Vista SP1 Killed My New PC

Hi,

I just got a new Dell Inspiron 530 (Intel Core2 Duo processor E8200) on
Friday, with Windows Vista Home Premium on it. I spent the weekend setting
up the PC and exploring Vista (it's the first time I've used it). Everything
was working fine until Tuesday morning, when the automatic updates applied
SP1.

I left the PC on when I went to work as it was installing update 1 of 3 for
SP1. When I got home, the PC said that Windows was unable to start as asked
if I wanted it to try to repair itself. It tried that four times and said it
could not repair the problem. One of the options it gave me was to restore
to a previous point (pre SP1). I tried that option but Vista still won't
start.

I finally resorted to the last option it gave me, which was restoring to the
factory setup as it was delivered to me (which reformats the hard drive).
After completing this, Vista did start normally. However it immediately told
me it had 14 updates to apply, after which I was back to the same problem of
Vista not being able to start.

I made three hardware changes to the PC. I installed a second SATA hard
drive, I installed a firewire/USB port card, and I installed an old PCI
modem. The only reason for the modem is that we have a security system, and
you have to use the modem to connect to it to make any program changes.
Vista accepted the second hard drive and firewire card fine. It did need to
download drivers for the modem, but then said it installed fine.

As a last ditch effort (before being on the phone for hours with Dell), I
plan to disconnect the second hard drive and remove the firewire and modem
cards. Basically restoring the hardware to the way it left the factory.
Then I will try restoring the Dell factory image for Vista and seeing if the
SP1 update works.

I know I could disable automatic updates so that SP1 does not get applied,
but I think that will cause all kinds of future headaches. If this last
effort doesn't work, and Dell can't help me out, I'll probably roll back to
XP. I really don't want to do that, but I'm not going to put up with an
unstable OS either.

Has anyone else had this kind of problem, or does anyone have any other
suggestions that I could try? Thanks for the help!

One thing you should check is ensure that you have the very latest Vista
drivers for all devices, even though your PC is Vista ready, the drivers may
not be the latest, the PC may have been build 12mths ago and new drivers are
being released regularly.
Go to the Dell website and see if there are any device upgrades or go
directly to the device manufacturers website & check for new ones
Set your MS update service to advise you that upgrade are available but you
install them. Don't install any MS upgrades for you devices,
Even though the driver for the modem installed, was it a Vista driver? If
not that maybe part of your problem.

--
Regards
Bob J
If advise given from anyone, solves problem or not, or if solved from
another source,post back & let us know.
Then we all benefit.



"Frustrated" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just got a new Dell Inspiron 530 (Intel Core2 Duo processor E8200) on
> Friday, with Windows Vista Home Premium on it. I spent the weekend setting
> up the PC and exploring Vista (it's the first time I've used it). Everything
> was working fine until Tuesday morning, when the automatic updates applied
> SP1.
>
> I left the PC on when I went to work as it was installing update 1 of 3 for
> SP1. When I got home, the PC said that Windows was unable to start as asked
> if I wanted it to try to repair itself. It tried that four times and said it
> could not repair the problem. One of the options it gave me was to restore
> to a previous point (pre SP1). I tried that option but Vista still won't
> start.
>
> I finally resorted to the last option it gave me, which was restoring to the
> factory setup as it was delivered to me (which reformats the hard drive).
> After completing this, Vista did start normally. However it immediately told
> me it had 14 updates to apply, after which I was back to the same problem of
> Vista not being able to start.
>
> I made three hardware changes to the PC. I installed a second SATA hard
> drive, I installed a firewire/USB port card, and I installed an old PCI
> modem. The only reason for the modem is that we have a security system, and
> you have to use the modem to connect to it to make any program changes.
> Vista accepted the second hard drive and firewire card fine. It did need to
> download drivers for the modem, but then said it installed fine.
>
> As a last ditch effort (before being on the phone for hours with Dell), I
> plan to disconnect the second hard drive and remove the firewire and modem
> cards. Basically restoring the hardware to the way it left the factory.
> Then I will try restoring the Dell factory image for Vista and seeing if the
> SP1 update works.
>
> I know I could disable automatic updates so that SP1 does not get applied,
> but I think that will cause all kinds of future headaches. If this last
> effort doesn't work, and Dell can't help me out, I'll probably roll back to
> XP. I really don't want to do that, but I'm not going to put up with an
> unstable OS either.
>
> Has anyone else had this kind of problem, or does anyone have any other
> suggestions that I could try? Thanks for the help!
>

As bob said make sure you have the latest drivers.

Also, you can pick and choose which updates you want, you do not have to install SP1 even if you have automatic updates on. Set it to ask before it installs and simply disapprove SP1.

It is recommended to use the standalone SP1 installer instead of the WUAU package.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

32-bit download.


Post Originated from Vista Support Forums

Yes, Vista SP1 also killed my PC. Dell Dimension E520, running Vista Home
Premium. Contacted Dell and had to format to get windows to start.
Computer has worked flawlessly ever sense and I am afraid to try installing
SP1 again. My thing now is, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

"Frustrated" <> wrote in message
news:68C1CF9C-D1CB-495B-8172-...
> Hi,
>
> I just got a new Dell Inspiron 530 (Intel Core2 Duo processor E8200) on
> Friday, with Windows Vista Home Premium on it. I spent the weekend
> setting
> up the PC and exploring Vista (it's the first time I've used it).
> Everything
> was working fine until Tuesday morning, when the automatic updates applied
> SP1.
>
> I left the PC on when I went to work as it was installing update 1 of 3
> for
> SP1. When I got home, the PC said that Windows was unable to start as
> asked
> if I wanted it to try to repair itself. It tried that four times and said
> it
> could not repair the problem. One of the options it gave me was to
> restore
> to a previous point (pre SP1). I tried that option but Vista still won't
> start.
>
> I finally resorted to the last option it gave me, which was restoring to
> the
> factory setup as it was delivered to me (which reformats the hard drive).
> After completing this, Vista did start normally. However it immediately
> told
> me it had 14 updates to apply, after which I was back to the same problem
> of
> Vista not being able to start.
>
> I made three hardware changes to the PC. I installed a second SATA hard
> drive, I installed a firewire/USB port card, and I installed an old PCI
> modem. The only reason for the modem is that we have a security system,
> and
> you have to use the modem to connect to it to make any program changes.
> Vista accepted the second hard drive and firewire card fine. It did need
> to
> download drivers for the modem, but then said it installed fine.
>
> As a last ditch effort (before being on the phone for hours with Dell), I
> plan to disconnect the second hard drive and remove the firewire and modem
> cards. Basically restoring the hardware to the way it left the factory.
> Then I will try restoring the Dell factory image for Vista and seeing if
> the
> SP1 update works.
>
> I know I could disable automatic updates so that SP1 does not get applied,
> but I think that will cause all kinds of future headaches. If this last
> effort doesn't work, and Dell can't help me out, I'll probably roll back
> to
> XP. I really don't want to do that, but I'm not going to put up with an
> unstable OS either.
>
> Has anyone else had this kind of problem, or does anyone have any other
> suggestions that I could try? Thanks for the help!
>

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll give them a try when I get home tonight.
I'm going to try a combination of removing my older hardware, making sure I
have the latest drivers from Dell, and then downloading SP1 and installing it
locally.

I'll post again after I know if it works or not.

Startup Repair Tool - When something causes Windows Vista to start improperly
or not at all, Startup Repair Tool can automatically fix most issues and get
you up and running again with minimal troubleshooting and time wasted.
Source:


<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=E46ECD93-0A4A-4B4F-8718-3D80C2CB1E40&displaylang=en>

Good luck
- -- ---


"Frustrated" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just got a new Dell Inspiron 530 (Intel Core2 Duo processor E8200) on
> Friday, with Windows Vista Home Premium on it. I spent the weekend setting
> up the PC and exploring Vista (it's the first time I've used it). Everything
> was working fine until Tuesday morning, when the automatic updates applied
> SP1.
>
> I left the PC on when I went to work as it was installing update 1 of 3 for
> SP1. When I got home, the PC said that Windows was unable to start as asked
> if I wanted it to try to repair itself. It tried that four times and said it
> could not repair the problem. One of the options it gave me was to restore
> to a previous point (pre SP1). I tried that option but Vista still won't
> start.
>
> I finally resorted to the last option it gave me, which was restoring to the
> factory setup as it was delivered to me (which reformats the hard drive).
> After completing this, Vista did start normally. However it immediately told
> me it had 14 updates to apply, after which I was back to the same problem of
> Vista not being able to start.
>
> I made three hardware changes to the PC. I installed a second SATA hard
> drive, I installed a firewire/USB port card, and I installed an old PCI
> modem. The only reason for the modem is that we have a security system, and
> you have to use the modem to connect to it to make any program changes.
> Vista accepted the second hard drive and firewire card fine. It did need to
> download drivers for the modem, but then said it installed fine.
>
> As a last ditch effort (before being on the phone for hours with Dell), I
> plan to disconnect the second hard drive and remove the firewire and modem
> cards. Basically restoring the hardware to the way it left the factory.
> Then I will try restoring the Dell factory image for Vista and seeing if the
> SP1 update works.
>
> I know I could disable automatic updates so that SP1 does not get applied,
> but I think that will cause all kinds of future headaches. If this last
> effort doesn't work, and Dell can't help me out, I'll probably roll back to
> XP. I really don't want to do that, but I'm not going to put up with an
> unstable OS either.
>
> Has anyone else had this kind of problem, or does anyone have any other
> suggestions that I could try? Thanks for the help!
>

This is what I initially tried when I said the system tried to repair itself.
It tried running the Startup Repair Tool four times in a row. After the
fourth attempt, it said the problem could not be repaired, at which point it
gave me the other options mentioned in my post.

"Engel" wrote:

> Startup Repair Tool - When something causes Windows Vista to start improperly
> or not at all, Startup Repair Tool can automatically fix most issues and get
> you up and running again with minimal troubleshooting and time wasted.

"Frustrated" <> wrote in message
news:3374CBEE-10E3-4F0A-B5F7-...
> This is what I initially tried when I said the system tried to repair
> itself.
> It tried running the Startup Repair Tool four times in a row. After the
> fourth attempt, it said the problem could not be repaired, at which point
> it
> gave me the other options mentioned in my post.
>
> "Engel" wrote:
>
>> Startup Repair Tool - When something causes Windows Vista to start
>> improperly
>> or not at all, Startup Repair Tool can automatically fix most issues and
>> get
>> you up and running again with minimal troubleshooting and time wasted.
>
>

Most problems post-SP1 are driver related or third party software
related, but not all problems. Update your hardware drivers before
installing SP1 by going to the vendors websites and downloading from there.
Do not get your drivers from Windows Update.
I could be wrong, but I think you are facing a hardware issue.

C.B.


--
It is the responsibility and duty of everyone to help the underprivileged
and unfortunate among us.

Well, it was a hardware/driver issue. The first thing I did last night was
to pull the old PCI modem out (since this was the one piece of hardware that
had to search for drivers). When I rebooted without the modem, Vista went
into repair mode (like so many times before) but this time it reported a
conflict with the modem driver and removed it. It then rebooted back up fine!

It's a little scary to me that a single driver (especially one that Vista
installed and reported was working fine) could basically stop the entire PC
from working. Looking back, I don't think SP1 was the issue, especially
since using previous restore points didn't resolve the problem. I think it
must have loaded the modem driver and then started the SP1 installation
shortly after, so the problem didn't appear until SP1 tried to reboot.

I did successfully load SP1 last night, using the network install version.
I'm guessing Windows Update would have been successful as well now, but I had
several replies suggesting the network install so that's what I used.

Thanks to everyone for their help! If you are still in a helpful mood, I'm
just making a new post called "My PC won't stay shut down!" that you could
look at. Thanks again!