When you try to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may receive one of the following error messages:
Error message 1
Installation was not successful
Error message 2
An internal error occurred while installing the service pack
An error code may also be mentioned in the error message.
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Please try the following resolutions in order.
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Resolution 1: Restart your computer and check Windows Update again
Sometimes an installation can fail because a previous operation was not completed. By restarting your computer, you close any pending computer functions and start the process again.
Windows Update can also detect a Failed Service Pack install from a known servicing issue. Microsoft has developed a tool that will resolve this issue. This tool will be offered by using Windows Update.
After your computer has restarted:
| 1. | Click Start , and then click All Programs. |
| 2. | Click Windows Update. |
| 3. | In Windows Update, click Check for updates in the upper-left corner. |
| 4. | You may be offered Service Pack 1 again. Or, you may be offered a tool to resolve your installation issue.
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| 5. | If you run the installation tool, return to Window Update after you run the tool, and then click Check for Updates again. |
Note If the Service Pack install failed because of a known servicing issue, Microsoft has developed a tool that will resolve this issue.
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Resolution 2: Check your hard disk for errors
For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
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Resolution 3: Run the System File Checker tool
To determine whether the issue that you are experiencing is caused by one or more system files that are used by Windows Vista, run the System File Checker tool. The System File Checker tool scans system files and replaces incorrect versions of the system files by using the correct versions.
To run the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:
| 1. | Click Start , and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
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| 2. | Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password or click Continue.
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| 3. | At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER:
sfc /scannow
When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved.
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Resolution 4: Run the Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool
The Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool is a program in Windows that will test your installed physical memory and report any issues.
To use this tool, follow these steps:
| 1. | Close all applications and save any personal file or documents.
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| 2. | Click Start , and then type memory in the Start Search box.
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| 3. | At the top of the Results box, click Memory Diagnostics Tool. |
| 4. | When the tool opens, click Restart Now and Check Problems. The computer restarts and the diagnostic program starts.
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Note any reported errors. If it is necessary, contact your computer manufacturer.
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Resolution 5: Restart the computer and close or disable any applications that may be running
Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make the computer or the network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you decide to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.
One of the most common causes of installation failure is when a third-party application holds a file open or locks a file that the service pack installation program needs. To minimize this chance, follow these steps before you try to install Windows Vista SP1:
| 1. | Close all applications, and then restart your computer.
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| 2. | After your computer has restarted, disable any antivirus or any antispyware applications that may load during the startup process.
You can usually disable the application from the notification area. To disable an application from the notification area, right-click the third-party program icon, and then click an option to close or to disable the application. The Close option or the Disable option may resemble the following options: Disable, Close, or Exit.
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| 3. | As soon as you close the antivirus or the antispyware application, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the Windows Update site or from the Microsoft Update site. Or, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the full download package.
Note If you have downloaded the full download package, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the full download package.
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| 4. | After you have completed the Windows Vista SP1 installation, enable the antivirus or the antispyware application that you disabled in step 2.
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