Hello all. sorry if someone has already posted an answer, but I've been through the forums and haven't come across my error yet.
The situation is this. I had sp1 installed, installed a new video card(Gigabyte 8800GT nforce edition if that helps), had to reinstall the OS before the system would recognize the card. After reboot, I ran update and got a bunch of updates. A few days later, update listed sp1 under automatic updates. i ran the update and got this error:

Code 80070002

I've gotten this error before on another machine and it was pretty easily fixed by deleting a few folders(as per the instructions in the Help guide). This time, it isn't working. I've tried the steps listed at least a Dozen times, I've downloaded the stand-alone update, combined the error fix with a restart, and I always get the same error. Now, my computer is constantly telling me to install the update, but it won't let me. I really don't want to have to reinstall again. That would suck. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Gigabyte DS3R rev 2
4GB PQI ram
Gigabyte 8800GT
Q6600 @ 3.2 Ghz

Oh, by the way, I'm now running Vista Ultimate x64 with the Japanese language pack installed.

Have you done anything with your winsxs directory in the past to free up disk space?

Unfortunately, I'm not sure. I've deleted an old windows directory(ie: an old source that was added as an old windows directory from a previous installation) for example windows.old/users/me/windows (me as in myself of course, not windows millenium Edition) and I also have CCleaner, perfectdisk 8, and kaspersky 6.0. I have run all of these programs recently. unfortunately, until a couple of years ago I used Macs, and now I'm trying to catch up on lost time. I also have an older widows.old.000 directory that I haven't touched. that directory exists from my old x32 installation.

Take a look here and see if this resolves your problem: Fix Error 80070002 When Using Windows Update in Vista » My Digital Life

Sorry that I didn't mention it in my previous post, but I've always done a "clean install" which created the afore mentioned directories. Sorry for the italics, they've suddenly turned on and I fear that I must spend some time trying to turn them off. They hold no meaning other than to to show my apparent incompetence with this OS.

Strange indeed, is this a vlite'd disk or is it an original Vista DVD?

It is a an install from an ultimate disk that I ordered through Yodobashi Camera in Osaka(Umeda). The instalation disk came with the standard case(scissor style) containing two DVDs. x32 and x64. this company is the largest electronics retailer in Japan so I'm prety sure that it can be trusted. It should be the same disk as could be purchasedin another region.

and yes, It is an original vista DVD.

Have you tried the standalone SP1 installer?