vista 32 bit re-install SP1

Had to re-install my daughters old laptop with its factory version of vista basic 32 bit. It only allows access to IE 7 and clearly went let me upgrade to chrome or access many other websites. i understand this is probably because the service packs haven't updated yet on the laptop.

SP1 keeps saying it is available, i click update where i now get the dialog box saying it may take a while etc etc. it installs within seconds though then the update says SP1 is available still. clearly it hasn't upgraded and i cant even get to the latest internet explorer or many other websites until the laptop fully updates.

Should i have to keep saying yes to the SP1 update as i must have done this 15 times so far??? does it install in small increments??

many thanks,

please keep your replies in simple speak LOL

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

As Vista Gold (without service packs) is useless as it isn't supported, I can email you a link to my cloud storage Vista ISO w/SP2 included, that will save you having to install any service packs, but there will obviously be lots of updates to go to make it current.
As I can't send you a private message, you need to post your email - disguised, as in abc AT xyz DOT com which you can edit out of the post once it's done.
Perfectly safe as I've been doing this service for months in another thread here: http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/296167-vista-iso-download.html

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

BTW the linl in that 1st post linked above, has only SP1 included, if it works, half the time it doesn't. That's where my ISO's came in useful.

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

You need SP1 and SP2.

SP1:

32 bit:
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330)

64 bit:
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330)


SP2:

32 bit:
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone (KB948465)

64 bit:
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465)

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

If you are going to do it the hard way, downloading and installing each Service Pack individually, then I recommend you disable any antivirus whilst installing. That is often the major cause of failure when trying this.

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

As for doing it the hard way, I would suggest downloading SP1 from Softonic as discussed in http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/303721-vista-sp1-catch-22-a.html. The moral of this story is that you should back up with imaging software such as Macrium Reflect.

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

If IE7 won't download the Service Packs, install Firefox.

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

Vistaar said:

As for doing it the hard way, I would suggest downloading SP1 from Softonic as discussed in http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/303721-vista-sp1-catch-22-a.html. The moral of this story is that you should back up with imaging software such as Macrium Reflect.

Click to expand...

I DO NOT recommend installing a Windows service pack from a third party website. You should download it from the links ztruker provided.

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

Thanks to all of you who replied. I did take the option of finding sp1 on Softonic by chance and having downloaded it the laptop has now just installed sp2 and ie9......so I think I am nearly up to date. ..just wish I had looked for advice in the first place here. Really helpful advice from all so most appreciated wherever you all are in the world. What's the best way of preventing this occurring again?

Re: vista 32 bit re-instal SP1

The best way of avoiding this situation is to create an image of your fully-updated system drive, including programs. After searching these forums, I decided on Macrium Reflect, but there are other alternatives.

townsbg said:

I DO NOT recommend installing a Windows service pack from a third party website. You should download it from the links ztruker provided.

Click to expand...

Vista factory images usually have only IE 7. Microsoft no longer supports IE 7, and you cannot download anything from the Microsoft website using IE 7. (True, you could download the SP1 installer to another PC and transfer it to the Vista PC by various means.) For that matter, Microsoft no longer supports SP1, so there's no use complaining that their SP1 update regularly fails to install. Frankly, I suspect that they deliberately sabotaged it after ending support for SP1. I experienced no known problems as a result of downloading SP1 from Softonic, where IE 7 still works. My Vista PC has since been fully updated with SP2 etc, no viruses or malware detected.

There are other browsers.