse? Is there an error message?
Off the top of my head I'll bet that the system has already auto-updated to SP1 which is why you can;'t do it manually. You can easily check by going Start, Computer, System properties and seeing if it;'s listed there.
Otherwise, Microsoft has a knowledgebase entry for you:
 Reader solutions
chivePosted: 18/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? I was able to install SP1 just after installing a fresh copy of vista... after about eight tries. I realized my problem was that SP1 does not like it when I tried to change the ownership of certain files. I never did find out exctly which ones were causing the problems, but after my last install I chose not to take ownership of any folders or files. Changing ownership also created problems with losing my ability to connect to the internet. Hope this help someone.
(Thanks for the tip Chive. -PZ) LucyPosted: 15/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? I obtained Vista SP1 - a 434 MB download plus saved to desktop from Microsoft - and installed it on my 6 month new laptop.
Only two days ago I used the set of DVD disks I burned 6 months ago to use Windows Complete PC Backup to Recover/Clean Install Vista Ultimate plus Driver software and OEM bundled programs/utilities... Without installing updates and connecting to the internet I installed Vista SP1. The installation took around 1 hour plus several reboots. It works.
My hubby has already installed it as an update on his super core 2 duoed with 8800 GTX with rocket fueled specs and hes had no complaints...Our little home is peaceful... We can install Vista SP1 and on a side note my brother sucessfully installed both Vista SP1 and XP SP3 on his PCs with total success.
We havent tried installing 98 or Me and then installing Vista SP1 or maybe even Mac Leopard plus XP SP3 or 2000 Pro SP4... Surely there must be a way to... andrew peter collinsPosted: 14/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? Hi Paul and the rest of the gang at PC User. I just got back from Bali. Boy, did i need a break. Hi Shane. A friend of mine called me and said that his Acer note book running Vista Ultimate was playing up. He said that he's using 3 for his internet access on the go. As Paul will probably agree with me here, he's taken two bad applications and combined them to make a really big firetruck up! I installed SP3 when i got back (i'm running XP Pro) and while it was downloading and installing, i was sure i was going to have a problem but i didn't, thank goodness. I was reading a PC User magazine about some people who are defecting to Apple with good reason. A friend of mine has the new Leopard Mac and i had a good look at it. What a computer!! Goodbye Macrowank. Shane. Never presume anything. Create a short cut to Microsoft Updates on your desktop and check for updates daily. As i had been away and deliberatley stayed away from all things tech, when i switched on my pc, SP3 did not make itself known at all, even though my pc is switched to Auto Download etc etc. I searched for it manually because i knew it was just around the corner. I get the impression that Microsoft are kinda out of their league now, like a fish out of water. Vista is a joke. They had 6 bloody years to make something brilliant. WOW! Yeah Right. Cheers Andy. :) :) :) Pranesh PALPosted: 13/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? Perhaps you are upgrading XP to Vista Service Pack 1
Perhaps you are trying to upgrade Linux?
Nutha ReaderPosted: 13/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? Is that right? i thught the SP would install all updates if you didn't have them, rather than waiting for a while t downlad them all.,
(Yes, that's all you need. -PZ) ReaderPosted: 13/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? >>>you will find that you will have install all updates up to SP1 before you can install SP1
Not really.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937287
"This article describes the prerequisite software updates that apply to versions of Windows Vista that are mentioned in the "Applies to" section. These software updates are a prerequisite for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). Additionally, these updates help improve reliability when you install or remove Windows Vista SP1."
Installing the prerequisite downloads will all be prompted on the screen when you try and download SP1 anyway. ToddPosted: 13/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? if I read the comment by Richard correctly and added in the appropriate missing words, he is sort of negating one of the purposes of a service pack.... all updates in on installer..... hence myself being able to install Vista from a scratch and then install SP1 without having to connect it to the internet...... but I do have to install all updates before install the service pack that contains all the previous updates.... Just a thought
(No, I;m sure you can just install the SP1 over a fresh installation of Vista Todd. -PZ) Richard burcherPosted: 13/05/2008 re: Why can't I install Vista SP1? you will find that you will have install all updates up to SP1 before you can install SP1
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