Cannot install SP1

Vincenzo · 13 Feb 2015

I restored my HP laptop to factory image. Windows Update comes up with SP1 and 9 other updates. I installed the other updates, reboot, then install SP1 KB976932, which oddly shows as only 13 MB. After a reboot, system information does not show the OS as having SP1. Run Win update again, it finds a .net update, install it, reboot. WU finds SP1 again, (same KB number but this time says it is79 - 200 MB), and nine more .net updates. Install the .net updates. Reboot and try to install SP1 again, it gets 75% through, then sits there for hours until I cancel it.

I've run the System Update Readiness Tool. All it does is install a hotfix KB947821. But same thing happens again when I try to install SP1. (Is the System Update Readiness tool supposed to do anything other than the Hotfix? Why not just call it a hotfix then?)

Any ideas what else I can try?

Thanks

ICIT2LOL · 14 Feb 2015

Vincenzo mate it is one heck of a big update and from experience it sometimes takes a few goes but take a look at this Learn how to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) in that listing is a link to the actual SP1 download it might be worth a try. Download Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) from Official Microsoft Download Center

Now I know you wanted to do a factory restore but myself I would have gone with this Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 the ISO is no longer available but take a look at the first paragraph re the ei.cfg removal tool with it you could install from any Windows install disk even a friends. Personally I do this rather than a factory default restore because it gets rid of all the wretched bloatware. All you need for this is the activation code from the sticker on your machine plus the disk will have SP1 on it of course unless it is very old. But the choice is yours of course.:)

Vincenzo · 14 Feb 2015

An odd thing seems to be going on. After the last go round at this, when it was stuck at 75% for three hours, I cancelled it and told it to shut down. Then it said it was installing an update. When I turned it on the next day, System info says it has SP1 now. Not sure what to think. But it is finding more updates now, so maybe it is actually at SP1.

Actually I wanted to do a clean install first but could not get the machine to boot from the install disc. I have a thread on that issue here Cannot boot to Windows installation disc

Thanks

ICIT2LOL · 15 Feb 2015

Vincenzo mate > Start > right click on Computer > click Properties and it will flash up a window like my pic it will tell you if SP1 is there.

Vincenzo · 15 Feb 2015

Yes, that screen says Service Pack 1. It just seems odd the way it seemed locked up, yet now it says it is installed.

Vincenzo · 15 Feb 2015

But I guess it is installed. Previously SP1 was the only update available. Now it presents 188 updates.

ICIT2LOL · 15 Feb 2015

Yes mate it would not run that well at all and I don't think it would do any more updates. It is a pain to be honest and up to recently one could get and ISO that included the SP1 but right now the only way of doing that is the get a genuine disk retail or OEM and run the ei.cfg tool to "unlock" the disk for you to download the Windows version you want - worth keeping in mind if you have to do this again.

For that matter this might interest you for that purpose it explains that tool I mentioned.
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 < it is near the to of the intro.

As for it doing what it did mate it never fails to amaze me how these happen from time to time and I reckon sometimes it is down to luck and being in the right place at the right time if you get my drift.

Just one other tutorial you might like - I use it all the time
Optimize Windows 7

John:)

Vincenzo · 16 Feb 2015

OK thanks, I'll read it through.