Boot fails after SP1 install

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?

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'.

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

Jacee said:

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

Use Windows firewall and MSE https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...2-33d813687a7f

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?

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)

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

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.

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.

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.