Solved Boot fails after SP1 install

[dlorde]

I've just tried twice to install Win7 Service Pack 1 on a relative's Acer desktop PC - which runs ZoneAlarm anti-virus, but has very little else apart from Word installed.

Each time, the download and install process seemed to go OK; however, when the system rebooted, it displayed the Windows startup logo, but at the point where the logo goes away and you expect to see the mouse appear, it just froze with a blank grey screen. I left it for a while, but nothing happened.

Eventually, I power-cycled the PC and an error message was displayed and a Windows boot selection was offered: Repair (recommended) or Start Normally. Choosing 'Start Normally' repeated the boot and freeze sequence. Choosing 'Repair' started the startup repair procedure, which failed with 'The operating System is incompatible with Startup Repair'. Trying the 'Advanced Restore' procedure reported 'No restore points', although I had explicitly created one before the update, and the update itself creates one.

I managed to fix it by running 'Startup Repair from the original Windows 7 installation DVD.

The PC works fine now, but Service Pack 1 isn't installed. I have had to turn off automatic updates so that it won't get installed.

Does anyone know what the problem might be, or suggestions for a fix?

Failing that, is there a way to disable the 'Service Pack 1' entry in 'Windows Updates' so that automatic updates can be enabled?

 

[gunneradt]

interesting

I had a similar horror story with an acer desktop with zone alarm firewall installed

Ive read no concflicts about zone alarm and sp1.

To use windows update without sp1 just right click and select 'hide'.

 

[Jacee]

Totally uninstall ZoneAlarm (scroll down) Ultimate List of Uninstallers: [3] Uninstallers for Other Programs

Use Windows firewall and MSE https://www.microsoft.com/downloads...FamilyID=e1605e70-9649-4a87-8532-33d813687a7f

 

[dlorde]

Thanks gunneradt, I hadn't seen the 'Hide' option - too rushed, I guess

 

[dlorde]

Totally uninstall ZoneAlarm (scroll down) Ultimate List of Uninstallers: [3] Uninstallers for Other Programs

Use Windows firewall and MSE https://www.microsoft.com/downloads...FamilyID=e1605e70-9649-4a87-8532-33d813687a7f

Thanks for the suggestion Jacee - I could do that, but SP1 installed on my own PC running ZA without any problems - for various reasons I'd rather not uninstall it unless there's no alternative - I can disable it during the install if that helps. Do you have definite evidence that this type of SP1 problem can be caused by ZoneAlarm, or is it just a 'ZA tends to cause problems' kind of thing?

 

[Sik00]

Microsoft recommends disabling anti virus programs for problems with updating as well. Some could possibly cause conflicts.

Some antivirus software might prevent SP1 from installing, or might slow down the installation. You can try temporarily disabling your antivirus software. If you do so, be sure that you're aware of the risks involved, and be sure to re-enable it after the service pack is installed.

Learn how to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

 

[dlorde]

OK, thanks everyone, you've been very helpful.

 

[dlorde]

Quick problem update - unfortunately disabling or even uninstalling ZoneAlarm did not solve the SP1 install problem. I have had to restore the system and hide the SP1 update.

Still looking for a resolution, but not optimistic.

 

[hgfire]

Extremely Interesting

Been reading many posts concerning inability to get SP1 to work. I too am struggling with one of my machines. I have a rather old ACER yet W7 runs fine w/o problems until I introduce SP1. SP1 downloads, installs, configures and then it tries to reboot. It reboots goes into startup and fix whatever it didn't like, finally it does reboot and return me to a windows state that is pre-SP1. So basically it tried but failed. This machine is current with all updates from MS and is using MS security essentials. This is the 3rd attempt to install SP1 so for now, I have giving up. Not worth the frustration.

 

[Urthboundmisfit]

How/why is this issue marked as "Solved"? Not trying to be snarkastic, I'm researching this for an acquintance (problem installing SP1 + possible conflict w/ ZA) and stumbled across this "Solved" thread thinking I'd just hit the lottery LOL.

 

[hgfire]

Still remains open as far as I can tell

This issue still remains open at least with some Acer machines. I'm responding to your frustration as well because for some of us, this does continue to be an issue.
Like many other posters, I have hidden the SP1 update from trying to install but so far I haven't learned of a solution. A random guess is that there's something on the Acer hidden partition conflicting/not allowing the SP1 update to complete.

Sidebar: I'm looking at this thread title and speaking for myself, the boot failure was never really an issue for me. The issue was that W7 returned my Acer back to a pre-installed SP1 condition.

I'm gonna give it another try in a few months. Presently, it's not an issue. Down the road that may not be the case.

 

[Urthboundmisfit]

@hgfire wrote: the boot failure was never really an issue for me...

Same here for my friend. It wasn't even an Acer.I had other issues personally, the c(buncha zero's)34 error fatal error @ installing update #218 of 10,000,000 or whatever. Had to restore to factory & install SP1 offline.

RANT ON: Seems like an inordinate # of people had issues with this SP, but then again I haven't installed an SP since XP SP2, I usually just slipstream. which wasn't an option with 7 SP1 (OEM version, Micro$oft does not "officially" support slipstreaming) Heaven forbid it if M$ or the OEM's lose out on the 20 bucks for an integrated DVD.
RANT OFF.:sa:

 

[ripbox]

Just wanted to tell of a possible solution for those still suffering from this issue.....

("IF" you have or are able to borrow a copy of Windows 7)
when the system fails to boot after service pack 1, insert the windows 7 disc and follow the motions is if to do a new install (without format!) when you reach the part asking to chose your drive, cancel this installation, remove the disc and allow to boot as normal
all being well the windows 7 disc will have reset the boot record and important files and you should be able to boot your system
(there is no guarantee this will work, however it does work for similar issues in vista)

 

[frcn]

A friend bought an Acer today. Set it up for him. Did the auto updates for Win 7. Tried to install ZoneAlarm and had problems. Got a pop up that said I needed to install SP1 and gave a ZoneLabs link for /Vista. Contacted ZL Tech Support and got no help. Just did a search and found this at Can't install firewall in Windows 7 computer - asks for Vista SP1 update - ZoneAlarm User Community :

Try this Solution..

Please download ZoneAlarm Free, make sure to save it to your Desktop and not run it.

1.) Download the Latest ZAFree installer preferably with IE Browser and (no Download Manager/accelerator like Get-Right, Livewire, Bit-Torrent, uTorrent) and save it to your Hard drive.

Click Here ==> ZoneAlarm free Firewall updates

Once done, right-click the installer, then click properties, and then click the compatibility tab.

Make sure that nothing is checked, and make sure that Windows Vista is not chosen.

Once done, click the apply button, click ok, and then install ZoneAlarm Free again by clicking on the installer saved on your desktop...