Article ID: 947366 - Last Review: October 14, 2011 - Revision: 11.0

How to troubleshoot Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack installation issues

System TipThis article applies to a different operating system than the one you are using. Article content that may not be relevant to you is disabled.

Support for Windows Vista without any service packs installed ended on April 13, 2010. To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure you're running Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 (SP2). For more information, refer to this Microsoft web page: Support is ending for some versions of Windows

Expand all | Collapse all

SYMPTOMS

This article discusses how to troubleshoot issues when you are installing a service pack for Windows Vista or for Windows Server 2008.

When you try to install a service pack, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Installation was not successful
An internal error occurred while installing the service pack
The error message may also refer to one of the following error codes:
  • 0x80070002
  • 0x8007000D
  • 0x80073712
  • 0x800B0100
  • 0x8024200D
Note This article does not list all the possible error codes or messages that you may receive. We recommend the resolutions in this article to resolve installation issues, regardless of the error codes or messages that you may receive.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if one of the following conditions is true:
  • A program on your computer interfered with the installation of the service pack.
  • There is an inconsistency in the Windows Servicing Store. The Windows Servicing Store is a component that is required to successfully install the service packs.

Troubleshooting Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service package installation

To resolve this problem, try each resolution in the "General Troubleshooting" and the "Advanced troubleshooting" section in the order in which they are presented. After you try a resolution, try to install the service pack again. If you still cannot install the service pack, try the next resolution.

General Troubleshooting

Resolution 1: Install the stand-alone package for the service pack instead of using Windows Update to install the Service Pack

Click here to view or hide detailed information

Resolution 2: Run the System Update Readiness Tool

Click here to view or hide detailed information

Resolution 3: Close or disable any applications that may be running, restart the computer, and then install the service pack

Click here to view or hide detailed information

Advanced troubleshooting

If your problem is still not resolved, you can try the advanced troubleshooting steps on your own, or you may want to contact Microsoft support.

Resolution 4: Uninstall any security applications, restart the computer, and then install the service pack

Click here to view or hide detailed information

Similar problems and solutions

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
971204 Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack installation fails with error 0x80004005
939399 Error message when you try to perform a backup on a Windows Vista-based computer: "0x80071A91"
931712 The "Windows Features" dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you receive an error message that includes the following code when you try to use Windows Update: "0x80073712"
If the problem is not resolved, unfortunately this content cannot help you any further. So, you might want to search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for other solutions. To search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1, when used with:
    • Windows Vista Ultimate
    • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Enterprise
    • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Business
    • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Home Premium
    • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Home Basic
    • Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2, when used with:
    • Windows Vista Ultimate
    • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Enterprise
    • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Business
    • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Home Premium
    • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Home Basic
    • Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
Keywords: 
kbproductlink kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbpubtypekc kberrmsg kbprb kbcip KB947366