Unable to install SP2 on Vista

What does the Windowsupdate.log tell you about the errors? (%windir%\windowsupdate.log)

Do you have the latest Update Agent? -> Wuaueng.dll version 7.6.7600.256 for Vista.

Have you ran the "Repair Windows Updates" in Tweaking.com AIO?

Have you ran the MS Vista Windows update Fixit tool
the Fixit tool should do most of the code below:

From a admin command prompt:
Code:
net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

net stop appidsvc

net stop cryptsvc

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak

ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

cd /d %windir%\system32

regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

netsh winsock reset

netsh winhttp reset proxy

ipconfig /flushdns

net start bits

net start wuauserv

net start appidsvc

net start cryptsvc

bitsadmin.exe /reset /allusers

Check to see that you have a pending.xml file, it should be here C:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml.

Check in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS and in the right pane do you see these entires:
PendingXmlIdentifier
NextQueueEntryIndex
AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

Sorry for not answering before now. I've been in bed with a cold or something. I ran Memtest86 per advice and found that two of the four memory modules were causing the problem. I just happened to have two memory modules that matched the computer, installed them and ran Memtest86 again with no errors whatsoever. Then the system did a CHKDSK, apparently some files were repaired and now the system loads, no problem. I tried installing SP1 and it seemed to be installing OK and then a message popped up saying it didn't install successfully. I am currently installing updates in hopes that something will allow me to install SP1 & SP2. This is where I am with this computer at the moment.
 
No go. SP1 & SP2 did not install. I am trying to follow the links that B Trevathan suggested, but IE won't open. I get an error message that only says that an error occured.
 
I suggest starting over from the beginning.

Wipe hard drive.
Do a COMPLETE hardware check with a bootable CD (partedmagic).
Download a FRESH .iso from the link given by bitznpcz with SP2 already on it.
Make sure you are using the correct version.
Make sure drivers are updated most of the Vista SP2 issues I have had are with drivers.
Let us know the results, including the hardware checks run.

Harold

I'm with Harold on this. You been trying various fixes to no avail., the bad memory could have even caused file errors by this time. Too much time in this one trying repairs. Did you run a HD test to be sure the drive itself is in good condition? (Sea Tools, Vivard, etc.)

If it were me, at this point I would wipe the drive with something like Active Kill Disk or DBAN (UBCD), blow everything away & start with a clean slate. An ISO w/ SP2 already contained would be the way to go.

Good Luck! :cool:
 
I ran Memtest86 per advice and found that two of the four memory modules were causing the problem. I just happened to have two memory modules that matched the computer, installed them and ran Memtest86 again with no errors whatsoever. Then the system did a CHKDSK, apparently some files were repaired and now the system loads, no problem. I tried installing SP1 and it seemed to be installing OK and then a message popped up saying it didn't install successfully.

Too many things passing test and then later failing test and too many problems that sound like they could be caused by malware or crapware. I'm think if you don't have a hardware problem like a motherboard going out then it sounds like you have malware in your media somewhere, have you checked for a malware partition?

Take a break from trying to install Vista and all the extra things Dell provides and install Linux Mint and run it for a while (days) that way you can test the hardware over a period of time.
 
I'm with Harold on this. You been trying various fixes to no avail., the bad memory could have even caused file errors by this time. Too much time in this one trying repairs. Did you run a HD test to be sure the drive itself is in good condition? (Sea Tools, Vivard, etc.)

If it were me, at this point I would wipe the drive with something like Active Kill Disk or DBAN (UBCD), blow everything away & start with a clean slate. An ISO w/ SP2 already contained would be the way to go.

Good Luck! :cool:
Amen!

Too many issue going on here to spend time on "trying" to find what's wrong.

Start from square one, then proceed to square 2.

Complete wipe of drive, 1st square.
Complete hardware check, 2nd square.
Etc.,

I've been in this scenario a few times and just threw up my hands, started over and tackled the problems 1 at a time.
 
I suggest starting over from the beginning.

Wipe hard drive.
Do a COMPLETE hardware check with a bootable CD (partedmagic).
Download a FRESH .iso from the link given by bitznpcz with SP2 already on it.
Make sure you are using the correct version.
Make sure drivers are updated most of the Vista SP2 issues I have had are with drivers.
Let us know the results, including the hardware checks run.

Harold
Sorry for not responding until now. I did a complete hardware check as you suggested with partedmagic and no errors were found. I downloaded SP1/SP2 to flash drive. System is still not allowing me to install the SPs. Programs & Features show SP1 as being installed, but system information does not show SP1 as being installed. I am using the correct version for Vista Home Premium. It seems like the SP will install, however, during stage three of the installation it says service pack was not installed and changes are being reverted. I have performed SFC /scannow with the results saying that not all errors were corrected and CHKDSK /f /r and nothing was wrong there. I tried downloading and installing BIOS updates from Dell but keep getting an error message saying, "Flg MFC Application has stopped working".
 
Amen!

Too many issue going on here to spend time on "trying" to find what's wrong.

Start from square one, then proceed to square 2.

Complete wipe of drive, 1st square.
Complete hardware check, 2nd square.
Etc.,

I've been in this scenario a few times and just threw up my hands, started over and tackled the problems 1 at a time.

I tried reinstalling VISTA from the reinstallation disk from dell. I thought that this erases the hard drive. I will do a complete wipe of the drive as you suggest and see what happens from there. Thanks for your advice and patience.
 
I'm with Harold on this. You been trying various fixes to no avail., the bad memory could have even caused file errors by this time. Too much time in this one trying repairs. Did you run a HD test to be sure the drive itself is in good condition? (Sea Tools, Vivard, etc.)

If it were me, at this point I would wipe the drive with something like Active Kill Disk or DBAN (UBCD), blow everything away & start with a clean slate. An ISO w/ SP2 already contained would be the way to go.

Good Luck! :cool:
I ran an HD test with the results showing as good. I will wipe the HD and see what happens. Thank you.
 
I ran an HD test with the results showing as good. I will wipe the HD and see what happens. Thank you.
Forget the Dell disks.....they don't have Service Pack 2, correct?
Quit trying to install the Service Packs.
Use an .iso with SP2 already in it.
Link was provided earlier.

It sounds like you will never get the service packs to install as stand-alones, thus you need to load the operating system from the start with an operating system already containing SP2.
 
Your spinning your wheels here. Do as everyone has suggested, ditch the Dell Disk and get a vanilla Vista SP2 disk. For all you know, there is an issue with the Dell disk that is preventing this install. Or there is that one Dell application pre-loaded that has to be removed, or that one proprietary driver that doesn't play well with the SP's and needs to be removed. Any of these scenario's, you will spend weeks trying to figure out what a fresh download will tell you in a couple of hours.

Wiping the HDD is a good move, IF there's a malware partition. Based on my experience with Vista, its just Vista being Vista. Seen this type of issue with it many times.

And no, Dell restore disks do not "wipe" a drive any more than Windows install disk does. Just re-partitions the drive as it feels necessary.
 
Your spinning your wheels here. Do as everyone has suggested, ditch the Dell Disk and get a vanilla Vista SP2 disk. For all you know, there is an issue with the Dell disk that is preventing this install. Or there is that one Dell application pre-loaded that has to be removed, or that one proprietary driver that doesn't play well with the SP's and needs to be removed. Any of these scenario's, you will spend weeks trying to figure out what a fresh download will tell you in a couple of hours.

Wiping the HDD is a good move, IF there's a malware partition. Based on my experience with Vista, its just Vista being Vista. Seen this type of issue with it many times.

And no, Dell restore disks do not "wipe" a drive any more than Windows install disk does. Just re-partitions the drive as it feels necessary.
Thanks. I will follow everyone's advice.
 
If you want to ship it to me, I'll get Vista SP2 installed on that PC...;)
 
Thanks a million everyone!! SP1 & SP2 installed successfully. I wiped the HD and reinstalled Vista as suggested and now all updates, including service packs, are installed. Just a few other tweaks needed, but nothing major. Again, thanks to everyone for your help.
 
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