SP2 fails to install . again and again etc

I'll start by apologising ..I haven't read all the posts and before someone yells at me for not reading let me just say that I'm ready to throw the damn computer in the trash and Im at the end of my rope. My Compaq presario CQ50 suffered a major crash (actually dropped on floor) and forced me to do a system recovery from those discs I made 4 years ago when I forst got my laptop. Probably needed a good cleaning anyways! Recovery went well, and afterwards about 121 vista (32 bit home premium) updates were installed quickly and without problems. Then Sp2 wanted to come in. No way just hangs

I've tried the readiness update tool..says things are fine. I tried installing from automatic updates and downloaded Windows6.0-KB947821-v24-x86 standalone. Neither will update top SP2. I need SP2 to run Windows Live Essentials photo / email.

I just don't get it. I'm usually pretty good at fixing Windows/software stuff. I used to be a stats programmer 30 years ago I ran DEC10/DEC 20 IBM 370 computers. Can't figure out how to outsmart Vista programmers who have designed these updates to act like terrorist IED's

Please can anyone help?? I have given up.

Sam from Austin

Welcome
Sounds like it could be hard drive problems, test your hard drive.

Thought I had a head crash when I dropped the computer...but after many read/writes installing software/data /photos music etc all readable ... also ran chkdsk which came out clean.

You might have to google around and see if you can find an .iso which has sp2 already included.

They do exist - MS made them . I have them.

Thought as last resort, I would purchase an SP2 CD from Microsoft. Jeez I remember having to do the same thing years ago with WIN XP.

But what about your idea for SP2 iso? Where would I look? Is this like a bit torrent illegal thing?

It probably would have to be via torrent.

( I just found one in a few minutes - it's not that hard.)

Avoid anything that says it includes a product key. Just get an .iso and use your own product key from the sticker on your machine.

MS doesn't sell them anymore as far as I know.

TYou used to be able to d/l them free directly from Digital River ( MS official distributor) - they don't have them now as Vista is no longer on sale - oddly , they do still have vista with sp1 integrated.

If one buys a windows 7 laptop now - your win7 key allows you to "downgrade" to Vista. You have to find your own install media.

When win8 machines go on sale - there are "downgrade" rights to either win7 or Vista - again you have to find your own install media.

MS must be expecting people to d/l the media from wherever they can get it.

I expect there will a lot trying to "downgrade" if they are inflicted with win8.

Found a windows site for SP2 iso download at Download: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone DVD ISO (KB948465) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

but how would this differ from the standalone update Windows6.0-KB947821-v24-x86.msu? Its a lot bigger at 1.3 gig

Bart Howard said:

Thought I had a head crash when I dropped the computer...but after many read/writes installing software/data /photos music etc all readable ... also ran chkdsk which came out clean.

Click to expand...

If there is HD damage only a small sector(s) may be damaged, It would not affect you until writing in that area. The chkdsk is not reliable in this situation. Your computer probably contains a HD self diagnostic test or you can go to the website of your HD manufactuer and take the test. If it is the HD, no matter how you install SP2, you will eventually have problems.

Bart, that's just the service pack.

Might be it is bigger as it has 5 languages in it.

I meant Vista iso with sp2 already included.

It is so much easier - and in your case, you have tried the other way, you have no onther choice.

( There are still another 130 updates after sp2 btw. )

I have just integrated about 100 of them into my Vista inc. SP2 install disc - haven't figured out how to get the others in - because some of them come as .exe not as .msu.

It is very annoying - if you were round the corner , I could just pop a copy round to you.

Hello Bart and welcome to the forums

Could you zip up the following folder and attach it to your next post please?

C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

This should give us a little more info on your problem

Tom

Rich,

I guess you were right the first time about a hd disk error. I ran a disc diagnostic from my compaq bios and it stopped at 80% ... then returned a fatal disk error. Now I can't boot up.

Thanks for the help but it seems now my problems are due more to gravity than an SP2 update and the effects it has on a spinning/writing disk head.

Soon as I find a job I'll get a new laptop. Thankfully I've just enough coal to fire up the steam generator ..... I'm writing this post running my old XP tower circa 2004

I wish you luck with finding a job. Thankfully you have an old machine to keep you going meantime.