SP1 Killed My New PC

Hi,

I just got a new Dell Inspiron 530 (Intel Core2 Duo processor E8200) on Friday, with Windows Vista Home Premium on it. I spent the weekend setting up the PC and exploring Vista (it's the first time I've used it). Everything was working fine until Tuesday morning, when the automatic updates applied SP1.

I left the PC on when I went to work as it was installing update 1 of 3 for SP1. When I got home, the PC said that Windows was unable to start as asked if I wanted it to try to repair itself. It tried that four times and said it could not repair the problem. One of the options it gave me was to restore to a previous point (pre SP1). I tried that option but Vista still won't start.

I finally resorted to the last option it gave me, which was restoring to the factory setup as it was delivered to me (which reformats the hard drive). After completing this, Vista did start normally. However it immediately told me it had 14 updates to apply, after which I was back to the same problem of Vista not being able to start.

I made three hardware changes to the PC. I installed a second SATA hard drive, I installed a firewire/USB port card, and I installed an old PCI modem. The only reason for the modem is that we have a security system, and you have to use the modem to connect to it to make any program changes. Vista accepted the second hard drive and firewire card fine. It did need to download drivers for the modem, but then said it installed fine.

As a last ditch effort (before being on the phone for hours with Dell), I plan to disconnect the second hard drive and remove the firewire and modem cards. Basically restoring the hardware to the way it left the factory. Then I will try restoring the Dell factory image for Vista and seeing if the SP1 update works.

I know I could disable automatic updates so that SP1 does not get applied, but I think that will cause all kinds of future headaches. If this last effort doesn't work, and Dell can't help me out, I'll probably roll back to XP. I really don't want to do that, but I'm not going to put up with an unstable OS either.

Has anyone else had this kind of problem, or does anyone have any other suggestions that I could try? Thanks for the help!

Remove extra hard drives, sound cards, , modem, USB hardware, etc. Stuff you don't need to install SP1. Download the network distribution of SP1 instead. You can launch it from your hard drive.

SCSIraidGURU has made a great suggestion. Really you should not be haveing problems such as this.

I think your version of Vista that Dell gave you is corupt. Believe it! I have seen it happen.

Dell thinks their so smart that they monkey around with the inner workings of the OS. And before anyone starts flaming "Yes They do"!!

You have only had this system for a couple of weeks. If SCSIs suggestion doesnt pan out, dont waste hours or even days trying to solve this over the phone or even by email.

Call dell and tell them to supply you with a OEM version of Vista "straight from Microsoft". No Dell tinkering allowed.

If they refuse tell them you will imediatly return the system to the place of purchase for a full refund. And will proceed to purchase another brand.

If they turn their noses up to that, then I would do just that.

you should not be having these kinds of problems and Dell is responsible.

Long story a little longer.

Dont waste "your" valuble time fixing something that is likely unfixable by the average user.

Hello JSW,

Welcome to the Forums!

I have had trouble with SP1 from WU also.

Get it from here...

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

Also save it for future use; set updates to let you choose to "Install" or not.


Later Ted

I vote for BFK's solution. I too, have had problems with Windows Update installed huge service packs. Too much possiblity of corruption on the download and the interaction with other fixes can be fatal.

Always download the redistributable or "admin / network install" version and you'll be a happy camper. Make sure to either save it to a USB pen drive or burn it on a CD for future use, as suggested above. I'd also try to GET the SP1 from a DIFFERENT machine if possible. If you have something like malware lurking on your drive, that can also be the cause of failures like this.

As to the hardware, it's highly doubtful any of those things caused yor problem, with the exception of the modem. You don'y say WHICH old modem it is, and several HCF, USR, and GVC flavors can be problematic.

I would do as suggested earlier, removing only the modem. Do the SP1, and after everything has completed, then reinstall the modem.

As to the Vista image being corrupt, I would only look there if the disc is severely scratched, otherwise, move on.

Good luck!

I only use network distribution for any Windows service packs. Less problems. Installs much faster.

I started out by removing the PCI modem last night, since that was the once piece of hardware that had to locate and install drivers, and that turned out to be the problem. When I rebooted without the modem, Windows went into repair mode (like it had already done a number of times), but this time it told me that there was a conflict with the modem driver and removed it.

After that, it booted up fine. I'm glad it was able to recover, but it's kind of scary that it loaded the driver in the first place, and that it could not figure out the problem until the modem was gone. It's also strange that the PC booted normally the first few times after I installed the second hard drive, firewire card and modem. I can't say for sure when it actually installed the modem driver however, since it was doing a lot of things with the new hardware and completing various software setups.

I also installed SP1 from the network download with no problems at all. I'm guessing it may have also worked fine through Windows updates after the modem was gone, but it's good to know this is a better way to install updates.

Thanks to everyone for their input! If you're still in a helpful mood, you can take a look at the "My Computer Won't Stay Shut Down" problem I'm about to post. Thanks again!

Make sure all your components are Vista compliant before installing them.