Windows 7 SP1-slipstreamed or integrated. Any install problems?

[Ponmayilal]

OK, we have now heard hundreds of instances of trouble updating to SP1.

Now looking at a different angle, it would be interesting to know how many either slipstreamed SP1 to Windows 7 or downloaded the officially/unofficially available integrated Windows 7 SP1 and used it for a clean install. Have they encountered any problems during the installation?

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

No problems for me, not much difference noticed apart from quicker startup and shutdown and it resumes from sleep as it didn't before.

It is a risk, try it if your willing to loose data only because these installs can lead to data corruption

 

[brady]

Updated from Windows Update on home machines and domain machines - All successful

Updated through WSUS push - Failed

Haven't nailed down a common scenario with any failed update, yet. Will post back with any findings.

 

[WiFi Ed]

OK, we have now heard hundreds of instances of trouble updating to SP1.

Now looking at a different angle, it would be interesting to know how many either slipstreamed SP1 to Windows 7 or downloaded the unofficially available integrated Windows 7 SP1 and used it for a clean install. Have they encountered any problems during the installation?

I downloaded and used the officially available integrated iso from TechNet which worked flawlessly.

 

[mickey megabyte]

...

I downloaded and used the officially available integrated iso from TechNet which worked flawlessly.

me too - no problems whatever installing home premium x86 on my netbook.

i plan to install ultimate x64 on desktop soon.

 

[bagavan]

OK, we have now heard hundreds of instances of trouble updating to SP1.

Now looking at a different angle, it would be interesting to know how many either slipstreamed SP1 to Windows 7 or downloaded the unofficially available integrated Windows 7 SP1 and used it for a clean install. Have they encountered any problems during the installation?

I downloaded and used the officially available integrated iso from TechNet which worked flawlessly.

Same here.

 

[DeaconFrost]

It blows my mind that people would try anything termed "unofficial" when it comes to their OS. I've already upgraded my entire company to SP1 without any issues (30 machines total) and another 10 for family and friends, also without issue.

I think many people are having trouble because they didn't bother with any of the normal pre-SP steps that have been in place for years: Update drivers, scan/remove and malware, etc.

As for the methods of install, most have been from the downloaded SP1 file, but a few have been from the official integrated discs, and I haven't come across a single issue yet.

 

[alphanumeric]

Downloaded the unofficially available integrated Windows 7 SP1 and used it for a clean install. The MD5 and Hash codes matched the official Technet release so I'm not worried.
No problems with the install or afterward, business as usual for me.

 

[y0himba]

It blows my mind that people would try anything termed "unofficial" when it comes to their OS. I've already upgraded my entire company to SP1 without any issues (30 machines total) and another 10 for family and friends, also without issue.

I think many people are having trouble because they didn't bother with any of the normal pre-SP steps that have been in place for years: Update drivers, scan/remove and malware, etc.

As for the methods of install, most have been from the downloaded SP1 file, but a few have been from the official integrated discs, and I haven't come across a single issue yet.

Actually, some of us DID everything that Microsoft, this website and others had to offer when trying to install SP1 and it still failed. The SP installed on 4 other machines here with no issue, but would go for 1 hour and 20 minutes then fail on this one.

According to the folks I spoke to at Microsoft, the reason mine was failing was due to the fact that that I obtained my Windows 7 Ultimate DVD at a launch event, then upgraded my existing Vista install with it. File mismatch errors which SFC did not find. They told me a repair install was the way to go, and I knew that it was okay to do a repair or "in place upgrade" install as long as the disc was the same version or newer (SP1). They will be distributing patches to address the many issues with failed installs.

I was the first here to slipstream the DVD then use it to do a repair install with SP1 already included. Since then others have done the same, and it seems the easiest way to correct issues with the SP1 install.

Read the thread here to see mine and others' experiences with an SP1 in place upgrade or repair install:

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...28-windows-7-sp1-install-fail-0x8007000e.html

 

[DeaconFrost]

Actually, some of us DID everything that Microsoft, this website and others had to offer when trying to install SP1 and it still failed. The SP installed on 4 other machines here with no issue, but would go for 1 hour and 20 minutes then fail on this one.

If you take note of my comments, I said many people....not all people, or every person who had a failure.

Given your description, chalk that up to yet another reason why many people (not all, keep in mind) frown upon upgrade installs in favor of clean.

 

[y0himba]

Oh I agree! Clena is best. However, I have files on my system from the late 90's and before Windows XP even, as well as programs I hate to try and re-install, locating licenses and so forth. At that time I was not running a second physical drive for backup. I used a partition. I purchased a second drive when I was able to upgrade to a system that supported SATA and a raid configuration, realized I did not need the small performance boost that raid offers, so went back and began using 2 physical drives, one of which is backup, My Documents, and storage.

Add to that the fact that Microsoft uses it as a selling point, specifically stating that "you will not lose your important files with an upgrade" and so forth. I am of the crew that hates a format if not necessary, however I am thinking of doing just that.

 

[DeaconFrost]

With Windows 7, it only takes between 1 and 2 hours to do a full reinstall, update, and application install. So many people complain about the process and the time...instead of realizing that it could have been done so easily and quickly. Don't be afraid of the clean install. It's worth it in the end. It gives you a chance to load the latest drivers, latest apps, and have them running at peak efficiency.

 

[y0himba]

It's not the time, it's finding the licenses and registration info. Some of the freeware I love is no longer around, so I need to dig through many backup DVDs and CDs to find what I use. I am an old fart set in my ways.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Aside from Googling the app names, have you ever been to OldVersion.com ?

 

[y0himba]

Yep, both. I know it is time for a format, but I must resist. I MUST!

 

[G1LLY]

Did 2 clean installs using official intergrated ISO.

Updated 1 computer via Windows Update.

All 3 computers are running OK & have had no problems as of posting

 

[Ponmayilal]

It blows my mind that people would try anything termed "unofficial" when it comes to their OS....

I am equally blown away. Please tell me one reason why Microsoft is not making available the integrated Windows 7 to all genuine Windows 7 users? Why only to Technet and MSDN? Haven't we paid for Windows 7?

I am any way glad you had subsequently veered towards that many (though not all) would prefer a clean install as the best way.

If only MS makes available the SP1 integrated version to all, why would anyone want to download the unofficial version and then cross-check the MD5 and Hash codes to confirm that it is no different from the original official version?

 

[DeaconFrost]

I wish I knew why the OSes weren't more readily available. You can download any of the .iso files now, legitimately, from DigitalRiver, but as of last check, they are still the pre-SP1 versions. At this point, at least, there's no harm in using on of those and then running the full SP1 installer right afterwards, but it is an extra step and does add time to the equation. If I didn't have a TechNet or MDSN account, I'd be checking those DigitalRiver links once a week or so to see if/when they get updated.

But going back to the main topic, since the license key is what makes the install valid, and Microsoft knows so many tech people burn copies of their discs for friends and family...why not just make the actual software available for free? Take something like VMWare Workstation. You can download the trial anytime you want. If you want to continue using it, you need a legit key. Windows 7 basically works the same way, so why not make that available (publicly, and not hidden on DigitalRiver's site).

 

[alphanumeric]

Letting someone with a legal, activated windows 7 install, validate and download a SP1 version ISO would be a nice thank you from Microsoft for buying it in the first place. Especially for those with laptops, netbooks, etc that didn't include an actual DVD in the first place. From a security stand point its a win situation too. If you could get it from Microsoft you wouldn't have to resort to "other means". I don't think it would impact Technet or MSDN subscription sales either, there you're paying for the Licenses, not the media. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DeaconFrost]

That's what I don't understand about it. The disc is nothing more than a trial by itself. They freely advertise the 90 day trial of Windows 7 Enterprise....so why not let anyone try the software?