SP1 won't install on Windows 7 Ultimate

[pfdunlap]

Hello,
I have Windows 7 Ultimate installed on an older PC and cannot get the service pack 1 to successfully install.
At one time Microsoft Security Essentials was installed, but it has been uninstalled.
I have tried with other virus scanners installed and with no security programs installed.
I have searched the Microsoft forums for any know problems but have not found any help.
Is anyone aware of generic problems related to SP1 and Win7 Ultimate?

 

[inzone]

None that I know of and I have Windows 7 Ultimate and experienced no issues loading service pack 1. Have you been able to do the usual Windows updates?

 

[Kiowa789]

Is your copy of windows pirated?
Are any of the questions above true/false?
Is there anything else you can possibly tell us to help you?

 

[pfdunlap]

Is your copy of windows pirated?
Are any of the questions above true/false?
Is there anything else you can possibly tell us to help you?

No, not pirated. Genuine Microsoft Software. Says Windows is activated and gives the Product Key.

I think I have tried both methods, using Windows Update, and downloading the entire SP1. Both give the same reuslts, runs for several minutes them gives an Error Code [with a big long number / meaningless connection to MS help] and says Installation Cannot Continue. I can find the error code again if it's of any help.

My family has several other PCs with Windows 7 and there have been no problems with the service pack installation.

Just haven't been able to figure this one out.

Thanks for your help,

Paul

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Without the exact error code we're only guessing here.

 

[A Bad Day]

Does the error message say anything about timeouts? I had the same problem, and the only solution was to keep trying to install it even when MS's system ready software said that my computer (Win7 64-bit Home Premium) wasn't compatible with SP1.

 

[pfdunlap]

No, not pirated. Genuine Microsoft Software. Says Windows is activated and gives the Product Key.

I think I have tried both methods, using Windows Update, and downloading the entire SP1. Both give the same reuslts, runs for several minutes them gives an Error Code [with a big long number / meaningless connection to MS help] and says Installation Cannot Continue. I can find the error code again if it's of any help.
My family has several other PCs with Windows 7 and there have been no problems with the service pack installation.
Just haven't been able to figure this one out.
Thanks for your help,
Paul

Additional Information on the aborted install. My mistake, this time there was no error code.
Intstalling 1 of 1, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 for x64-based Systems (KB976932)
Service pack installation can't continue
Software installed on this computer isn't compatible with the service pack. Click the link for more information about this problem.
After the problem is resolved, restart the installation.

Microsoft Security Essentials - your version of this program may prevent successful installation of this service pack.
Go online for details.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/why-am-i-receiving-a-message-about-microsoft-security-essentials-or-microsoft-forefront-client-security-when-installing-a-service-pack

Did as suggested, checked installed programs, neither of these programs show in the list:
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Forefront Client Security

Again, thanks for the help, Paul

 

[A Bad Day]

Try disabling any of your security programs before installing the SP1. Don't try to go into safe mode though, the update wouldn't run.

 

[pfdunlap]

Try disabling any of your security programs before installing the SP1. Don't try to go into safe mode though, the update wouldn't run.

I uninstalled everything prior to running the update, no success. I've just now tryed reinstalling the latest version of MS Essentials to see if that makes any difference. If not, I guess I can try disabling and if that doesn't work, uninstall again.

Getting a bit frustrating, I think I've tried everything except re-imaging my hard drive. Which won't happen. Thanks for the suggestion, Paul

 

[pfdunlap]

Without the exact error code we're only guessing here.

My mistake, this time there was no error code. Here is what takes place:
Intstalling 1 of 1, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 for x64-based Systems (KB976932)
Service pack installation can't continue
Software installed on this computer isn't compatible with the service pack. Click the link for more information about this problem.
After the problem is resolved, restart the installation.

Microsoft Security Essentials - your version of this program may prevent successful installation of this service pack.
Go online for details. Which I did. Did as suggested, checked installed programs, neither of these programs show in the list:
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Forefront Client Security

Again, thanks for the help, Paul

 

[pfdunlap]

Did you download the whole SP1, or are you going through windows update?

I think I have tried both methods, using Windows Update, and downloading the entire SP1. Both give the same reuslts, runs for several minutes them gives a meaningless connection to MS help. Says Installation Cannot Continue, is not compatible with this version of Microsoft Security Essentials. MS Security Essentials has been uninstalled, but must have left something set in the registry that is preventing installation of SP1. Making me crazy.

My family has several other PCs with Windows 7 and there have been no problems with the service pack installation.

Just haven't been able to figure this one out.

Thanks for your help,

Paul

 

[A Bad Day]

Uninstallation is almost always incomplete. CCleaner on my laptop is still reporting that I have software that I uninstalled a long time ago, including a non-existent Office 2007 (I uninstalled more than a year ago) keeps collecting junk files.

 

[pfdunlap]

Uninstallation is almost always incomplete. CCleaner on my laptop is still reporting that I have software that I uninstalled a long time ago, including a non-existent Office 2007 (I uninstalled more than a year ago) keeps collecting junk files.

First, thanks to everyone for at least trying to help.

I tried something that makes no sense to me, but perhaps this is what Microsoft intended. Even though Security Essentials was uninstalled, I went ahead and downloaded the latest version of Microsoft Security Essentials and INSTALLED it. Even ran a scan. Then I tried the SP1 Update (with MS Security Essentials still installed) and miracle of miracle, the service pack installed, no complaints, no problems. After that finished, and rebooted several times, the rest of the important updates also installed, no glitches.

I haven't a clue why it didn't work, or why it did. Nothing would have made me think this was even worth trying. Perhaps just plain old desperation. Anyway, all is good once again, and thanks to everyone for the thoughts and help.

Hopefully I can manage to keep things updated. Now to uninstall Security Essentials and put a useful program in place!

Paul

 

[A Bad Day]

Welcome to the club of confusion. It took me about 5 tries and 5 "Timeout error" before SP1 would install on a freshly installed Win7.