Vista Tutorial - Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it

**Brink** · 03-19-2008

Hello everyone,

If the final Vista SP1 did not show up for you in your Windows Update in the Control Panel (Classic View), then this may help explain why and how to get it to.

Why you may not have SP1 in Windows Update:
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not available for installation from Windows Update and is not offered by Automatic Updates

NOTE

What 32-bit or 64-bit Vista do I have?

Open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click on Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

SP1 Release Notes:

32 bit (x86) Standalone Vista SP1
Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330)
NOTE: For English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional) only.

OR

Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone (KB936330)

64 bit (x64) Standalone Vista SP1
Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330)
NOTE: English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional) only.

OR

Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330)

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**dustinfrank** · 03-19-2008

Thanks, Brink. Its good to have that in one place. The frustrating thing for me is that none of that applies to my laptop at all (Home Premium) but it still does not show up in Windows Update. Grr. On my desktop i realized i had allowed the language packs (all of them) to be installed back in the fall and i'm in the process of uninstalling them before i expect to see SP1 there (Vista Ultimate). Oh well, i guess i'll keep clicking "check for updates" periodically...

ronpou · 04-01-2008

I read this KB bulletin a hundred times and I still cannot figure out why Win Updates does not offer SP1 when I check of updates. I mean I went through it with a fine tooth combe and didn't see any reason why it isn't offered (got new bios, new drivers, new evryting just to meet the requirements... still nothing).

I wish MS Update could give out a small diagnotic message indicating why it isn't being offered when it runs. I guess it would be too much to ask MS to do that for major releases like SP!

**Brink** · 04-01-2008

Hi Ronpou,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

I'm not sure why you are not recieving it through Windows Update yet.
Have you tried downloading and using the standalone SP1 installers yet?

You might see if you can find out why in this link. It is the Microsoft Vista SP1 forum.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) - TechNet Forums

Shawn

samboread · 04-17-2008

What About vista x86?

**Brink** · 04-17-2008

Hi Samboread,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you already tried installing the 32 bit (x86) standalone download to see if it will work for you?

Shawn

samboread · 04-17-2008

No I haven't... I will try later..

Cheers

**OmegaWolf747** · 04-18-2008

I believe all my drivers are up to date. I do however, have an unofficial driver for my nVidia GeForce 8700M GT from LaptopVideo2Go. Would using an unofficial driver prevent SP1 from being available via the automatic updater?

Do all my hardware drivers need to be up-to-date to get the service pack, or just the critical ones like video, sound, etc.?

Is it best to use the updated drivers provided by Windows Update, or to download from the original manufacturer's site? I've read horror stories about some bad drivers being downloaded through the MS updater.

**Brink** · 04-18-2008

Hi OmegaWolf,

Having unsigned or unofficial drivers could prevent the SP1 from showing up in Windows Update. While you should always have the latest driver version, I believe that as long as it's not to out of date and is signed, then it should be fine. You might try the standalone version of the SP1 to see if it will install for you. There have been a lot less problems reported with using that version than through Windows Update.

I always found it best to get the drivers from the original manufacturer's site for the correct and latest versions.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Animalzilla1** · 07-16-2008

Get this for serously messed up.

Operating with:
ASUS M2N-E Sli board with Nvidia chipset + Drivers
AMD Black edition 3.2G dual core 64Bit processor
3BG Ram
BFG 8800GTX OC Graphics
Vista Ultimate X64
500GB WD Hard Drive
Plus more info if you need it.

I have been pulling my hair out with Vista and I'm starting to wish I didnt waste my cash on it.

I have updated vista with every update I can possibly do, those that have failed I have downloaded individually and each time Vista tells me the update does not apply to my machine. Fair enough I suppose.

Now, I'm trying to install SP1 through win update, every time I try, it gets all the way to the end stage 1 and 2 complete fully, stage 3 reads 100% complete and then it decides what SP1 didnt install correctly and therefore it reverts the entire system back to how it was with no explaination what so ever. No error messages no nothing.

Anyone had this happen to them?

I have used both Win update and Standalone SP1 updates.

03-19-2008	#2 (permalink)
dustinfrank Dork Join Date: Feb 2008 Vista Ultimate 32bit/Windows 7 RC build 7100 98 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you Thanks, Brink. Its good to have that in one place. The frustrating thing for me is that none of that applies to my laptop at all (Home Premium) but it still does not show up in Windows Update. Grr. On my desktop i realized i had allowed the language packs (all of them) to be installed back in the fall and i'm in the process of uninstalling them before i expect to see SP1 there (Vista Ultimate). Oh well, i guess i'll keep clicking "check for updates" periodically...
My System Specs

04-01-2008	#3 (permalink)
ronpou Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Vista 64-bit 1 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it I read this KB bulletin a hundred times and I still cannot figure out why Win Updates does not offer SP1 when I check of updates. I mean I went through it with a fine tooth combe and didn't see any reason why it isn't offered (got new bios, new drivers, new evryting just to meet the requirements... still nothing). I wish MS Update could give out a small diagnotic message indicating why it isn't being offered when it runs. I guess it would be too much to ask MS to do that for major releases like SP!
My System Specs

04-01-2008	#4 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,810 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it Hi Ronpou, Welcome to Vista Forums. I'm not sure why you are not recieving it through Windows Update yet. Have you tried downloading and using the standalone SP1 installers yet? You might see if you can find out why in this link. It is the Microsoft Vista SP1 forum. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) - TechNet Forums Shawn
My System Specs

04-17-2008	#5 (permalink)
samboread Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Ultimate x86 2 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it What About vista x86?
My System Specs

04-17-2008	#6 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,810 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it Hi Samboread, Welcome to Vista Forums. Have you already tried installing the 32 bit (x86) standalone download to see if it will work for you? Shawn
My System Specs

04-17-2008	#7 (permalink)
samboread Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Ultimate x86 2 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it No I haven't... I will try later.. Cheers
My System Specs

04-18-2008	#8 (permalink)
OmegaWolf747 Lone Wolf Join Date: Oct 2007 Vista Home Premium x86 SP2 58 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it I believe all my drivers are up to date. I do however, have an unofficial driver for my nVidia GeForce 8700M GT from LaptopVideo2Go. Would using an unofficial driver prevent SP1 from being available via the automatic updater? Do all my hardware drivers need to be up-to-date to get the service pack, or just the critical ones like video, sound, etc.? Is it best to use the updated drivers provided by Windows Update, or to download from the original manufacturer's site? I've read horror stories about some bad drivers being downloaded through the MS updater. Last edited by OmegaWolf747; 04-18-2008 at 10:25 AM..
My System Specs

04-18-2008	#9 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,810 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it Hi OmegaWolf, Having unsigned or unofficial drivers could prevent the SP1 from showing up in Windows Update. While you should always have the latest driver version, I believe that as long as it's not to out of date and is signed, then it should be fine. You might try the standalone version of the SP1 to see if it will install for you. There have been a lot less problems reported with using that version than through Windows Update. I always found it best to get the drivers from the original manufacturer's site for the correct and latest versions. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

07-16-2008	#10 (permalink)
Animalzilla1 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Vista X64 Ultimate 30 posts	Re: Why SP1 may not be available for you and how to get it Get this for serously messed up. Operating with: ASUS M2N-E Sli board with Nvidia chipset + Drivers AMD Black edition 3.2G dual core 64Bit processor 3BG Ram BFG 8800GTX OC Graphics Vista Ultimate X64 500GB WD Hard Drive Plus more info if you need it. I have been pulling my hair out with Vista and I'm starting to wish I didnt waste my cash on it. I have updated vista with every update I can possibly do, those that have failed I have downloaded individually and each time Vista tells me the update does not apply to my machine. Fair enough I suppose. Now, I'm trying to install SP1 through win update, every time I try, it gets all the way to the end stage 1 and 2 complete fully, stage 3 reads 100% complete and then it decides what SP1 didnt install correctly and therefore it reverts the entire system back to how it was with no explaination what so ever. No error messages no nothing. Anyone had this happen to them? I have used both Win update and Standalone SP1 updates.
My System Specs