Windows 7: Can't do upgrade to fix updates not installing

If your customer want the Windows 7 sp1, then go to:

Download: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details
Please read the whole article.
Good luck

He's tried installing SP1 but can't. I think that some of the updates which failed to install are the same updates that would allow him to install SP1.

SIDE NOTE: The customer is thoroughly convinced that a previous update that was successfully installed is actually the culprit. He feels that it corrupted a DLL or other system file and that is what is blocking his attempts to install some of the later updates. (I ran SFC /scannow but it found no problems.) With this in mind, he uninstalled updates one by one. When he tried uninstalling an update from August 2011, his computer froze and he found it necessary to restore his system from a backup. Unfortunately, he didn't keep any notes so he doesn't know which update he was uninstalling froze his system.

He's tried (via Microsoft's suggestion and other researched info) many of the aforementioned suggestions but to no avail.

The last resort for this situation maybe your customer have to contact MS Support before doing a clean installation?

The customer has already been in contact with MS Support. They worked with him for 3 days then sort of dropped it with no resolution.

Try to see the following:

Troubleshoot problems installing Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
wish you luck

Thanks, Hanna 1, for your input. The suggestions outlined in the "Troubleshoot problems installing SP1 ..." were already run ... successfully (System Update Readiness Tool, Troubleshooter, and turning off security programs.).

I started another thread for what he tried next as a last resort: He tried an upgrade (non-SP1) and got to about 70% completion. He then rec'd an error message about not enough disk space for the installation of applications. He thought that the OS portion was installed, but the installer balked at the disk space (which there was plenty of).

clean install time.

Yeah, I think so, too. Unfortunately, my client doesn't want to re-install his apps which are numerous. This problem may go unfixed.

Question: Might this problem prevent him from upgrading to Windows 8?

Do not know nor do I know if his apps will be win 8 compatible nor do I know which version of Win 8 he is thinking of using.

Simply too many variables.

His options are:
1. (preferrable) a clean install
2. live with the problem.